Two questions and one stupid extra one.
This is regarding (hopefully) my upcoming iMac purchase. They're not really going to directly impact my purchase (because I believe I'm completely set on buying one 
) but just to help me complement it.
RAM: I don't get how this works. Each model comes with 256MB and is upgradeable to 2G. When you go to the Apple website to purchase memory, it has a list of upgrades. When it says something like 2DIMM 1G, is does that mean they take out the 256er and place in two 512s? Or are they just inserting 2 512s and the 256 stays in its own location? I was told the processor itself has 256 built in, and that adding a 512 for example would still leave a slot available for inclusion later on. Can someone clear that up for me?
Secondly, TV in/out: As far as I know, the iMac sports a mini-VGA port. Does this mean we purchase an adapter such as this (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...10.3.19.1.15.0) and this streams our video the A/V channel we select on our TV? And what about sound? On the other side, does the new G5 support the ability to receive TV picture from a TV, with the help of extra hardware or not? What about from a straight wall aerial socket? I don't really understand how this works but both would be incredibly useful and easy to take advantage of given the computer's minimalistic design and easy portability.
Lastly, I was viewing this movie: http://www.apple.com/imac/video/480.html and I LOVE it. I have tried to download it to save to disk but haven't had much luck. Running it through a GetRight style program (called FlashGet) only downloaded some 1 byte file Quicktime file that wouldn't play in QT. "Save target as..." did the same thing. So is it possible to save to disk, or not due to some stupid streaming problems? Cause I think it's great.
Thanks again for your help people! You all rock.
) but just to help me complement it.RAM: I don't get how this works. Each model comes with 256MB and is upgradeable to 2G. When you go to the Apple website to purchase memory, it has a list of upgrades. When it says something like 2DIMM 1G, is does that mean they take out the 256er and place in two 512s? Or are they just inserting 2 512s and the 256 stays in its own location? I was told the processor itself has 256 built in, and that adding a 512 for example would still leave a slot available for inclusion later on. Can someone clear that up for me?
Secondly, TV in/out: As far as I know, the iMac sports a mini-VGA port. Does this mean we purchase an adapter such as this (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...10.3.19.1.15.0) and this streams our video the A/V channel we select on our TV? And what about sound? On the other side, does the new G5 support the ability to receive TV picture from a TV, with the help of extra hardware or not? What about from a straight wall aerial socket? I don't really understand how this works but both would be incredibly useful and easy to take advantage of given the computer's minimalistic design and easy portability.
Lastly, I was viewing this movie: http://www.apple.com/imac/video/480.html and I LOVE it. I have tried to download it to save to disk but haven't had much luck. Running it through a GetRight style program (called FlashGet) only downloaded some 1 byte file Quicktime file that wouldn't play in QT. "Save target as..." did the same thing. So is it possible to save to disk, or not due to some stupid streaming problems? Cause I think it's great.
Thanks again for your help people! You all rock.
Comments
I found out how to save that movie, so don't bother replying to that particular part of the question!
For anyone else interested, you just search for the movie (*.mov) in your C:, or specifically your Temporary Internet Files, then open it in NotePad. That contains the ACTUAL address of the movie you want to download.
TV out: yup. You've got it. Display the video output on a tv with the proper adapter. Don't recall offhand which ones the iMac ships with.
TV in: nope. No input. There are products such as El Gato's EyeTV that do this though, providing an external box. Some are simply analog video -> DV converters, others have TV tuners and TiVO-esque software.
RAM: I'd have to check the specs of the iMac G5 to be sure of the details, but the general common wisdom is that Apple makes you pay through the nose for RAM. Since it's the same as any other PC RAM (of high quality), you can almost always find it cheaper elsewhere. I *believe* the iMacs include RAM as a user-upgradable piece (ie, no warantee problems). This would save you some $. The 256 'on processor' somebody told you about was the L2 cache for the CPU... way different. (Besides, doesn't this thing have double or quadruple that of L2?)
Okay, so out of the box, the iMac G5s support video-out but might require that cable? And TV-in isn't supported unless you want an extra hardware component? That's fine, that's what I expected. The link below might help prove/disprove what's going on here.
Secondly, taking a look at the iMac G5 specs here (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....3.1.1.0?52,17), looking at the top Select Box. Say I was to choose the 512 option. Would this mean the computer would have 512MB of RAM or 768? And if 768, would I still have an extra slot? I don't get the whole concept of whether you're ADDING Ram or selecting how much total you will have. It says "Choose additional DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) options for your iMac.", so that makes me think the former... still. I dunno/am confused to hell and back.
If you are selecting RAM this is giving you what the overall RAM is, not "adding" to it.
You need to decide how much RAM you need. Apple makes it very hard by reaming its customers on the price of RAM. You might find it cheaper to get the standard 256MB of RAM and then to buy what you want from elsewhere (Ramseeker or Crucial etc). Make sure the place is reputable and had a lifetime guarantee.
This may mean you "orphan" the original 256MB chip, but you could donate it to charity like I did.
I also remember reading somewhere there are performance gains from having two chips of the same size. Can someone confirm this????
I obviously require an upgrade to at least 512, I was hoping (and previously thinking I was getting) 768. So I could only get 768 by getting my memory elsewhere, and even then I would have two different sized blocks. Hmm. I will definitely need to think a bit about this. There is such a price difference between 1G 2DIMM and 1DIMM, which is I suppose what you are talking about. I would just like the option of bumping it up to 2G later on if I find things don't run as smoothly enough. I've heard so much about Mac OS X's dependence on RAM, and that it needs more than 256 to run smoothly. Just how smooth and how much more it would need to be superfast is what I'd love to know. Maybe I should be waiting for some reviews before I go in and make this purchase. (This is my first Mac in 8+ years, I want it to be a memorable experience, and lightning fast usage would pioneer that!)
On the other hand, the reason I am escaping the PC world is because I have decided that I no longer want the power of upgrading and modifying the computer - and with it the responsibility of problems and just anything that can go wrong. That's why the iMac seems perfect. Is getting the RAM cheaper elsewhere and replacing it myself going to bust my chops? Make me wish I'd never removed the back panel in the first case!?
Thanks once more.
Originally posted by WickEd
Ah, okay well at least I have some confirmation on this. Thanks!
. I would just like the option of bumping it up to 2G later on if I find things don't run as smoothly enough. I've heard so much about Mac OS X's dependence on RAM, and that it needs more than 256 to run smoothly.
Win XP is also a RAM hog, and it's not as cool.
Anyway, just pick up a 512MB stick from Crucial.com or elsewhere, and throw it in. Usually this is an easy step. However, you may as well check the price of the RAM. Sometimes Apple's BTO RAM isn't very expensive at all, particularly if you're buying through ADC. (Last mac I bought they paid me $20 to add 512MB). So do check the prices, but also consider that you may get the computer in less time if you get the standard configuration. (I have no idea if this is true.)
However you need to look at what you are using it for. I went from 512MB originally (2x256) and replaced both with 512MB to get a GB.
Did I notice the difference? Honestly not really, but then again I am a very low level user who uses word and browses the internet.
Using an small app called MenuMeters I know I very rarely use more than 512MB. It is only when I start to have 10 apps open that I start to notice the performance increase.
In saying all this 512MB is what I would call a comfortable minimum. You can survive with 256MB but only if you hate yourself.
On that note, when/if it does come time to upgrade at some point in future, how compatible is Ram with the entire Mac lineup? Is it something you can stick in any machine from iMac to PowerMacs? I'm just wondering if eBay would get me a decent price (or any price) on a set of 2x256s 12 months down the track, and this would be directly affected by the amount of people willing to buy the products! Either of you guys have personal experience on this?
Thanks once more for your help. I should probably mention I'm from Australia too, so I'd need to take part in some Googling to find a suitable local or at least Australian retailer for memory.
Originally posted by WickEd
I should probably mention I'm from Australia too, so I'd need to take part in some Googling to find a suitable local or at least Australian retailer for memory.
Mine, mine, mine!
Lucky you've got me then.
Upgrade -> swap RAM - probably not. But you never know your luck in the big city.
http://www.macmall.com.au/mall/customer/home.php
http://www.maccentre.com.au/index.ph...=apple_mac.php
Look! I've saved you money already (haven't put that order in with Apple yet have you?) There may be better deals going but last time I was buying (a while ago) after extensive searching these were about the best I could find. Tho' from memory there was a place in Perth that beat them all. They'll all deliver obviously. Check their RAM prices as well. They're bound to be cheaper than Apple's.
But I am totally confused yet again.
Looking at the Mac Center website, it says
G5 1.8/2 GHz PC3200 2GB/1GB/512MB $995/$395/$220
I'm assuming that's what goes in an iMac G5, although it does state that its PC3200 memory, and the Apple store seems pretty adamant that their DDR400 is for G5 and that it's the most efficient. Regardless, 1GB at Mac Center is $395, while the Apple store sells it for $363. I know the Apple store would only give you the single 1GB and Mac Center you would end up with both the 256 and 1GB extra you buy, but I'm assuming the 1GB would only fit in anyway, so that's silly, isn't it?
Sorry if I'm missing something here.
Then looking at the MacMall page, they only seem to have one set of memory available for the 1.8Ghz G5, (20" 1.8Ghz I am planning on getting). That's 512 (2 sticks) for $230, which works out roughly twice what Apple is charging - but again I understand you would end up with 3x256 because of the one in the computer. Still though, useless unless you have some other computer to put it in!
Anyway, I'm not sure I understand how all this works. Everyone has told me memory elsewhere is infinitely cheaper but I can't work out how.
Thanks again for the sites though, I'll take a look at what other stuff I could get from them as well as memory (if someone explains how it works out being cheaper!)
Originally posted by WickEd
Hey crazychester, great to see someone in the same boat as me!
But I am totally confused yet again.
Looking at the Mac Center website, it says
I'm assuming that's what goes in an iMac G5, although it does state that its PC3200 memory, and the Apple store seems pretty adamant that their DDR400 is for G5 and that it's the most efficient. Regardless, 1GB at Mac Center is $395, while the Apple store sells it for $363. I know the Apple store would only give you the single 1GB and Mac Center you would end up with both the 256 and 1GB extra you buy, but I'm assuming the 1GB would only fit in anyway, so that's silly, isn't it?
Sorry if I'm missing something here.
Then looking at the MacMall page, they only seem to have one set of memory available for the 1.8Ghz G5, (20" 1.8Ghz I am planning on getting). That's 512 (2 sticks) for $230, which works out roughly twice what Apple is charging - but again I understand you would end up with 3x256 because of the one in the computer. Still though, useless unless you have some other computer to put it in!
Anyway, I'm not sure I understand how all this works. Everyone has told me memory elsewhere is infinitely cheaper but I can't work out how.
Thanks again for the sites though, I'll take a look at what other stuff I could get from them as well as memory (if someone explains how it works out being cheaper!)
I think you're looking at Powermac memory prices (iMac G5 maxes out at 1.8 Ghz - the prces you quoted also refer to a 2 Ghz machine so you're probably in Powermac territory.) As far as I could tell at a quick glance neither Macmall or Mac Centre had iMac G5 memory prices up yet.
Ok. Configuring iMac G5 blah blah blah from apple.com.au with 1 GB (2 DIMMs) = $3,562
From Macmall = $3,517.89
Not sure those links will work. Savings at this point aren't great because iMac G5 is new. In 6 months time, the difference between Apple's price and Macmall's will be about $200-300 (maybe I shouldn't tell you that
Anyway, glad to have another Oztralian around because....well because we're so much better than everybody else on the board.