[Yeast]

I finally bought a 12 inch powerbook today after months of wrangling about iBook vs PB, waiting for updates, buying in the face of a move to Intel, and every other possible "problem." This is my first portable and I am pretty excited.

1) Where do I get some good ol' fashioned reliable RAM? I need to crank up this bad boy and I'll need shipping to Canada.

Is is easy to install? Or will I be like Edward Scissorhands?

2) Bag? Sleeves? What do I need? That huge thread at the top scares me.

3) I'm planning on hooking up my 12 inch to a 20 ACD. Do I need a stand? A cooler?

4) Any other trinkets that helps make your PB experience?

I spent 7 years using a Bondi iMac. I'm ready to bring it.

Thanks a lot. I'm an excited wreck and need to be spoonfed.

[Helmling]

I can't help...but I thought I'd just drool with envy in your general direction.

[Yeast]

Originally Posted by Helmling

I can't help...but I thought I'd just drool with envy in your general direction.

Helmling.

Man, that actually does help a lot. I wanna make sure I'm not having any buyer's remorse about buying at the end of a product cycle. That envy hit the spot!

[sxates]

Well, I just upgraded my 15" PB with 2GB of ram from newegg.com, where I have spent thousands of dollars, and they are a great online retailer. I think the 2x 1GB Kingston ram was about $214--much cheaper than from apple.

Speaking of, I now have 2x256 chips that I removed, and are for sale if you want them

[sxates]

Oh, and the ram is very easy to install--just 4 little screws on the bottom, and the ram pops out easily. hardest part is probably finding a screw driver that can handle the tiny screws

[Flip500]

1) try Kingston I think that it ships to Canada, but the site looks for stores near you... and RAM is relitivly easy to install, I think you could do it.

2) You don't NEED anything, you could just put your PB in a backpack... but it's alot safer to have a small portable bag. I have/love/recommened Timbuk2 Bags.

3) Don't know so I'm not even going to try...

4) In my opinion any of the good freeware apps. that you can get off the internet are great, I have a bunch of stuff like to monitor how hard my CPU is working and what the heat of my computer is ect.

[Yeast]

Thanks for all the help people. This might actually turn out.

I've been reading the forums and picking up tips where possible. Still a little bit unsure about the RAM.

Is it best to pay a premium or do people try and nickle dime it a bit? I'm looking at a 1 GB stick from Kingston (thanks Flip) for 236 USD and a 1GB stick from zipzoomfly.com (also a Kingston) for 100 USD.

Here are the two links:

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/conf...submit1=Search

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...ctCode=80068-1

Thoughts?

Anyone want to place odds on me being right back here when I try to install the RAM?

[sxates]

The zipzoomfly should be fine. I got my Kingston ram at about that price--its normal for manufacturers to charge more than the high volume discount shops like zzf or newegg.

[Yeast]

sxates: Nice. I certainly can't argue with that price.

http://www.18004memory.com/cart/addc...ippingmethod=0

Here's another Kingston chip for 175 - is it all kind of the same sh*t different pile? I guess as long as I order the proper KIND of RAM I should be fine.

[corman842]

Flip500: Dane Cook rocks the socks.

[mad cow disease]

Newegg recently jacked the prices up on their memory about 15-20%. I picked up some Kingston ValueRAM for around $110 last week shipped and it's now close to $130.

At that price, the Corsair Value Select is attractively priced at $126 shipped from ZZF.

Corsair is a top-notch RAM maker, probably the best there is.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...tCode=80098-03

[brettcamp]

try ramseeker.com, which compares prices from all major vendors. Be sure to get a guarantee to replace if defective -- all reputatble vendors will offer one.
Other stuff -- an external keyboard to use with your ACD, AppleCare, maybe some travel speakers (I use Altec lansing with my 12" and my iPod), airport express?

[Yeast]

I'm likin' it. In light of Mad Cow Disease's statement that Corsair is among the best RAM makers around I think I'm going to use that link. $126 seems like a nice compromise of quality/value. Thanks a lot.

Brettcamp: Do you like the Altec Lansings? Speakers are definitely a must. Airport Express is being shipped along with my 12inch guy.

I was thinking of maybe going with both a wireless keyboard and mouse to really get that streamlined effect? Good idea?

[Darthmaul4114]

Originally Posted by sxates

Well, I just upgraded my 15" PB with 2GB of ram from newegg.com, where I have spent thousands of dollars, and they are a great online retailer. I think the 2x 1GB Kingston ram was about $214--much cheaper than from apple.

Speaking of, I now have 2x256 chips that I removed, and are for sale if you want them

qft. im going to get a stick of kingston 1GB ram from newegg as soon as i get my next paycheck. i love newegg. i think ive had one instance where ive ordered on like a tuesday morning and its arrived wednesday afternoon...with FREE SHIPPING mauahhaa.

anyways, theres a sticky thread at the top of the powerbook forum about bags/cases/sleeves

[Flip500]

First) corman842: OH YEAH! (I just got his new CD, it's frickin amazing!)

Second) I see you guys really got RAM covered so I'll go to third.

Third) Go to Apple's website and some where on there, there DEFINATLY is a guide of how to install RAM.

[easyc]

Nice choice on the comp. I have been running my "pimped" powerbook for about a year now. I highly recommend a brenthaven case as they have ones that fit our 12" perfectly. You are definately heading in the right direction with the ram. I got my 1GB from dms (www.datamem.com) mainly because it was guarenteed. I would also recommend the iCurve for a stand. It goes well with the ACD.
Getting back to total pimping of a PB, I am waiting to pop in one of these babies http://www.seagate.com/cda/products/...81,669,00.html if they ever begin shipping.
I don't believe that your gen 12" has this problem as bad but mine (1.33GHz) gets real hot when hooked up to a 20" Cinema display. So hot that once I get going on it the fan goes full out. So of course I have been working one rigging up a small dual fan setup under my iCurve from a hard drive cooler.
Cheers on the choice of comp. You won't regret it.

[d.fine]

Check page 55 on how to install RAM

[Yeast]

Okay, apparently I chose to not use the "ask the audience" lifeline and went out on my own for the RAM purchase. If I messed up I will thoroughly deserve it.

http://www.18004memory.com/cart/addc...p;itemTYPE=cat

The other suggestions were good, but I had a philishophical problem with paying 60 USD for fairly slow shipping to Canada at zipzoomfly. A guy has to take a stand... hopefully this RAM will be all right.

EasyC: I'm definitely in the market for an iCurve. Thanks for the recommendation.

Incidentally, on the topic of cinema displays, I went in to a computer store today to see about the alleged fan problem with a cinema display. The guy hooked up the 12inch 'Book (512 MB) to a 23 inch ACD and we fired up every program under the sun trying to MAKE the fans go on. We only fiddled with it for about 30 minutes but we couldn't get the fans to kick in. Is the 12 inch hair dryer rumors overrated? I was pretty impressed.

Now I'm starting to get frisky and think about hooking up the 12 to a 23 inch display. But I know the right move is probably the 20.

[Fusion]

I have a 23" ACD and hook up my 15" powerbook all the time. I will be moving to a 12" powerbook, and will still be using the 23" ACD, so I hope it's a good combo. I'd really recommend the 20 over the 23 though. I've noticed that half my screen real estate is normally unused, especially after being used to the 15" powerbook screen, there is just so much screen on the 23" that I don't know what to do with it all. I am too used to working on a smaller screen.

You'll love the 20"!

[Yeast]

Fusion: Noted and appreciated. Thanks. It makes the decision especially easy when the 20 inch is about half the price of the 23 inch.

Hmmm now where else can I put that money to good use?

Did anyone have a look at that RAM I selected? Everything A-Team on that?

[easyc]

well I believe there is a thread on here somewhere about the fans, but I believe it is mainly concerning the generation of the powerbook. Unfortunately mine runs all the time once I get it started up. I don't mind the sound, it is just that I don't want my fan to ware out. If my HD cooler idea ends up working I will probably be upgrading to a 23" at home. But again I believe in the other thread if was confirmed that the latest gen 12"PB don't have the singing fan. My buddy just got a 1.5GHz 12" I will see if I can hook it up and compare both.
Also I forgot to mention earlier that I would recomend getting a second battery if you use yours ALOT without the power cord.

[brettcamp]

Originally Posted by Yeast

Brettcamp: Do you like the Altec Lansings? Speakers are definitely a must. Airport Express is being shipped along with my 12inch guy.

I was thinking of maybe going with both a wireless keyboard and mouse to really get that streamlined effect? Good idea?

The altecs really put out a good sound for their size. In fact, my wife uses them as h er regular desktop speakers with her 15" PB when I'm not traveling and using them with my iPod or 12" PB. I asked if she wanted to just take my stereo speakers (OK, I confess, I wanted to buy some Altec 6021 computer speakers that have been much praised around here) but she said, no, she was happy with just the inMotions. It wouldn't be enough for me as my only speakers, but for a hotel or maybe dorm room, they're surprisingly strong and decent bass response. but with speakers, I'd recommend listening to them in a store, and playing the kind of music you'd be likely to play on them at the volume you'd like.

My keyboard and mouse are the old fashioned kind and I don't mind the wires. I like my iCurve, too.

[Yeast]

Pimping Progress:

I am sitting in front of my 12 inch Powerbook and my 20 inch display. Memory maxed to 1.25 GB and my cute little 12 inch 'Book is sitting on an iCurve. The iCurve rules. This screen spanning thing has me absolutely transfixed. The 20 inch ACD coupled with the awesome portability of the 12 incher this will be my best setup ever. The fan on the Powerbook has not went on once in the two days I've had it connected. It doesn't seem like the monitor cranks up the heat that much.

I picked up the Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer and was diggin' it. Comfortable in my banana hands, well placed buttons, and a smooth feeling scroll wheel. Unfortunately, I realized there was also a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 2.0 Suffice to say, that changed everything. Because version 2.0 contains the all-important "horizontal tracking." I've got both in front of me and it seems like version 2.0 is a little bit faster. Anyone use these mice? Anyone want to make the case for a different mouse?

I am also going crazy trying to decide between Soundsticks II (169 USD, JBL Creature Speakers II (95 USD), and JBL Duet Spakers (50 USD). Is there any appreciable difference for a dude who just wants to turn that mother out for a few drunk people now and again?

Love Airport Express. However, I am in graduate student housing where there are probably a lot of students nearby with wireless cards. Do I need to take any security steps?

EasyC - does Brenthaven have a case for the 12 incher? Selecting a case or bag or case/bag is becoming a growing problem. I need someone to outright order me to get a particular brand!

Of course, all of these are good problems stemming from my irrational love for my new Powerbook.

[mpancha]

Originally Posted by Yeast

Pimping Progress:

Love Airport Express. However, I am in graduate student housing where there are probably a lot of students nearby with wireless cards. Do I need to take any security steps?

I wish I had a PB

with the APExpress.... I have one and have used it both with a wifi router to only be used as a conduit between my laptop and surround sound system, where it worked great.

I have also used it as a wifi AP and sound system conduit....

in the first, my wireless router (linksys something) had WPA enabled.
In the second, I had the AP Express set to use WPA.

Its always best to use some form of encryption in the wifi world, especially in dorms/student housing. It only takes about 5 seconds to setup as well Just run the "Airport Setup Assistant" in the Applications\Utilities folder. Hope that helps.

[Helmling]

I've got an argument against the mice...they're Microsoft!

I just ditched my wireless MS mouse in favor of my (back-ordered) Mighty Mouse.

I'd say, "wait for the Wireless Mighty Mouse." It shouldn't be long.

[Yeast]

Helmling: True, I do feel a bit dirty every time I use Microsoft. Maybe I'll compromise with a Logitech until the cordless Mighty Mouse comes out.

Mpancha: Thanks for the advice on the Airport Setup Assistant. After wrestling with some technical problems I am up and running with 128 bit encryption.

[Agent69]

Helmling,

I have used a Microsoft mouse with my Macs since 2002 and I have to say that I enjoy it. Microsoft might make bad software but I find their mice to be fine.

[Helmling]

Oh, I have too. They also have a good warranty. That's why I have a collection of a half-dozen semi-functional MS mice.

I just try to boycott Microsoft because they are such a horrible monopoly. Same as Walmart.