[jdc45]

I have a new G4 12" Combo Drive iBook with 256 and I want to take it to 512. Now do I need to buy a 512 card or is there an extra slot for an other 256? Can I do this by myself without voiding the warrenty, or do I need to take it to an Apple Store? If I must buy the 512 card, what the hell do I do with me 256 card? Thanks

[krx]

Well, first, if it's new it ought to already have 512 MB, since that's standard - or by new do you mean "refurbished" or "used"? In any case, there is an extra slot if you want to increase your RAM, any you can typically do it yourself w/out voiding the warranty.

Also, do a search on this site for memory - there are a ton of informative threads on this subject.

[jdc45]

thanks for the info krx

[toffe]

While you are at it, spend a few extra bucks and put as much as it fits (that's what i did, and it's worth it i tell you)

I would atleast recommend that you put 512 EXTRA (not just 256).

[CanadaRAM]

The machine has either 256 Mb built in, or if it is the latest 1.33 or 1.42 model, 512 Mb built in. Then, there is a single empty SODIMM socket for a DDR SODIMM. Although you could put in a 256 Mb that's pretty inefficient, I would recommend like toffe either a 512 Mb SODIMM or a 1 Gb SODIMM.

You will not be pulling out any memory if your machine is a stock 256 Mb model... that built in memory is soldered onto the logic board.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

[toffe]

I put a 1Gb chip in mine (giving me 1,25Gb ram) And i absolutely love it.

Just to test, i'm now running, on Tiger: Safari, Mail, Adressbook, iCal, iTunes (playing), iPhoto (with 6564 in library), iMovie (playing a 101Mb movie), iDVD, GarageBand (playing a song), Quicktime (playing a small movie trailer), photoshop elements 3, skype, preview, and activity control, and airport + bluetooth are turened on

(i must say that the iMovie does not play the movie smoothly, but i am also pressing the processor/mem usage)

Activity control says about mem usage:
Used: 1,22 Gb
Free: 26,16 Mb
Active: 748,80 Mb
Inactive: 369,30 Mb
Virtual Memory: 7,54 Gb

Now when i run only the standard programs as:
safari, mail, adressbook, iCal, iTunes, skype, preview
it says:
Used: 816,71 Mb
Free: 463,6 Mb
Virtual memory: 5,43 Gb
(others are about the same)

Ok, then everyone migth ask, what was the point doing that.
Well, i wanted to know myself, and from it you can see that when you use standard porgrams you can be just fine with 768 (you put in an extra 512 in an ibook with 256 built in)

That is today.

But if you later need more memory, then atleast i would not feel so ok about having to throw away a 512 memory stick. i'd put as much as possible rigth away. but ofcourse, it is a economy issue as well.
And it depends what you will be using your ibook to.

A friend told me when i was about to get my ibook and i wondered how much memory i would put in, and he said that with 768 Mb you are fine, and you'd only need 1,25Gb if you were editing HD movies (which i am not).

But i like the fact that swapping between programs with exposé does not cause anything to lag, it changes instantly, no beachball.

One last point. With more memory, the processor does not need to put stuff temporarily to the HD as much (the virtual memory thingy), and that is the most slow thing on a computer.

Ok. Anyone can correct me if i have said something that is not correct.
it's just my thougths..

Hey. Congratulatiuons to your new iBook.

[toffe]

Gee, that was a long post. Sorry about that