[yally04]

I'm about to buy a new iBook to replace another one that's a year old (1 ghz model). There's an extra 512 stick in the old machine that I got from an even older machine (800 mhz), so it's almost two years old.

My question is, how long does it take for RAM to go bad? I could just pull the old RAM and stick it in the brand new machine, but I wonder if for reliability's sake it be worth just buying a new stick and getting a price premium when I sell the old (1 ghz) machine.

If you suggest buying new RAM, where would you get it? With an edu discount I can get 512mb for $135. What's a cheaper, reputable manufacturer and seller?

Thanks.

[CanadaRAM]

Problem: Your existing RAM is probably PC2100, the new iBook is specified for PC2700.

Plus, you want a 1 Gb module in the new machine anyway.

Frankly, Scarlett, your education discount sucks... :-)

You can get the RAM from a reputable Mac online dealer for US$59 for 512 or $144 for 1 Gb.

in the USA I recommend Data Memory Systems http://www.datamem.com/viewcat.asp_Q_C_E_1176

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

[yally04]

Oh, jeez, you're right about the speed. Well, that's good to know.

I know the discount sucks but I've always had Apple RAM, and I was just hoping the spread between that and decent non-Apple stuff wouldn't be too ridiculous.

As for getting a 1 Gb module, that seems excessive web browsing, email, and word processing. That said, keeping 40-50 tabs open all the time eats into any amount pretty quickly. SAFT is a godsend!

How do you feel about Crucial.com?

[CanadaRAM]

Crucial makes OK RAM, nothing wrong with it, we even sell it in Canada. Don't particularly like some of their pricing policies online though.

Because you have but one memory socket, if you put 512 in now and want more later, you have to jettison the 512. Rule of thumb is you ALWAYS max out the first socket (in theis case, the only socket).

Remember that Apple is selling the same RAM you get from a good third party seller, except Apple charges more and offers only one year warranty. The Apple 1 Gb is the same Samsung module that Data Memory Systems sells for US$155 and Crucial sells for $193

[yally04]

Their warranty does look pretty sweet. But I can't imagine ever needing 1.5 gigs of RAM, at least not before the Intel-based iBooks come out. My current 768 has been pretty good to me unless I leave a ridiculous number of tabs open for days and days. We'll see though. Thanks for the quick responses.

[yally04]

By the way, what's the deal with RAM marked Samsung original? Is it worth trying to buy that?

Also, why do they have so many different iBook models listed:

iBook G4 1.33GHz (M9846B/A) 12"
iBook G4 1.33GHz (M9846D/A) 12"
iBook G4 1.33GHz (M9846LL/A) 12"
iBook G4 1.33GHz (M9846X/A) 12"

What's the difference?