[biscuit]

Hi,

I'd like to max out my iBook's memory, but I've got a bit of a conflict regarding RAM. Crucial says PC2700, Kingston says PC2100 and Apple says "mid 2005" models take PC2700. My machine was purchased in April 2005 and the current 512 chip is PC2100.

So, which do I need? Does it really make a difference anyway? If I buy new it doesn't really matter because Crucial's chip is less than Kingston's anyway. However, I was going to use eBay, where PC2100 chips are about half the price of PC2700 (in the UK anyway).

Any advice gratefully received,

Cheers,

biscuit

[Sherman Homan]

Are you sure that your existing chip is PC2100? Two more sources that I checked all state that the mid 2005 G4 iBook needs PC2700.
Mactracker
macsolutions.com

[Peter]

if your iBook needs PC2700, PC2100 will work -- it'll just be slower.

[ibook_steve]

Originally Posted by Peter 

if your iBook needs PC2700, PC2100 will work -- it'll just be slower.

Wrong. It's the other way around. If it needs PC2100, using PC2700 will work because it will work at the slower speed. Get PC2700. It will be cheaper and more compatible since it's newer. If a machine requires PC2700, PC2100 will be too slow and it won't work.

Steve

[Sherman Homan]

Here is what I think: If your existing chip is PC2100 then your iBook is a "Late 2004" model. The PC2700 chip will work, although it won't be any faster than a PC2100. The "Mid 2005" models require the PC2700 chip and will not work with the slower PC2100. If the PC2700 is more money, then go with another PC2100. Mixing chip speeds will always default to the slowest chip.

[jokell82]

Originally Posted by ibook_steve 

Wrong. It's the other way around. If it needs PC2100, using PC2700 will work because it will work at the slower speed. Get PC2700. It will be cheaper and more compatible since it's newer. If a machine requires PC2700, PC2100 will be too slow and it won't work.

Steve

Actually the computer should still work with the slower ram, it would just underclock itself as necessary.

[mduell]

The "mid 2005" model was released in July, so you have the late 2004 model which requires PC2100. PC2100, 2700, or 3200 will work.

[biscuit]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I did a bit more looking myself and according to Apple's serial number checker it is a Late 2004 model. Good to know that the 2005 models were in July though, I'm certain now. This page at Apple Support confirms that it needs PC2100.

I should probably go for that, since anything else is going to be wasted. It's a little bit tricky to get new for much less than PC2700 though. eBay it is then!

Thanks again everyone.

biscuit

[jokell82]

Originally Posted by biscuit 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I did a bit more looking myself and according to Apple's serial number checker it is a Late 2004 model. Good to know that the 2005 models were in July though, I'm certain now. This page at Apple Support confirms that it needs PC2100.

I should probably go for that, since anything else is going to be wasted. It's a little bit tricky to get new for much less than PC2700 though. eBay it is then!

Thanks again everyone.

biscuit

I wouldn't go to ebay for ram. Just get some 2700 if it's cheaper than the 2100.

[barang]

wow, I'm totally confused.

I have a 2005 iBook, will i be able to put pc2100 in it?

And what is the worst that could happen if I put the wrong one in; will it not work, or will it hurt the hardware?

[Sherman Homan]

The worst that could happen is...nothing! If your iBook needs faster ram than you put in, then it either won't start up, or it won't recognize the new ram. But it won't hurt the Mac.
Try this:
Mactracker - Get info on any Mac
It has all the info you need to figure out what type of ram you need for your model.