Hello everyone,
I wanted to share my experience with trying to determine the difference between Crucial's CT368654 vs CT12864X335 memory sticks. They have exactly the same specs, and vary in price, so I figured I would ask one of their online chat people to explain why I would want to buy one over the other for my Powerbook G4 1.5 15inch. They recommend CT368654, even though CT12864X335 has the same description-1GB, 200-pin SODIMM, DDR PC2700 memory module . The response I got was more than disturbing. I am including the text here.
Welcome to Crucial Technology's Expert Online. An Expert Online agent will join you in a moment... Please do not begin typing until you have been connected to an agent.
Hello, my name is Luke . How may I help you?
Wendy: Hi would Crucial 1GB 200-Pin DDR SO-DIMM DDR 333 (PC 2700) Laptop Memory Model CT12864X335 be compatible with a G4 15inch 1.5 laptop?
Luke : One moment, please, while I review your inquiry.
Luke : If you could provide me with the make and model of your system or the make and model of the motherboard, that would be great.
Wendy: It's an apple Powerbook G4 1.5 processor, 15" display
Luke : One moment, please, while I review your inquiry.
The agent is sending you to
http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...5-inch+Display).
Luke : And yes that part is.
Wendy: It has a different number than where you sent me though
Luke : When you order by advanced search or by motherboard, you are shown the “base” part number. When you order online by system information, you are shown what we refer to as an “external” part number. The part number that you see on your module is the actual module part number. If you order by advanced search or motherboard, the base number is included in the part number in the module. I apologize for any confusion.
Wendy: CT12864X335 vs. CT368654
Wendy: so these are the same thing?
Luke : Yes they are the same thing.
Luke : Is there anything else I can help you with?
Wendy: so this is the same then:
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspe...le=CT12864X335
Wendy: even though it's on a different page on your site?
Wendy: and a different price?
Luke : The are different builds.
Wendy: ? So would the second one work in my powerbook?
Luke : The CT368654 is the one I would recommend.
Wendy: okay, but you said they were the same, but one is $10 more than the other, and I need 2, so that would be $20 more. Are they the same or aren't they?
Luke : They have the same specs but the second one is a different build that should be more stable in your Mac.
Wendy: what does a different build mean?
Luke : The is was placed on different boards.
Luke : Is there anything else I can help you with?
Wendy: What? I didn't understand your response.
Wendy: are you saying that it won't fit in my computer?
Luke : It will fit in you computer and I would recommend the CT368654 even with the added $20 cost for 2.
Wendy: Okay, but I don't feel confident in your reason why. What does a different build mean? If they have the exact same specs, why would I get one over the other?
Wendy: The second one, CT12864X335, even has a price that matches, $54.00 but has a save $10 slash through it.
Luke : You can order ether one the part I recommend will work better but it is up to you.
Wendy: Can you please tell my why?
Luke : We did the different build to make it work better in Macs.
Wendy: okay, can you explain "different build" and how it "works better in macs"?
Luke : No I'm sorry I can't explain the different build in more detail. But "it works better in Macs" means it runs more stable.
Wendy: Why can't you explain the different build?
Luke : I just can't sorry.
Wendy: Because you don't know, or you are not allowed, or why exactly?
Luke : Wendy what do you need to know?
Wendy: Luke, I am just a little confounded by how hard it is to get you to answer the simple question of why you would have the exact same specs on something, but recommend one over the other, without giving me more information other than "it works better, just because."
Luke : It was a slit change that made the inter face with the Mac motherboards run smother it did not change any of the specs on the parts,
Wendy: okay, now we are getting somewhere. I have also read it has something to do with a magic heat dispersing element, is there anything to that? does the other one cause kernel panics?
Luke : yes it could cause the errors and I do believe it had to do with the heat sinks.
Wendy: so when you originally told me that "When you order by advanced search or by motherboard, you are shown the “base” part number. When you order online by system information, you are shown what we refer to as an “external” part number. The part number that you see on your module is the actual module part number. If you order by advanced search or motherboard, the base number is included in the part number in the module." and that they are the same
Wendy: they really aren't?
Luke : I said that in response to you asking about the part CT12864X335 and then say that you saw different part numbers.
Luke : At that time you had not said anything about the part CT.
Luke : CT368654 sorry.
Wendy: I put the CT12864X335 in my original posting and then asked this:
Wendy: "Wendy: CT12864X335 vs. CT368654
Wendy: so these are the same thing?
Luke : Yes they are the same thing."
Luke : I miss spoke there sorry.
Wendy: okay, just wanted to make sure, cuz this conversation has been a bit fishy.
Wendy: to clarify
Wendy: I should order the CT368654 because it is more compatible with my G4 because of a change in the build, a slit change and less heat sinking?
Luke : Yes.
Wendy: hilarious. thanks for your help.
Luke : You're welcome. If there is nothing further I can assist you with, I’d like to thank you for visiting Crucial.com. Have a great day.
As you can see, perfectly clear! Does anyone else have a better explanation than I got in the above post?