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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Notebooks > Is 640 the most RAM an iBook can take?

Is 640 the most RAM an iBook can take?
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crazymrpib
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May 7, 2003, 05:41 PM
 
I just ordered my new iBook 900 and I think it only has room for 1 512 chip. True?

Is it not possible to put 1gig in...

Hope it is fast enough. Any thoughts? I work in lots of web developing programs and live in Photoshop...

I am pretty sure it will be fine...

Hooray for my first mac... woo woo. Dell convinced me to /switch.
"Could it be my baggy jeans and gold teeth that makes me different from y'all"
     
iamnid
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May 7, 2003, 07:08 PM
 
that is correct
     
jokell82
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May 7, 2003, 07:37 PM
 
That is incorrect. There are now 1 Gb SODIMMs that will fit into the iBook. I haven't tried it but I hear it works...

Still only one slot, though.
     
iamnid
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May 7, 2003, 07:40 PM
 
I dunno... I guess it would work theoretically, but the 1GB DIMMS never worked in the Quicksilvers...

If anyone can try this I'd be interested to know the results.
     
crazymrpib  (op)
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May 7, 2003, 08:48 PM
 
any thoughts on generic ram...

is it risky or no problem?

Thanks,

:cmp:
"Could it be my baggy jeans and gold teeth that makes me different from y'all"
     
iamnid
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May 7, 2003, 10:14 PM
 
Originally posted by crazymrpib:
any thoughts on generic ram...

is it risky or no problem?

Thanks,

:cmp:
As far as I know, it's not risky... it will either work, work erratically, or not work at all.
     
murbot
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May 7, 2003, 10:19 PM
 
Originally posted by jokell82:
That is incorrect. There are now 1 Gb SODIMMs that will fit into the iBook. I haven't tried it but I hear it works...

Still only one slot, though.
Link?

The only 1 GB chips I have ever seen were DDR (PowerBook)...

................
     
BrettOZ
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May 7, 2003, 11:43 PM
 
Be careful on the brand of RAM you use - I have taken a 512MB SODIMM 133MHz out of an iMac TFT and put it in my iBook 800 : it only shows up as 256MB ?

Weird
     
-Q-
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May 8, 2003, 12:44 AM
 
Originally posted by murbot:
Link?

The only 1 GB chips I have ever seen were DDR (PowerBook)...

Neither DealRAM nor RAMSeeker have a 1 GB chip listed for the iBook. The do have 'em for the powerbooks tho'...
     
crazymrpib  (op)
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May 9, 2003, 07:41 PM
 
Originally posted by iamnid:
As far as I know, it's not risky... it will either work, work erratically, or not work at all.

hmmm... does this mean that generic RAM is risky... hmmm...

just wondering as I want something that will work....

on ramseeker, they have two kinds generic and some name brand... would you (anyone) buy the generic brand and save bucks? Or is it better to just throw down for the name brand stuff?

Thanks

:cmp:
"Could it be my baggy jeans and gold teeth that makes me different from y'all"
     
AssassyN
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May 10, 2003, 11:38 AM
 
Originally posted by murbot:
Link?

The only 1 GB chips I have ever seen were DDR (PowerBook)...

Correct; the newly released 1GIG DIMMs are DDR2100 made specifically for the 12" AlBook. At current time, unless I'm terrible mistaken, there's no 1GIG DIMM for the iBook.

However, 640MB is nothing to sneeze at, and it should handle your work just fine. And CONGRATS on switching to the LightSide...you'll love it here.

BTW, on every computer I've ever owned (save for the 17" PB I have) I've used generic RAM without a single issue. The only reason I got Apple-installed RAM on the 17" PB is b/c the RAM was discounted as well with my ADC Discount. The best places for Mac RAM are:

www.ramseeker.com
www.18004memory.com
www.otherworldcomputing.com
5G 60GB video iPod
512MB iPod Shuffle
Westone UM1 Canalphones
     
crazymrpib  (op)
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May 12, 2003, 09:50 PM
 
awesome! Thanks.

\(^o^)/ hooray!
"Could it be my baggy jeans and gold teeth that makes me different from y'all"
     
iamnid
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May 12, 2003, 10:51 PM
 
Originally posted by crazymrpib:
hmmm... does this mean that generic RAM is risky... hmmm...

just wondering as I want something that will work....

on ramseeker, they have two kinds generic and some name brand... would you (anyone) buy the generic brand and save bucks? Or is it better to just throw down for the name brand stuff?

Thanks

:cmp:
buy the cheap stuff... if it doesn't work, just get the other stuff. I've always bought the cheap stuff and never had any problems with it.
     
stace
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May 12, 2003, 11:10 PM
 
i wasn't sure if this ram would be ok for a new ibook 900
when i emailed the store that sold it,
www.canadacomputers.com
which has pretty awesome pricing
but they sent me a "we can't answer any compatibility questions, we are not resposible for anything that happens to your computer" then they seemed kind of upset that i was getting a mac,

brand = kingmax

link

oh ya, and i'm getting confused with this pc 100, pc 133 thing
lol, i'm not the most knowledgable person when it comes to computers, but i'm guessing since 133 is a bigger number, its better

(i'm obviously a pc user with that megahertz myth thing going for me)
     
ctisevn
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May 12, 2003, 11:34 PM
 
Originally posted by stace:

oh ya, and i'm getting confused with this pc 100, pc 133 thing
lol, i'm not the most knowledgable person when it comes to computers, but i'm guessing since 133 is a bigger number, its better

(i'm obviously a pc user with that megahertz myth thing going for me)
100/133 refers to the system bus speed. either one should work with neither being better in your ibook as its got a 100mhz bus.
     
andretan
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May 12, 2003, 11:35 PM
 
For the 100 and 133 speeds thingy, the iBook can only reach 100mhz max on the RAM. That's the limit.

However, machines like the TiBooks support up to 133mhz (aka PC-133), and these ram chips are able to choose which speed to use. In the case of the iBook, it uses pc-100 and for the TiBooks, it picks the pc-133 speed.

mac.goodies webstore / Switched to an iBook in November 2002. Never looking back.
iBook R.I.P. 20 Nov 2002 - 2 Aug 2005
Hello Leopard! On iMac 17" Intel Core Duo 1.83GHz 2GB, iPod 5th gen 30GB and iPhone
     
stace
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May 12, 2003, 11:55 PM
 
i should have split up my messag wee better,
my second question is definately answered,
and i thank you kindly

but the first one
the kingmax memory, (heres the link for the specs site http://www.kingmax.com/product/pro_p...C23S-38KX3.htm )
will it work in the new ibooks?

-stace ;)
     
ccsccs7
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May 15, 2003, 05:21 AM
 
The page states that the RAM is made with 125MHz and 133MHz components. Does this signify incompatibility?

I noticed on another site RAM that supportns PC100 and PC133 standards. Are these two related? (Components and standards)
12" Powerbook 1.5GHz/SuperDrive, 1.25GB Ram, 80GB HD, Airport Extreme, Mac OS X 10.4.11 Tiger
iBook (Late 2001)600MHz/Combo, 640MB RAM, 20GB HD, Airport, Mac OS X 10.3.9 Panther — web server
     
-Q-
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May 15, 2003, 09:29 AM
 
Originally posted by stace:
but the first one
the kingmax memory, (heres the link for the specs site http://www.kingmax.com/product/pro_p...C23S-38KX3.htm )
will it work in the new ibooks?

-stace
It's PC-133 RAM. It should work...it should just slow itself down to the 100 MHz bus speed of the iBook.

However, based on the test from this site, it's not really worth the money unless you have a 133 system bus. The key quote is below:

Given these kind of results, there really is no reason to get PC-133 RAM over PC-100 when running at bus speed below 133Mhz.
If you can find PC-100 RAM for cheaper, buy it. If the prices are similar, then buy the 133.
     
davidcarr
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May 16, 2003, 09:31 AM
 
Originally posted by iamnid:
As far as I know, it's not risky... it will either work, work erratically, or not work at all.
I purchased RAM on eBay from MACRAMDIRECT and am extremely pleased! I bought 512 MB for $109 US. I had it in within 4 days and I live in Canada. The RAM works perfectly.
iBook 900
640MB RAM
40 GB HD
Airport
     
Peter
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May 16, 2003, 10:32 AM
 
I maxed out the ram this morning (my b'day today) and the speed increase is insane!
The iBook now seemingly flies.
we don't have time to stop for gas
     
leffo
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May 16, 2003, 11:41 AM
 
Originally posted by PeterClark2002:
I maxed out the ram this morning (my b'day today) and the speed increase is insane!
The iBook now seemingly flies.
Congratulations and change your signature already!
     
Peter
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May 16, 2003, 12:09 PM
 
Originally posted by leffo:
Congratulations and change your signature already!
Good point, cheers
we don't have time to stop for gas
     
crazymrpib  (op)
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May 16, 2003, 05:55 PM
 
Originally posted by PeterClark2002:
I maxed out the ram this morning (my b'day today) and the speed increase is insane!
The iBook now seemingly flies.
Glad to hear that! I was a little concerned because my 900 iBook feels like it is running slow... significantly slower than my p3 700, 256...

Mine only came with 128, and I ordered 512 yesterday... hopefully I will have the same experience...

1... 2... 3.... ZOOOOOM!!!!

:cmp:
"Could it be my baggy jeans and gold teeth that makes me different from y'all"
     
escher
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May 17, 2003, 02:41 PM
 
Originally posted by PeterClark2002:
I maxed out the ram this morning (my b'day today) and the speed increase is insane!
The iBook now seemingly flies.
Peter: How much RAM did you have in it before? 128? 256? I have 320 (64+256) in my iBook/500 right now, and I've been thinking about getting a 512MB stick. But I'm also thinking about getting a 5400rpm IBM Travelstar 40GNX. I wonder which will/would improve OS X performance more, faster HDD or more RAM?

Escher
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Until we get a 3 lbs sub-PowerBook, the 12-inch PowerBook will do.
     
Peter
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May 17, 2003, 03:28 PM
 
Originally posted by escher:
Peter: How much RAM did you have in it before? 128? 256? I have 320 (64+256) in my iBook/500 right now, and I've been thinking about getting a 512MB stick. But I'm also thinking about getting a 5400rpm IBM Travelstar 40GNX. I wonder which will/would improve OS X performance more, faster HDD or more RAM?

Escher
I did have 128Mb, so the speed difference was mad!
I think more ram would make a larger speed difference.
we don't have time to stop for gas
     
crazymrpib  (op)
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May 22, 2003, 04:40 PM
 
I put 512 more in and now I am at 640. It is nice but I wouldn't call it blinding.

Loading programs is still a bit slow in my opinion. Meaning... the little dock icon does its bouncy thing for a bit and then it loads... I think it is just the way the OS functions...

multitasking with photoshop is good tho.

Sorta wish programs would go zoom when they open. But I am getting used to it.

Could also be the G3 processor. Is OS X heavy on the processor?

:cmp:
"Could it be my baggy jeans and gold teeth that makes me different from y'all"
     
   
 
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