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nickname · Jun 1, 2006, 11:58 PM

I have already decided on getting a 2.0GHz macbook because of the superdrive. But Iwas also thinking, should I upgrade the RAM? is it cheaper if I upgrade it when I buy it or should I just wait and buy one from another manufacturer? I've seen how easy it is to install the ram aswell..

Is it easy to find the exact RAM needed for a macbook? I'm afraid of buying the wrong kind of RAM and wasting my money because i'm not very computer-oriented on the uhh motherboard stuff.

Sorry if this is making no sense, but i'm new to upgrading my computers and such.

greenamp · Jun 2, 2006, 12:13 AM

Yes you should upgrade to at least 1gig, preferably 2gigs if you can afford it.
No, don't buy from Apple.

Look around on this forum, there is a lot of good discussion about RAM brands and vendors.
Pre-grats on the MacBook!

jaydon34 · Jun 2, 2006, 12:15 AM

neva there double the price

jokell82 · Jun 2, 2006, 12:38 AM

The 1gig upgrade from Apple isn't a bad price, but it can be had for cheaper elsewhere.

I recommend getting this ram from Newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220078

Much cheaper than the Apple upgrade and it works great in the MacBook.

nickname · Jun 2, 2006, 12:53 AM

I think I might actually shop around instead of getting it from apple, and thanks for hte feedback!

anyone else know any other places hwere I can buy some good-but-reasonably priced RAM?

Dex4788 · Jun 2, 2006, 03:56 PM

Is that Patriot Ram you linked one stick on a gig? Wouldn't be a bad deal to get it all the way up to 2 gigs for under $200. What are the specs for the ram that can fit into a Macbook?

kizilelma · Jun 2, 2006, 04:02 PM

that RAM fits. Don't buy from Apple, i don't understand how they think they can charge 3x as much for something that is so cheap. That means they're making $400 extra off some people who don't know how to shop around. geez Apple, come on...

greenamp · Jun 2, 2006, 04:50 PM

Yes, Apple is lame about RAM upgrades.

reybart · Jun 2, 2006, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by wholeinoneon19

Is that Patriot Ram you linked one stick on a gig? Wouldn't be a bad deal to get it all the way up to 2 gigs for under $200. What are the specs for the ram that can fit into a Macbook?

Yes! This is the one I am using now and it works perfectly to my macbook.

rambo47 · Jun 2, 2006, 07:19 PM

I bought 2 GB of RAM from OWC and popped it in with no trouble. Total time for the upgrade: 5 minutes. Total cost: $225.

GoDucks · Jun 2, 2006, 08:22 PM

From my perspective, if you're going to upgrade to 1 Gig, you may as well do it through Apple. If you're going for a total of 2 Gigs, you should probably go somewhere else. It's true that Apple does charge more for their RAM. Having said that, if you buy the stock RAM config, buy the 1 Gigs somewhere else, sell the 256 gig chips that it ships with on E-Bay, and then add the RAM yourself, you have probably saved $30 or so from what you would have spent just upgradig the RAM from Apple. If the extra hour or so of your time to do that is worth only $30 or less to you, buy externally. For me, I was happy to pay the extra to have Apple upgrade my machine to 1 Gig. If I was buying 2 gigs though, I would have done it myself as the savings are several hundred dollars that way...

pat++ · Jun 2, 2006, 08:48 PM

Same advice as GoDucks:

1gb upgrade from Apple is not bad, you can get it directly. If you are planning to add 2gb, get it somewhere else as Apple is charging too much.

eltrut · Jun 2, 2006, 10:36 PM

Never buy RAM from Apple. Unless you have too much money.

Guy Kuo · Jun 4, 2006, 04:17 PM

Just installed a pair of Corsair 1 gb DDR2 PC5300's into my MacBook. I can't believe how hard you have to push on the memory modules to get them properly seated. Probably a good 8 pounds or so of pressure alternating on each end was needed. I can how some people will be thinking their new memory is defective if they didn't get them seated. You don't want to break the socket off the motherboard, but you also have to push hard enough to get things seated.

Hint: Notice how far in the modules are when they first meet resistance. They'll need to go in about a 1.5 to 2mm further in to seat. Also, it helps if you check how far in the Apple installed modules are siting BEFORE pulling them out. Then you'll have a point of comparison. My modules sit deep enough that they recess behind the metal bezel by a tiny bit.

Steady, firm pressure on each end gradually nudged mine into position. Pretty scary amount of pressure if like me, you haven't deal with this type of socket.

fesdds · Jun 4, 2006, 04:28 PM

I also agree with GoDucks that the price is reasonable for the 1 gig uprade (yes maybe not the cheapest but sometimes convienence wins), but by no means would I ever pay what they want for 2 gigs

kizilelma · Jun 4, 2006, 05:03 PM

if you're going to get 1 gig, it would be cheaper and more expandable to just buy an $85 single SODIMM from www.newegg.com. Then if you want to move up to 2gigs later, you won't be throwing any RAM away. Point is: Do not buy ANY ram from Apple. It's $100 to go from 512 to 1gig on apple, so ur paying $100 for a 512 stick. It is NOT a good deal at ALL. Plus if u buy a 1 gig stick you'll really have 1.25gigs

danengel · Jun 4, 2006, 05:07 PM

Why is RAM so expensive at the Apple Store, but not HD's? I think RAM should be cheaper because it would make people's OS X run smoother, which is better for the overall image.

TheoCryst · Jun 4, 2006, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by danengel

Why is RAM so expensive at the Apple Store, but not HD's? I think RAM should be cheaper because it would make people's OS X run smoother, which is better for the overall image.

Probably for that exact reason. RAM is pretty necessary, so why not milk it for all its worth? There are plenty of people who would never dream of upgrading their own RAM due to a deep-seated fear of all things electronic. In the end, Apple is just taking advantage of its less technical-savvy customers. Oh well, that's what you get when you deal with a major corporation: raped up the @$$.