I've been reading into all the older threads concerning memory upgrades and there has been a lot of talk concerning cheap memory from places such as NewEgg etc. While for the most part people seem to be happy, I'm considering going with somewhere like datamem or owc. Instead of $150 or $160 for 2 gigs datamem is $210 and owc $217. Is it worth the extra money?
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Datamem/OWC memory worth the price?
- Thread starter Lobos
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I personally don't see why? I bought the g skill for 150 and its works great. Why spend 50-70 more for the same thing?
When you buy from a place like DataMem, you're paying extra for a brand name, the guarantee that it will work, any replacement costs after the sale, and a lifetime warranty. Personally, I went with DataMem when I bought memory for my PowerBook, and my MacBook. The reputation that DataMem carried with them, as well as the lifetime guarantee. I based my choice on the facts that Apple's hardware is notoriously picky when it comes to types of RAM, and that I'd rather be protected if anything went wrong in the future.
I'm not saying that the RAM itself is any better than the other vendors', but in my case, I would rather spend an extra $40 or so for the security in knowing that I'm protected if anything goes wrong in the future. I'm sure there are plenty of people who have purchased value-priced RAM and have been completely happy with it. However, I'd still say that if you don't mind spending the extra money, it's probably worth it to go with a vendor like DataMem.
I'm not saying that the RAM itself is any better than the other vendors', but in my case, I would rather spend an extra $40 or so for the security in knowing that I'm protected if anything goes wrong in the future. I'm sure there are plenty of people who have purchased value-priced RAM and have been completely happy with it. However, I'd still say that if you don't mind spending the extra money, it's probably worth it to go with a vendor like DataMem.
Newegg doesn't service Canadian customers, I don't think, so the choice to go with DMS was really a no-brainer and their prices where 2/3rd of what I can buy locally, even from an OEM supplier!
DMS sold certified RAM so I meant to think they tested it on my particular system to be sure it really works. I can pay a little extra for that!
DMS sold certified RAM so I meant to think they tested it on my particular system to be sure it really works. I can pay a little extra for that!
In the past (PPC machines), Macs could be awfully picky about RAM, and OWC and DMS guaranteed Mac compatibility. That was a big plus for them over the cheapest of the cheap brands. But it seems that the Intel machines have been more tolerant in the RAM department, so people are having increased success with the very cheap RAM.
I have had great success with OWC and DMS and will continue to patronize them. If nothing else, when you buy their RAM, they are both the manufacturer and the vendor, so all warranty issues go through them. If you buy from Newegg, you have to deal with the actual manufacturer if you have a problem. That's not necessarily an issue, but I like to keep things simple.
Edit: Regarding the amount force needed to insert the RAM, it really isn't a function of the cheapness of the RAM (though it can be if their specs are slightly off). You should have to apply a good amount of force to insert any quality of RAM into the slot...you don't want it getting jostled loose over time.
I have had great success with OWC and DMS and will continue to patronize them. If nothing else, when you buy their RAM, they are both the manufacturer and the vendor, so all warranty issues go through them. If you buy from Newegg, you have to deal with the actual manufacturer if you have a problem. That's not necessarily an issue, but I like to keep things simple.
Edit: Regarding the amount force needed to insert the RAM, it really isn't a function of the cheapness of the RAM (though it can be if their specs are slightly off). You should have to apply a good amount of force to insert any quality of RAM into the slot...you don't want it getting jostled loose over time.
Peace of mind. If the lack thereof is worth a few bucks to you, then you're probalby fine with budget stuff. Me, it's worth a little extra to have someone stable backing the RAM and a fairly solid guarantee it's going to work in the system I bought it for.
I actually got to test that out recently; I bought 2 gigs from DMS for an Intel mini, and there was *something* wrong with it. It was a bizarre problem that only manefested when I used both of the DMS sticks together, and even then only when they got heated up--the computer would spontaneously reboot. Absolutely no memory errors, just a reboot.
I contacted DMS about the issue, answered a couple of quick questions, and they had an advanced replacement pair of sticks in my hands three days later with a prepaid shipping label to send the old ones back. Zero cost to me, about as little hassle as I've ever had with a warranty replacement, and the new sticks were perfect.
There was no arguing that "That problem can't possibly be caused by our RAM" or "There must be something wrong with the mini" or some such, just an "I'm really sorry about that, I'll get replacement sticks sent out immediately."
That sort of service validated my choice to go with them, and I can also say that I've been putting their RAM in both Macs and PCs at work for at least 6 years now and that was the first problem I've ever had.
I actually got to test that out recently; I bought 2 gigs from DMS for an Intel mini, and there was *something* wrong with it. It was a bizarre problem that only manefested when I used both of the DMS sticks together, and even then only when they got heated up--the computer would spontaneously reboot. Absolutely no memory errors, just a reboot.
I contacted DMS about the issue, answered a couple of quick questions, and they had an advanced replacement pair of sticks in my hands three days later with a prepaid shipping label to send the old ones back. Zero cost to me, about as little hassle as I've ever had with a warranty replacement, and the new sticks were perfect.
There was no arguing that "That problem can't possibly be caused by our RAM" or "There must be something wrong with the mini" or some such, just an "I'm really sorry about that, I'll get replacement sticks sent out immediately."
That sort of service validated my choice to go with them, and I can also say that I've been putting their RAM in both Macs and PCs at work for at least 6 years now and that was the first problem I've ever had.
Don't buy from Crucial
Take your time and check this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/218162/
Take your time and check this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/218162/
Finding out about Crucial's "dynamic pricing" really put me off of them, even though I used to like their stuff (their prices used to be comparitively lower, as well... or who knows, with the pricing games, maybe they still are and I'm just not shopping right).
However, I do have to credit Crucial with having Mac Pro FB-DIMMS ready to go as of today. Further, they're $10 cheaper than DMS is selling them for on this particular date. I assume the prices will spread out once FB memory becomes more common, but it's interesting.
However, I do have to credit Crucial with having Mac Pro FB-DIMMS ready to go as of today. Further, they're $10 cheaper than DMS is selling them for on this particular date. I assume the prices will spread out once FB memory becomes more common, but it's interesting.