More important? RAM or 10.4

[CanadaRAM]

Do you guys think the RAM prices for these pbooks will go up or down, now that they are no longer making powerbooks?

It depends which Powerbook. The latest HD screen/DL superdrive model uses DDR2-533 MHz RAM so is in the current sweet spot, this RAM will continue to be competitive (after a short blip earlier this year due to shortages). Like an earlier poster said, RAM prices follow a smile-shaped curve; insane when first introduced, and when out of availability, and responding to competition and demand in the middle.

The earlier Powerbooks with DDR PC2700 RAM will see a slow rising in relative cost of RAM as manufacturers phase out DDR fabrication in favour of DDR2 fabrication -- just like we see the yet-earlier Powerbook PC133 SDRAM models now at a higher cost-per-megabyte than DDR.

I don't believe OWC guarantees Mac-compatibility and has a lifetime warranty. If I'm wrong, please correct me.

OWC (Other World Computing) aka macsales.com is a longtime Mac supporting seller, and have many fans, here in MR and elsewhere. I would trust their knowledge and guarantees. Also, if you are in the USA check out Data Memory Systems who are an excellent company.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

 

[~Shard~]

OWC (Other World Computing) aka macsales.com is a longtime Mac supporting seller, and have many fans, here in MR and elsewhere. I would trust their knowledge and guarantees. Also, if you are in the USA check out Data Memory Systems who are an excellent company.

Thanks Trevor, I stand corrected. Thanks for enlightening me.

 

[Platform]

RAM....you don't seem eager for the Tiger features then get the RAM....Tiger would only see a real speed up with 1GB+ RAM

 

[Cloudgazer]

An Apple reseller here has claimed that I can use DDR2 for my powerbook.
Is this true?

Can you mix DDR and DDR2 modules in the same machine?

EDIT: OK, there was a bit of confusion with the Apple Reseller. They have confirmed I need DDR, but they said its DDR 400, and I was under the impression its DDR333.

does this make a difference?

Also, is Kingston a decent brand, is it recommended?

 

[emaja]

An Apple reseller here has claimed that I can use DDR2 for my powerbook.
Is this true?

No. They have different pin configurations. Same number of pins, but the notch is in a different place. It won't even fit, much less work.

Can you mix DDR and DDR2 modules in the same machine?

Again, no.

EDIT: OK, there was a bit of confusion with the Apple Reseller. They have confirmed I need DDR, but they said its DDR 400, and I was under the impression its DDR333.

does this make a difference?

The spec is for DDR333, but you can use DDR400. You just won't realize any of the (minimal) speed gains that might be had. If the price for the DDR400 is more than DDR333, don't waste your money.

Also, is Kingston a decent brand, is it recommended?

Kingston is a good brand, but some people have not had success with it. I would stick with someone who guarantees that it will work with your Mac and will take it back for refund or exchange if it does not.

 

[Dreadnought]

BTW, we have the same display pic.

Then you must have stolen it from me. I made this pic myself with my mobile. It's the back of my iBook at night, when it was still working... Memories o sweet memories!

 

[Gurutech]

If you have less than 1g, definitely go for the RAM

 

[corywoolf]

I felt like I needed to add RAM after I upgraded my iMac from Panther to Tiger. I only use a few widgets, but I think that draws on your memory.

So after I upgraded to Tiger I got another 512 stick (for 1 gig total). I then ended up passing that computer on to my mother and got a new iSight iMac and added 1 gig right away (1.5 total).

I think you need at least 1 gig for Tiger to run nicely.

No, you just need 640 MB for it to be comfortable. 512 MB isn't that bad either. I have 768 MB in my iMac G4 and that is more then enough for the OS.

 

[danny_w]

I would definitely get the RAM over a Tiger upgrade, especially if you have only 512MB currently. I just upgraded my mini to Tiger and kept the 512MB RAM (I already upgraded it once from 256MB), and the performance went downhill fast. Tiger just needs more RAM (and maybe processing power too). So if you get Tiger, the you also need to get more RAM. If you only get more RAM, then Panther will fly, and IMO it is still much more stable than Tiger. I still think that I may go back to Panther on my mini.

 

[d-fi]

i have to ship overseas as well

I living in New Zealand and buying RAM locally is very expensive. So the next logical choice is to look around on the internet to find a place for cheap (yet good quality) RAM.

I had to look long and hard to find a place to sell 1GB sticks of ram for a powerbook for a reasonable price. Then after finding a place the next game is to find a place that won't kill you on the shipping.

So after a lot of research I bought a 1GB for my powerbook a couple months ago from http://www.transintl.com they offer a lifetime warranty on RAM and they ship overseas. You have to place your order first to get a shipping quote. But they check with you before they ship so you can say no if you think the shipping is too much.

in my case i thought shipping was very reasonable current price for your RAM is $119.00 US

One more thing, i originally found transintl at http://www.macsurfer.com through an ad at the top of the site. When i used the "click through ad" it was $25 less then the standard price of a 1GB stick. Just looked now and no discount at moment but something to be aware of if your ever looking for RAM

 

[Cloudgazer]

Thanks for the link d-fi.

Its the cheapest RAM, I've seen yet.

I do worry about shipping the memory from half way across the world.
What if it gets damaged, what if it doesn't work? etc.

If shipping it presents a huuuge cost saving, I will probably go for it.
Otherwise I will bite the bullet and buy RAM locally.

 

[d-fi]

A few more details i forgot to mention

The RAM i got was samsung (the same kind apple uses)

The cost of the shipping was about $30 US if i remember right and the box they shipped the RAM in was the size of a big thick textbook that was filled with padding. So you would have to do some serious damage to hurt that RAM inside

Good luck with finding RAM