What's the best way to upgrade ram? Specifically, I want to have at least 1GB in a MacBook I'm about to buy for my wife, and of course, it's cheaper to buy the RAM separately than buy it already installed. If I buy a 512mb MacBook (2 x 256MB), can I buy a single 1GB chip, or must I buy 512MB X 2? Do both slots have to be filled, and/or do both need the same size chips installed for the best performance? Thanks in advance.
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RAM upgrade in new MacBook
- Thread starter dcains
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I suggest to get one 1 GB stick for now if you are on a budget. You can keep the stock 256 MB (Or 512 MB) stick in there as well.
~desu
~desu
Yes, third-party RAM is a better deal. I recommend either DMS or OWC. Great companies that guarantee their RAM to work in your machine and have great customer service.
Apple recommends that you have the same amount of RAM in each slot for best performance, but the gain is generally pretty small. More unpaired RAM always trumps less paired RAM. So if you get the stock 2x256MB, swapping one stick out and going to an unpaired 1.25 GB is a good option...better than a paired 2x512MB. Best is a paired 2x1GB, as they are RAM hungry machines, but depending on your usage you may not need to go that high.
Apple recommends that you have the same amount of RAM in each slot for best performance, but the gain is generally pretty small. More unpaired RAM always trumps less paired RAM. So if you get the stock 2x256MB, swapping one stick out and going to an unpaired 1.25 GB is a good option...better than a paired 2x512MB. Best is a paired 2x1GB, as they are RAM hungry machines, but depending on your usage you may not need to go that high.
Thanks . . .
Looks like I'll go for the 1GB chip and end up with 1.25GB total. Budget isn't the concern, but my wife only needs web browsing and email, so no need for max ram. I've got a loaded MacBook Pro for my photography work. Life is so much better without XP in the house.
Looks like I'll go for the 1GB chip and end up with 1.25GB total. Budget isn't the concern, but my wife only needs web browsing and email, so no need for max ram. I've got a loaded MacBook Pro for my photography work. Life is so much better without XP in the house.
Yeah, those are my questions exactly. I'm looking to buy some RAM for my CD MacBook. Are there any good deals out there right now? I thought about buying two 512 MB sticks, but if having both slots filled is not too important, I'll buy one 1GB one. I know nothing about this and have no idea which companies to trust while spending less, so any advice will be greatly appreciated.
