Buy iBook now or wait??

[halfadder]

From what I've read, some Mac models have been picky about the RAM specs. It may be best to buy Crucial RAM from NewEgg, that way you can check the compatibillity on Crucial's website before you buy. Or you can buy RAM from a Mac specialist such as OWC (http://www.macsales.com).

I bought the cheapest no-name 512MB DDR333 SO-DIMM NewEgg had on sale, and it works great in my PowerBook. But I have heard that others were not as lucky.

 

[Jassi]

How many slots are user accessible?

 

[imported_Lucifer]

256mb is onboard. Only one slot is available for an extra stick of RAM. So you can put 1.25gb of RAM.

 

[Jassi]

Can you ask apple to put 1 - 512 MB dimm in the onboard slot?

 

[imported_Lucifer]

Not sure. I dont know if the memory is soldered onto the board or not. If it is, then I guess you would have to ask for another 256mb of RAM. I was looking at the RAM options at the Apple site, and it looks like you have to have that 256mb stick. I believe it is soldered onto the board.

 

[Wuzup101]

All current iBooks have 1 free memory slot with 256mb logic board mounted. Current 12" powerbooks have the same setup with 256mb logic board mounted (both have a max of 1.25gb if you install a 1gb sodimm). Current 15" and 17" powerbooks have 2 slots with no logic board mounted ram. You can get a 512mb sodimm instead of the 256mb x2 setup but it will cost you like $80 as a BTO option. Not worth it if you plan on upgrading witha 1gb stick. I personally have the 256mb stick that came with the machine and I replaced my other one with a $200 stick of kingmax pc2700 from newegg and it works flawlessly. There is also a good deal from outpost.com for pc2700 1gb sticks for $160 that many users have reported work very well in their powerbooks over at www.macnn.com.

Link: http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4158153

ibooks use pc2100 and powerbooks use pc2700

 

[uOpt]

How is exchanging the harddrive on current ibooks?

I heared that getting the OS on is a major pain.

 

[addragyn]

Changing the HD on an iBook is no problem if you stay organized and take your time. It takes a small torx set, T8 IIRC, and decent tweaker ability.

http://www.powerbooktech.com/knowledge,type-6.htm

Installing the OS is simple. You just run the installer. No serial number to enter, nothing to activate, don't even have to register(you can cmd-Q out of that screen).

 

[imported_sphinx]

I'd wait for the new OS to come out next year.