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ewoh24
Jun 9, 2003, 11:01 AM
Hi,

Can someone tell me why iBooks ship with 128MB of RAM when to run 10.2 256MB is highly recommended? Isn't that kind of strange on Apple's part?


pseudobrit
Jun 9, 2003, 11:18 AM
OSX originally said 128 recommended. I think even Jaguar can run with less, but X is a RAM-hungry monster and will use every last bit you feed it. My 500 dual USB runs just peachy with 384.
iShater
Jun 9, 2003, 11:19 AM
Originally posted by ewoh24
Hi,

Can someone tell me why iBooks ship with 128MB of RAM when to run 10.2 256MB is highly recommended? Isn't that kind of strange on Apple's part?

Yes it is, I think they have two thoughts:

1) The price of including more RAM would probably cut their margin by a few bucks, they like their margins.
2) You would be tempted to buy RAM for them, which is way overpriced.

and maybe a third thought, the motherboard for the 12" ibook can't handle build-in ram of more than 128 at this time?
pseudobrit
Jun 9, 2003, 11:22 AM
Originally posted by iShater
and maybe a third thought, the motherboard for the 12" ibook can't handle build-in ram of more than 128 at this time?

We have a winner! The iBook can only be configured from Apple with a 128MB RAM chip on the motherboard. Even the 14" iBooks that ship standard with 256 use a pair of 128 sticks.
sethwerkheiser
Jun 9, 2003, 11:24 AM
Well if they included the 256meg the price would be a little steeper. It was hard enough to get the wife to agree to the $1299 base price! haha... so you think with the 256meg the base price would be $1399, maybe. Something like that.

I think Apple was somewhat smart in doing this. I mean, I was able to buy mine recently, without having to save up a few more dollars. I can (and definatly plan to!) upgrade later. This 128meg is killing me! haha
pseudobrit
Jun 9, 2003, 11:28 AM
Originally posted by sethwerkheiser
I think Apple was somewhat smart in doing this. I mean, I was able to buy mine recently, without having to save up a few more dollars. I can (and definatly plan to!) upgrade later. This 128meg is killing me! haha

$40 buys you up to 384 -- http://www.transintl.com/ $100 takes to to 640.
sethwerkheiser
Jun 9, 2003, 12:10 PM
well well well... just $100? Very nice. The wifey is shopping at tonites Victorias Secret sale... maybe I can sneak $100 and upgrade the iBook.. hahaha
braindrain
Jun 9, 2003, 09:58 PM
I maxed out my iBook (640 mb) and it only cost me $95
zarathustra
Jun 9, 2003, 10:38 PM
Originally posted by sethwerkheiser
well well well... just $100? Very nice. The wifey is shopping at tonites Victorias Secret sale... maybe I can sneak $100 and upgrade the iBook.. hahaha

One word: whipped! ;) :)

Go for it, it's worth your sanity!
Gus
Jun 10, 2003, 08:59 PM
Yeah, it's a little anemic, but it's light years better than the 32MB standard on the original clamsheel iBook. Granted, it was only running OS 9, but it still really limited the max RAM.

Regards,
Gus
jimthorn
Jun 10, 2003, 10:25 PM
Originally posted by braindrain
I maxed out my iBook (640 mb) and it only cost me $95

Yeah, me too. I mean, for a hundred bucks, how can you not?!
AnotherMortal
Jun 11, 2003, 07:18 AM
I maxed mine out a few months ago through my job, and it made a world of difference! I paid a little more than you guys ($130) but I got Mushkin (http://www.mushkin.com) (mushkin.com) RAM, which Tom's Hardware (http://www.tomshardware.com) (tomshardware.com) uses frequently in their testbed machines. I figured why skimp on RAM quality, when RAM errors are the most difficult to deal with. (random crashing of apps, etc)
But *definitely* get the 512MB chip, its worth it.