Memory upgrade

[andrewlacey]

Hello. Despite having searched for quite a while on the internet, I've failed to find the answer to what is probably a very simple question. Why upgrade memory?

I've got a 900MHz iBook with 256MB of memory (apparently :D ). Would maxing the memory (I think the maximum for the iBook is something like 600MB) make the machine run any faster/smoother?

Thanks, Andrew

[edesignuk]

Yes, it would speed things up. Applications (inc. the OS) use memory to run, when this memory runs out the apps and OS will 'page' to virtual memory on your hard drive, because your hard drive is much slower to read data from, anything stored in the paging area on your drive will respond slower. If you have more actual RAM your apps will be able to keep what they need to run in RAM and so respond faster.

edit: BTW, OS X is known for being memory hungry, so I'd max out that iBook with a 512MB SODIMM (pretty cheap) to 640MB ASAP ;) :)

edit 2: 512MB (http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Apple%2BiBook&mfr=Apple&cat=RAM&model=iBook+%28900MHz%29&submit=Go) Upgrade

[mactastic]

More memory = Better user experience

[andrewlacey]

Cool. Thanks guys.