much RAM do I really need?

Personally, I think 512 MB of RAM is the bare minumum with OSX. Some people will tell you 256 is enough, but that's cutting it close if you've got more than two programs open. I'd suggest you buy RAM from Crucial , they provide very high quality RAM at a substantially discounted price from Apple. Never buy RAM from Apple. If I was in your shoes, I'd pick up a 512MB stick from Crucial for $110, then you'd have 640MB. That might seem like a lot of RAM, but with OS X, you can never have enough.

i don't know why apple doesn't baseline 512mb, i'd say it's the minimum. should last you a couple of years before you outgrow it, and it will keep you running smoothly when you do memory-taxing things...

pnw

256 is actually the base standard anyone should have if they want OSX to be functional at any sort of competent level (128 will get you slow app loads. And I mean SLOW!). 256 should do you fine if you don't plan to tax your system much.

• 256MB SDRAM - 1 DIMM
• 40GB Ultra ATA drive
• Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
• APP for iMac/eMac - Enrollment Kit <----(you need this. Trust me.)
• 1GHz PowerPC G4
• Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
$1,018.00

Say hello to your new baby. Apple RAM is a premium, but for 50 bucks to double it right out of the box, it is worth it. You can pick up another 256MB stick at your local computer store and install it yourself in the remaining slots (one open).

when I had 256 it was far from enough. it would only be enough if all you EVER did was use safari and mail. when I had only 256 if I had 1 decent sized app open I could not play a divx movie jitter free without either closing that one app first or rebooting all together. 512 solved this. My cpu was not the problem as a G4 of any speed plays divx well as both the main osx divx players ( mPlayer and vlc) fully support altivec and also they would play fine after a fresh boot with nothing else open. this proves it was a ram issue.

I currently have 512 and ordered another 512 yesterday. Get minimum 512, trust me. if you don't then you will never see the true speed of a computer you just spent a decent chunk of cash on.

Just in case anyone was wondering, OS X can actually run on 64 .. I did it by accident once. I put RAM in my iBook and for some reason it didn't recognize the 512 stick I put in, so it booted and ran on 64. Mind you this was OS X Server 10.2 and it wasn't pretty, but...

Get 512 minimum.

Originally posted by G5orbust
256 is actually the base standard anyone should have if they want OSX to be functional at any sort of competent level (128 will get you slow app loads. And I mean SLOW!). 256 should do you fine if you don't plan to tax your system much.

• 256MB SDRAM - 1 DIMM
• 40GB Ultra ATA drive
• Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
• APP for iMac/eMac - Enrollment Kit <----(you need this. Trust me.)
• 1GHz PowerPC G4
• Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
$1,018.00

Say hello to your new baby. Apple RAM is a premium, but for 50 bucks to double it right out of the box, it is worth it. You can pick up another 256MB stick at your local computer store and install it yourself in the remaining slots (one open).

Click to expand...

i'd personally wait on the APP purchase since you have up to a year to decide...

also, don't bother paying apple up front to double your ram. 512 stick is $111 from crucial while 256 is $60. get the stock eMac with 128 and add a 512 = 640 for $111. if you double to 256 ($50) and add a 256 ($60), you only get 512 for the same price.

i have 1.5 gigs of ram and sometimes i run out

Take it up to a gig and just kick back and relax, knowing you will probably never tax your memory! Seriously, you can never have too much RAM. And it's really pretty cheap. At least get it up to 512MB.

My emac 700 came stock with 128, and it was decent enough. But, i added a pny 512 chip and the thing was a TON faster. I have played with the newer emac 1ghz at compusa and mine is a great deal "snappier." Definately get minimum of 512, a whole gig if you can afford it. Even with 640 mb, I run out pretty quick doing multimedia tasks.

How much will this help?

Hey all have a pokey 128MB in an emac 800, found a great deal on 256MB ram, so I'd have 384 in it, if nothing intensive is gonna be done on it wont this be enough? Do I need to spend the extra 50-60 for 512 if all thats gonna be on it is safari word processinf and some simple games? (ie no UT or iMovie)

Rule of thumb is always to buy as best and as much as you can afford when dealing with RAM. I believe the eMac only has 2 RAM slots so if in the future you decide to add more memory, you've got one stick that's left without a home. At least 512.

my ibook has 256 and i notice it lagging big time. hopefully going up to 384 would be enough cause thats all i can afford right now. it seems like it comes from the factory with way to little ram

if you only have enough for 128 right now then wait and put that money aside till you can add the extra needed for another 256. it will be far more of an increase in system performance since then you would be doubling your ram rather than just adding another 50%.

Originally posted by 5300cs
Just in case anyone was wondering, OS X can actually run on 64 .. I did it by accident once. I put RAM in my iBook and for some reason it didn't recognize the 512 stick I put in, so it booted and ran on 64. Mind you this was OS X Server 10.2 and it wasn't pretty, but...

Click to expand...

Um, that is impossible. OS X Server will not install or run on PowerBooks or iBooks.

Originally posted by mikeyredk
i have 1.5 gigs of ram and sometimes i run out

Click to expand...

What are you using your machine for though? I'm guessing not just Mail, Safari, etc.

256 MB is probably acceptable for your use, but I agree with the masses, OSX LOVES more RAM and there would be a noticeable performance improvement if you had 512 MB. I wouldn't go any more than that though, especially for what it sounds like you'll be using the machine for. I'm thinking 256 MB will work for you, and 512 MB would be preferrable and well worth the investment. No less than 256 MB though, unless you don't mind your system being a bit sluggish at times.

Re: How much will this help?

Originally posted by willmg
Hey all have a pokey 128MB in an emac 800, found a great deal on 256MB ram, so I'd have 384 in it, if nothing intensive is gonna be done on it wont this be enough? Do I need to spend the extra 50-60 for 512 if all thats gonna be on it is safari word processinf and some simple games? (ie no UT or iMovie)

Click to expand...

I think 384 would do ya if those are the main applications you use, and nothing more intensive. Again, more RAM is better, and worth the investment as you would see noticeable improvment, but 384 should be good for ya.

Originally posted by 5300cs
Just in case anyone was wondering, OS X can actually run on 64 .. I did it by accident once. I put RAM in my iBook and for some reason it didn't recognize the 512 stick I put in, so it booted and ran on 64. Mind you this was OS X Server 10.2 and it wasn't pretty, but...

Get 512 minimum.

Click to expand...

Pardon my ignorance if I am incorrect, but I don't believe OSX Server can run on iBooks...

Success

Hey all thanks for advice, I got a sweet deal on 256MB stick of PNY at staples with a rebate and a %off discount, dropped it in and there is a huuuuggge difference. Apps used to be 4-6 bounces and all are now 1 or 2 and they open, plus having appleworks, safari, and mail doesnt cause huge slow downs. I decided on a 256 cause it was another $50 for 512 and I figure I can always replace the 128 with a 512 later if I start using iMovie or serious stuff when I make some cash. Thanks again!

Glad to hear we could help! That's what the MacRumors community is all about, so if you ever have any other questions, just post them and watch the multitude of helpful replies pile up.

Enjoy your speedier eMac!

I just want to say that its awesome to be a part of a forum with such cool people like shard that will help people and encourage someone to ask again for help if they need it. gives you the feeling that if your puter messes up or anything that these guy got your back there are many other cool people here also but too many to mention. just want you guys all to know that its very appericiated. you guys rock!