It's showing "backorder" on mine...... sheesh. Maybe I'll have to cancel the order and go somewhere else.
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1 GB Stick $64 @ Frys
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taylorwilsdon
macrumors 68000
Before anyone gets freaked out, there is nothing magically special about the motherboards Apple uses that makes them reject memory where other computers would.
Different brands have different levels of reliability, and there is a chance of getting a dud with any manufacturer. Buying from something with an "Apple certified" label or anything to that extent is just plain dumb. You shouldn't have a computer if you get suckered like that. Mac's use Intel hardware just like any other PC manufacturer and you don't see anyone selling special "Dell certified" RAM - they just play into stupid rumors from sites like these and work off the insecurity of Mac users.
CanadaRAM sells RAM, which makes him (theoretically) a knowledgeable source for this kind of thing. However, it also makes him someone who wants to sell an overpriced, branded stick of RAM to you so take everything he says with a pound of salt. Notice how he puts his web site at the bottom of all his posts?
Different brands have different levels of reliability, and there is a chance of getting a dud with any manufacturer. Buying from something with an "Apple certified" label or anything to that extent is just plain dumb. You shouldn't have a computer if you get suckered like that. Mac's use Intel hardware just like any other PC manufacturer and you don't see anyone selling special "Dell certified" RAM - they just play into stupid rumors from sites like these and work off the insecurity of Mac users.
CanadaRAM sells RAM, which makes him (theoretically) a knowledgeable source for this kind of thing. However, it also makes him someone who wants to sell an overpriced, branded stick of RAM to you so take everything he says with a pound of salt. Notice how he puts his web site at the bottom of all his posts?
devilot
Moderator emeritus
Why don't you notice the content of his posts then?! He states that the important part of purchasing RAM is check the seller's policy-- will they allow for free shipping to and from in case of any issues? Including that the RAM works, just not with a specific machine.
Also, he links to other sites for MRers to find affordable and guaranteed to work RAM. He makes an easy-to-click link to a separate site, not just the textual site in his send off! 🙄
taylorwilsdon
macrumors 68000
Like I said, I'm sure he's a great source of information. That doesn't make it any different - he is selling something and isn't going to say something that might jeopardizes his chances of selling you something.
"policy-- will they allow for free shipping to and from in case of any issues? "
Thats because HE offers that. I think the problem here is that you aren't able to discern friendly advice from a veiled sales pitch. If I sold RAM, I'd be doing the same thing. People like you prove that it works 🙂
suneohair
macrumors 68020
Almost every manufacturer has a lifetime warranty on every module they sell/produce. A 1yr warranty is a rip off and an insult.
bartelby
macrumors Core
I've never seen CanadaRAM's advice as a "veiled sales pitch". Just as very informative and knowledgeable advice.
Maybe you aren't able to discern advice from a sales pitch...
richard4339
macrumors 6502a
I never got an email stating it was backordered; I logged into my account and the status was backordered.
grapes911
Moderator emeritu
The entire Patriot Ram line is pretty much value ram, just like the stick of Kingston in question. I'd stay away from both.
Some people really crack me up. Let's say you just purchased a $175,000 Lamborghini Gallardo which comes with a six-speed transmission. You decide that you want a 7-speed so you purchase $500 transmission because it was the cheapest 7-speed transmission you can find. You don't even care if it will work correctly in your car. Assuming it does work, you don't even care if it really improves performance. You just want to have 7-speeds.
This sounds kind of silly, doesn't it? Well this is exactly the same situation as when you purchase RAM just because its cheap. I once purchased Crucial non-Mac Ram for my iBook. The specs where correct, but it didn't work. I tested it in a PC notebook and the RAM worked perfectly. I never made that mistake again.
farqueue
macrumors 6502
interlaced
macrumors 6502a
I'm waiting for well substantiated claims, that makes this specific ram module not worth the purchase?
Of course we care that it improves performance, and as far as I'm concerned it improved my mac's performance with an additional 1gb of memory.
Also that was a terrible analogy consider what the transmission does and what the engine does in regards to each other vs a ram module and a motherboard/pc. The transmission analogy fits better for system bus, imo.
CanadaRAM
macrumors G5
Taylor. Please count how many times I have recommended someone buy RAM from me -- zero. Probably because it is against forum rules, for one thing. Then, about 3% of the Members here are Canadian and I only sell in Canada.
Sure, someone who knows their way inside and out of their Mac may have the confidence and time to install and test RAM themselves, and accept the wasted time and costs if it has to be sent back as the cost of the gamble to get a lower price.
For the record, I have no interest in and no gain, financial or otherwise, from people buying from Crucial, OWC or DMS who I most often recommend. Data Memory Systems is the US company, in my 16+ years in the RAM business, who offers the best customer service and Mac RAM products.
Don't believe me? Phone them, and see how you are treated. Now phone Frys, or NewEgg, or BestBuy and ask questions about Mac RAM.
Why do I recommend that people buy from sellers who guarantee compatibility and offer no cost return or replacement?
1) Because most Mac owners, especially new ones, don't have access to the the full information, or the confidence to take responsibility for choosing and testing the correct RAM themselves.
2) Because every day of the week we have customers call us saying "XYZ Shop sold us RAM and it didn't work, can you help us?" Some of them have gone back to the discounter three times before giving up.
3) Because dealing with a reputable dealer costs little more (sometimes no more) than dealing with a know-nothing discounter who is not willing to stand behind their product
4) Because NewEgg in particular has terms that allow them to charge a 15% restocking charge on 'non-defective returns' (plus shipping of course). And based on PCWorld's customer survey, NewEgg applies restocking charges at double the computer mail order industry average rate, by far the worst rate in their survey.
5) Because dealing with an eBay seller or non-reputable dealer has a way higher chance of things going wrong.
6) Because even the best, most reputable RAM has a DOA or infant mortality rate somewhere around 1%, so there's a 1 in 50 chance that your pair of modules will have to go back.
So when you buy RAM from a source that doesn't guarantee compatibility, you are taking a gamble that to save $10 you won't be hit with $20 - $30 in costs to get it right. For some people, that gamble is A-OK and they will disreagard my advice.
Nevrsadie
macrumors regular
I just ordered a gig from newegg! But I have spend about 20,000 dollars at Newegg building computers for people so I have faith in them. I will task anyone to find a retailer that has better prices, better selection, and better shipping, and a better return policy than Newegg.
grapes911
Moderator emeritu
Then you are not the type person that this advice is for. It may be worth it for you to purchase cheaper, non-mac certified RAM. If it doesn't work, you probably have the technical skills to trouble shoot it. That doesn't mean you'll get it to work, but at least you won't flip out if something is wrong.
While I love Newegg, I have some problems with your statements:
This has nothing to do with selection. It has to do with purchasing a RAM module that will work in your Mac.
There are tons of stores that have better return policies than Newegg when it comes to RAM for a Mac. DMS, Crucial, and OWC, just to name a few.
Wow, you guys over the pond get really cheap RAM. I just bought a 1GB stick from crucial and it cost me around 65 GBP inc shipping and VAT. Using todays exchange rates, that is just under 120 USD.
mattscott306
macrumors 68040
I went with a certified stick at Data Memory Systems for 74 bucks. I'm thinkin, ten bucks, and assurance it works=good for me.
I just want 2GB .... 1 GB X 2 that will work for my macbook pro core 2 duo and want it at a good price. someone please provide a link I'm ready to purchase now 
😀 thanks.
😀 thanks.
Nevrsadie
macrumors regular
merc669
macrumors 6502
MacBook Pro Repair
Just something others may want to know but I ordered a while back a 1G Mem Stick from Other World Computers. I installed it with no problem and it has been running great until last week when the right fan made an awful racket and bit the dust. Needless to say I sent it back to Mac. I got it back today with supposedly a new motherboard and my Memory Stick in a plastic bag. Details of what they replaced including wiping my HD was replace both fans and Main Logic Board. However they said the root cause of the Fan Failure was the Non-Approved Ram. Prior to sending unit in I did the Hardware Diag off the First Disk and only errors that came up were the Fan on the Right Side. Left was spinning. Now I am having to recover my data off my backup using Superduper which backed-up with. But a question about the Memory. Should I buy a new one or did Apple just pull out the third part Ram and refused to install it back. I do not think its bad but questions in the back of my head wonders. But I do not see how a Memory stick would cause a Fan Failure. Any Ideas????
Bill......😡
Just something others may want to know but I ordered a while back a 1G Mem Stick from Other World Computers. I installed it with no problem and it has been running great until last week when the right fan made an awful racket and bit the dust. Needless to say I sent it back to Mac. I got it back today with supposedly a new motherboard and my Memory Stick in a plastic bag. Details of what they replaced including wiping my HD was replace both fans and Main Logic Board. However they said the root cause of the Fan Failure was the Non-Approved Ram. Prior to sending unit in I did the Hardware Diag off the First Disk and only errors that came up were the Fan on the Right Side. Left was spinning. Now I am having to recover my data off my backup using Superduper which backed-up with. But a question about the Memory. Should I buy a new one or did Apple just pull out the third part Ram and refused to install it back. I do not think its bad but questions in the back of my head wonders. But I do not see how a Memory stick would cause a Fan Failure. Any Ideas????
Bill......😡