Apple to Boost Standard Memory?

[~Shard~]

It's about time! This will silence a lot of the critics. Only needing 256 MB is a good thing, it shows off how efficient your OS, etc. is, so I see where Apple is coming from, however more is always better, and with the low prices of RAM these days, I think this move is a long overdue one for Apple.

 

[Platform]

I hope that they will get 512MB RAM in one DIMM like the 15" and 17" PB's has but not like the 256+256 on the 12".

Will the iMac and the eMac have one or two DIMM's..
How much is recommended to run Tiger 512 as a min "in real life" and a gig as a nice spot or

 

[~Shard~]

I think Apple would be smart enough to make it one 512 MB DIMM, not 2x256 - that would just take up an extra expansion slot and tick a lot of people off, especially if the machine only has 2 or 3 slots to begin with.

 

[Yvan256]

I agree that the Mac mini and basic G5 iMacs will probably be more used by Office/net users, so there is pronbably no real need for more than 512 there, but for the Pro G5 towers, I really thing 1Gb is the minimum that should be installed, especially in the light of Tiger's immineabt release.

Okay then, we agree. Let it be 512MB for consumer computers and 1GB for professional computers.

That means 512MB for iBooks/1GB for PowerBooks soldered on-board.

I wish the Mac mini was that way too: 512MB on-board and 1 free memory slot.

 

[~Shard~]

I wish the Mac mini was that way too: 512MB on-board and 1 free memory slot.

Maybe for the Mac mini Rev Bs whenever they come out?

 

[Danger! Will]

Any idea as to then this will become standard?

 

[wdlove]

Any idea as to then this will become standard?

We should find out when Apple makes its next revision. Hopefully Steve will also confirm a change at WWDC.

 

[Lacero]

The Pro lines across the board for the next revision will likely see 512MB standard. For the consumer line, you probably won't see across the board upgrades until second half of 2006.

 

[maya]

All I can say at this point is FINALLY. Though 512MB of ram seems low when it finally makes it to light across the line.

 

[~Shard~]

All I can say at this point is FINALLY. Though 512MB of ram seems low when it finally makes it to light across the line.

Yes, but only low in relation to the PC world. Keep in mind that you don't need more than 512 MB RAM on a Mac for things to run smoothly (unless you're a pro user, etc., which I know is part of what you're saying. )

 

[Autonerd]

While we're on the subject... I'm about to buy an iBook (my first Mac).

Can anyone speculate on what other changes might come along soon now that a new model cycle may be upon us? Amazon.com has a $100 rebate on the 12" 1.25 GHz 30 GB that expires Tuesday (tomorrow) which makes it advantageous to buy now.

If Amazon frequently does rebates and the improvements might be more than memory, I'd consider waiting... otherwise I'm going to buy now.

Oh, incidentally, I'm a PC person, use PC and Mac @ work and like 'em both. With the rebate and free shipping, iBook is virtually the least expensive way to get 12" and WiFi. I wouldn't switch from Windows for my desktop, but for me it makes sense for a laptop. (And my PC at home ran find with an Athlon 1600+ (1.4 GHz, roughly equiv to Intel 1.6 GHz), 256 mb. Then I got Microsoft Flight Simulator, and am now on an AMD 2400, 768MB.)

 

[decash]

Buying Advice

hello all,

a little off topic here, but has anyone bought RAM from Mac Ram Direct (http://macramdirect.com) ? Prices are way cheaper than other main suppliers, and I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this reseller... quality of RAM sold, speed of delivery, after sales support, et al.

Thanks
~BN

 

[finchna]

hello all,
has anyone bought RAM from Mac Ram Direct (http://macramdirect.com) ? Prices are way cheaper than other main suppliers
~BN

Hi. Not compared with Crucial.com--looks like Crucial as a about 20% less expensive for G5 RAM.

 

[macpk01]

SO with all of this happening in the nest couple of weeks should I cancell my ibook order in order to get Tiger and the 512mb?


macpk01
P.S. This would be my first mac

 

[decash]

RAM continued...

Hi. Not compared with Crucial.com--looks like Crucial as a about 20% less expensive for G5 RAM.

Hi, and thanks. But I should have specified... I want to take my PowerBook up to 2GB. A 1GB stick at Crucial sets me back $397 whereas Mac Ram Direct sells for $230. Obviously some of the price discrepency is attributed to the brand and expected quality of the components. But $170? This is why I ask if anyone has dealt with Mac Ram Direct... I'm sniffing around before they get my credit card!

 

[Sunrunner]

SO with all of this happening in the nest couple of weeks should I cancell my ibook order in order to get Tiger and the 512mb?


macpk01
P.S. This would be my first mac

Its kinda up to you and how willing you are to wait. There is not any guarantee that iBooks would see the new 512Mb RAM install, and Tiger may still be a month or two away. Is a $200 outlay for Tiger and RAM alot for you? If so you may wanna wait a bit. If its really not THAT big a deal, I say just make the leap and get the computer.

Remember, updates are ALWAYS on the horizon. If you always wait to get the newest rumor item, you will always be waiting...

 

[wdlove]

SO with all of this happening in the nest couple of weeks should I cancel my ibook order in order to get Tiger and the 512mb?


macpk01
P.S. This would be my first mac

It would somewhat on how much you are in need of anew computer at this point. Since we are just two months away from WWDC and a definitive answer on the Tiger release date, I would suggest waiting. The $129 could be used on other items.

 

[Lacero]

Hi, and thanks. But I should have specified... I want to take my PowerBook up to 2GB. A 1GB stick at Crucial sets me back $397 whereas Mac Ram Direct sells for $230. Obviously some of the price discrepency is attributed to the brand and expected quality of the components. But $170? This is why I ask if anyone has dealt with Mac Ram Direct... I'm sniffing around before they get my credit card!

Good idea. You should check out their policies on re-stocking and handling of defective components. There is no premium on good service.

 

[ScubaDuc]

You missed my point. A Mac with 256MB is probably 10x faster than the computer they're coming from. Even with iLife apps. Since their new computer is faster than their old computer, why would they feel negative towards Apple and Macs?

I think you are generalizing too much. Some PC users are far from "unexperienced". My 4 yrs old PC is way faster than my Slowsilver even though it has less RAM. Does it matter how long it takes to burn a DVD? Not really: I leave it on all night and it's ready in the morning

I doubt any Mac is faster in running Office than an old PC which is probably what most switchers are working with. Also, if you are willing to leave Win behind and use DOS programs, you would be amazed by how fast you can run say, a Monte Carlo simulation using Shazam, for example.

 

[Danger! Will]

I just bought a Mac Mini 1.42 with 256mb ram. That computer is faster
than my 2200mhz celeron machine with 512mb ram. I am a switcher new to OS X and 256mb was just fine. I just had the apple store in chandler
install the 512mb of ram but it's not that much of a difference that i can notice.

 

[zap2]

not imac

Hmm, an across the board RAM increase would be nice. I wonder if they are going to use up all the mem slots on the lower end lines (ibook, iMac, etc.) and just give a single 512 stick on the pro lines? I guess that would be good product differentiation.

Jim

this would be great but the imac is not in the lower end lines imac is the best all in one computer that apple makes ,emac is in the lower end

 

[g5_11]

Ram

512mb should definately be the minimum, because for Os X 256 can get really sluggish. Especially when you leave everything open like me.

 

[pubwvj]

512mb should definately be the minimum, because for Os X 256 can get really sluggish. Especially when you leave everything open like me.

I'm a firm believer in loading up my computers with the maximum RAM and HD space and I'm glad to see Apple boosting the standard RAM configuration. BUT, don't be confused - even 192MB is enough to run Panther. I have three computer (2 iBooks and a PowerBook) with MacOS X 10.3.5 on them and they all do fine. Yes, if you want to leave a lot of applications open or use memory hogs like Photoshop or some games they aren't going to be snappy but they are great for many people. My wife, who uses one of those machines, only has a few apps open at a time and she's perfectly happy with it. When she uses my computer which has 1GB of RAM she notices the difference in speed, but it isn't a big deal to her. Same for our two youngest children who use the other lower end machines.

For price sensitive buyers that is an issue and we're lucky that Apple's OS runs so well on such limited hardware. Just be glad you're not using Windows which is a just getting worse and worse.

More memory is wonderful but the minimum is a lot lower than you think.

 

[Chappers]

This is so obviously a good thing. Ok so macosx can run on 256 - but it runs even better on 512.

 

[arribadia]

I just ordered the new 12" Powerbook. It has 512 MB of RAM, but 256 MB on-board and a 256 MB chip. The 15" and 17" Powerbooks also have 512 MB, but they are with a single 512 MB chip leaving the second slot free.

If the iBooks get upgraded to 512 MB, then it would be the same with a 256 MB chip in the slot.

So if I want to upgrade the memory above 512 MB with the new 12" Powerbook, it doesn't make much sense to get a 512 MB chip and through out the 256 MB. I am going to be saving money up to go straight for the 1 GB chip!

Actually, I suspect you might be saving money if you just get the PB 15" instead. If anything, the 2 ram slots (and being able to use 2 X 512mb of ram) will pay for itself.