Differences between RAM...

[GregUofMN]

Hi all--

I'm wondering if there is much of a difference between these RAM sticks... other than $100:

http://www.crucial.com/store/MParts...ok+G4+1.25GHz+(15-inch+Display)&WSPN=CT368079

http://www.archmemory.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=169

and

http://www.upgradememory.com/product1.cfm?SID=1&Product_ID=49899&Category_ID=12774&

I run Photoshop a lot and have been noticing some slow downs when I have a lot of files open in the program. I currently have a 15" 1.25GHz AlBook with 512MB. I would like to add an additional 1GB to speed up things when I'm using larger applications or multiple smaller things at once.

Thanks.
Greg

 

[JDar]

There is _probably_ not a significant difference. All three of those companies seems to guarantee that the memory works or it can be returned, the shortest period being 30 days. No one will tell you (oh, surely someone will) not to buy from Crucial which seems to guarantee forever.

I put 'medium' cost memory in a G5 iMac 20 and it worked fine and passed the usual tests done upon it.

Be sure to use the various companies 'configurator' process and keep a record of it. I'd vote for saving the $100.

 

[WildCowboy]

I'll be that someone...don't buy from Crucial. I stopped buying from them when I found out about their variable pricing schemes. I buy from OWC.

 

[JDar]

I also bought from OWC rather than Crucial. Thank you for fulfilling the prophesy about Crucial! I had no idea they had variable pricing.

 

[WildCowboy]

Yeah, I dug up the thread from awhile ago...it looks like they examine the cookies in your browser and somehow decide how much to charge you based on what other sites you've visited.

Crucial: "Have you been to porsche.com? I see you have...that'll be an extra $10 for that RAM!!"

Linkie

 

[GregUofMN]

Yeah, I dug up the thread from awhile ago...it looks like they examine the cookies in your browser and somehow decide how much to charge you based on what other sites you've visited.

Crucial: "Have you been to porsche.com? I see you have...that'll be an extra $10 for that RAM!!"

Linkie

If that's the case, no wonder I thought Crucial was pricey. My wife and I were looking at real estate right before I went looking for RAM.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Yeah, I dug up the thread from awhile ago...it looks like they examine the cookies in your browser and somehow decide how much to charge you based on what other sites you've visited.

Crucial: "Have you been to porsche.com? I see you have...that'll be an extra $10 for that RAM!!"

Linkie

No, one site's cookie can't read another website's cookie, only their own, so Crucial wouldn't know if you had been at Porche (unless there was a banner advertiser common to both sites that maintained a history in its cookie which is why I deny all cookies to doubleclick and banner ad tracking services).

Possibly a Crucial cookie can store the referrer site URL if you linked to Crucial from another site.

More likely, Crucial relies on your own history browsing their site to create a buyer/price profile on you. What they potentially can know is: The machine type you are browsing with, the browser you are using, the general geographic area you are from (with varying accuracy) and any page or link within the Crucial site you have clicked on.

And that's all (including adjusting the price on the fly) presumably legal.

 

[CanadaRAM]

I'm wondering if there is much of a difference between these RAM sticks... other than $100:

http://www.crucial.com/store/MParts...ok+G4+1.25GHz+(15-inch+Display)&WSPN=CT368079

http://www.archmemory.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=169

and

http://www.upgradememory.com/product1.cfm?SID=1&Product_ID=49899&Category_ID=12774&

All three brands state compatibility with your AlBook 15" 1.25, which is good. The 1.25GHz is a "Finicky" model (that's a technical term to be used only by highly trained RAM professionals). More generic modules fail on these models (15" 1 GHz & 1.25 GHz, 17" 1 GHz and 1.33 GHz) than on any newer Al Powerbooks

Therefore I would recommend going with a Samsung module on this Powerbook. The Archmemory site shows a picture of a Samsung, but doesn't confirm it in the text - they would be a contender if you could be assured you would get a genuine Samsung module (not just Samsung chips on a third-party board design, known as Samsung on Third or Samsung/3rd).

The Upgradememory site shows a picture of an old-school TSOP chip based module instead of a more modern MBGA design, I would avoid this module on that basis.

Crucial.... Well they are charging $355 for a $220 module aren't they? so...

Your best buy in my biased opinion is the Data Memory Systems' Samsung original module for $205 here: http://www.datamem.com/viewcat.asp?C=1108

I have bought memory from this company for five years, so I know they are honest and they know their Macs.

 

[GregUofMN]

New question, but since I already started a thread about RAM for my AlBook, I'll just continue here...

Does Apple use a 3rd party source for their RAM or do they manufacture their own Apple branded RAM for the 15" 1.25GHz FW800 AlBooks?

I was just thinking that if they did oursource their memory, and if I found the exact memory on another site, would that qualify for their price matching program???

(Ignore latter question if it does not apply.)

Thanks,
Greg

PS: 'nother question... Is there a brand or store that offers the best RAM? I'm very new to upgrading Mac hardware so I have plenty of questions. Are the memory upgrades that I'm talking about going to improve my system to the point that it will be a considerable difference?

Thanks for helping.