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Expensive Apple RAM - Is it worth it?
- Thread starter cmcbridejr
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Samsung, Hynix, and Micron are not brands, they are generic ram suppliers. They do not sell ram as retail products, only OEM's get them, I dont know how OWC gets this stuff (probably through trade-ins and overstock from other companies). A lot of regular ram brands use one of those 3 for their chips. For example Samsung is not better than a brand like OCZ because OCZ probably uses Samsung chips. If you read some of the reviews on newegg.com youll notice some users say stuff like "this uses the Samsung GS-4578990 chip which can be overclocked to xxxmhz" or "this uses the Samsung HX-237384 chip which is cheap garbage!"
Only on the Mac mini.
Apple employees are not commission based and would rather you bought a Mac and upgraded the RAM yourself than not buy one at all due to the price of the overall package.
And imacs and macbooks. Doesnt matter if they are on commission or not, some of them still say it voids your warranty, people have been told that over the phone for apple.com as well. Apple employees are not perfect.
You posters make me sick. You are not true mac aficionados like I am. I upgraded to 4 gb of ram on my macbook for an extra $850, including labor charges for getting it installed PERSONALLY by a mac genius. He was such an expert, it took him just 10 minutes to install the new RAM. To me, it is worth every penny. In fact, its a steal. Because you know that you are getting top apple quality ram.
I'd bet you people skip over quality stuff like monster cables, and buy cheap, generic crap....
I'd bet you people skip over quality stuff like monster cables, and buy cheap, generic crap....
Then why did the rep in question (the post I quoted earlier) say that it would invalidate the warranty? To suggest that a companies employees would be happy for their own company to loose revenue is illogical.
I don't know why he said that, but trust me when i say that - apart from the Mac mini - it does not void your warranty.
You posters make me sick. You are not true mac aficionados like I am. I upgraded to 4 gb of ram on my macbook for an extra $850, including labor charges for getting it installed PERSONALLY by a mac genius. He was such an expert, it took him just 10 minutes to install the new RAM. To me, it is worth every penny. In fact, its a steal. Because you know that you are getting top apple quality ram.
I'd bet you people skip over quality stuff like monster cables, and buy cheap, generic crap....
This post has made my day already, and it is still early morning.
I've been running Macs since 1989 and would only buy from two providers.
Datamem.com or OWC.
Both offer lifetime warranty and guarantee Apple compatibility.
I just upgraded my G5 DP 2.0 with 4 GB RAM from Datamem.com
$180.00 for 4X1GB
Crucial plays pricing games adding a premium for Apple guaranteed RAM
when they offer the exact same RAM as far as generic specifications for less.
NewEgg gets some good prices on Crucial RAM, but New Egg does not
specifically guarantee Apple compatibility.
I generally recommend Samsung or Micron RAM over any others.
Datamem.com or OWC.
Both offer lifetime warranty and guarantee Apple compatibility.
I just upgraded my G5 DP 2.0 with 4 GB RAM from Datamem.com
$180.00 for 4X1GB
Crucial plays pricing games adding a premium for Apple guaranteed RAM
when they offer the exact same RAM as far as generic specifications for less.
NewEgg gets some good prices on Crucial RAM, but New Egg does not
specifically guarantee Apple compatibility.
I generally recommend Samsung or Micron RAM over any others.
What about RAM for the Mac Pro?
It is not typical 667 MHz RAM used in the laptops, and instead is 800 MHz.
Apple says this about the Mac Pro RAM:
Please note: Apple created a more robust thermal specification for the Mac Pro FB-DIMM heat sinks that provide more efficient cooling than many other FB-DIMMs. These FB-DIMMs require less airflow to stay cool and allow the internal fans to spin at slower speeds, improving system acoustics. FB-DIMMs made by other manufacturers that do not include a sufficient heat sink may cause the fans to run faster (and louder) or the memory chips to run slower so as not to overheat.
So, do you think this holds true? It must, otherwise that would be false advertisement. After all, this is their flagship product.
What do you all think of the "extra cost" associated with Apple's "modified" RAM that they use in the Mac Pro?
It is not typical 667 MHz RAM used in the laptops, and instead is 800 MHz.
Apple says this about the Mac Pro RAM:
Please note: Apple created a more robust thermal specification for the Mac Pro FB-DIMM heat sinks that provide more efficient cooling than many other FB-DIMMs. These FB-DIMMs require less airflow to stay cool and allow the internal fans to spin at slower speeds, improving system acoustics. FB-DIMMs made by other manufacturers that do not include a sufficient heat sink may cause the fans to run faster (and louder) or the memory chips to run slower so as not to overheat.
So, do you think this holds true? It must, otherwise that would be false advertisement. After all, this is their flagship product.
What do you all think of the "extra cost" associated with Apple's "modified" RAM that they use in the Mac Pro?
You get the same
FB-DIMMs made by other manufacturers do not include a sufficient heat sink and cause the fans to run faster (and louder) or the memory chips to run slower so as not to overheat.
Apple likes to over-hype (over-price?) things and the RAM is a good example.
Apple does not make its own RAM, nor does it alter or customize the RAM it sells.
with the RAM you buy from say, Crucial…
Is not the same as saying:
FB-DIMMs made by other manufacturers do not include a sufficient heat sink and cause the fans to run faster (and louder) or the memory chips to run slower so as not to overheat.
Apple likes to over-hype (over-price?) things and the RAM is a good example.
Apple does not make its own RAM, nor does it alter or customize the RAM it sells.
You get the same with the RAM you buy from say, Crucial
That is not the same as saying:
FB-DIMMs made by other manufacturers do not include a sufficient heat sink that cause the fans to run faster (and louder) or the memory chips to run slower so as not to overheat.
Apple likes to over-hype (over-price?) things and the RAM is a good example.
Apple does not make its own RAM, nor does it alter or customize the RAM it sells.
The title of my thread may not be worded right. I am fully aware that Apple does not make their own RAM. So let's move on from everyone stating that.
However, it is illegal (false advertisement) for Apple to state that they have modified the RAM, when in reality, they have not. Therefore, do you not think that Apple has truly modified the RAM in the Mac Pro?
Nowhere does Apple claim that
Where do you read this?
They do say they created a more robust specification… well so does Dell or HP etc etc… it is what is known as "market-speak"…
No they have not… I have Apple RAM in my Mac Pro as well as RAM from Crucial… there is no (zero) difference.
Apple has not modified the RAM — nor do they claim that they have…
Yes they do! Look on Apple's website at the configurator for the Mac Pro.
The memory options within the configurator clearly state that they do modify the RAM if you click on "learn more".
Once again, this is taken from Apple's website:
Please note: Apple created a more robust thermal specification for the Mac Pro FB-DIMM heat sinks that provide more efficient cooling than many other FB-DIMMs. These FB-DIMMs require less airflow to stay cool and allow the internal fans to spin at slower speeds, improving system acoustics. FB-DIMMs made by other manufacturers that do not include a sufficient heat sink may cause the fans to run faster (and louder) or the memory chips to run slower so as not to overheat.
This statement to me sounds very much like they have modified the RAM.
I hate that so many people on MacRumors act like they know everything and are so quick to say, "that's not true" or "I've been using Apple computers since 1999 and I know so much more than you". Well, I have been a Mac user since 1986. So what! That does not make me a Mac god or feel superior to anyone else.
Can't we all just have civil discussions and learn from each other instead of acting like a bunch of pompous know-it-alls? This is just one of the very reasons why many Windows users hate Mac users.
its not about civil discussion, its about who you choose to believe, apple is good at marketing, its not about what they say, its about what they didn't say.
e.g.,
This many and other probably refers to those no brand, self employed factory makers who produces RAM in their own houses.....
Apple doesn't have a RAM producing line,
really, its sounds like you just want to pay more, and try to find some peace.
No. They don't.
Where does it say they alter the RAM?
Point it out and I will admit to be wrong.
But… that is not what they are saying. No matter how much you may want to believe it…
They have specified what the RAM has to be. Not modified or altered. They buy this off the shelf, slap on a mark-up and sell it off to buyers. The only thing Apple modifies or alters on that RAM is the price.
Apple makes it sounds like they invented the wheel… but, really, they didn't.
This is a civil discussion… The only one here starting to get hot under the collar is… errm… you.
You really, really are misinterpreting what they say to fit your own agenda… I do not think anyone is trying to be "smart" or a "know-it-all"… but really, you are reading that paragraph wrong.
EDIT: Read Clevin's reply above. It is all about Apple creating perception…
However, I feel you are convinced and nothing will sway you. Good luck!
This is a civil discussion The only one here starting to get hot under the collar is errm you.
You really, really are misinterpreting what they say to fit your own agenda I do not think anyone is trying to be "smart" or a "know-it-all" but really, you are reading that paragraph wrong.
I am sorry for coming across as "hot under the collar".
I see so many posts on MacRumors by users that brag about how long they have used Apple computers, and therefore, that somehow makes them so much more superior and knowledgeable than everyone else. I was venting my frustration towards those users that have this superiority complex.
Text can be interpreted many different ways compared to the emotions and stress of language used in face to face conversations. Interpretation of text is one reason why we have so many religious wars in the world, but that is whole other story.
I appreciate you explaining Apple's claims to me in more detail and helping me finally come to the realization that I am just misinterpreting their statements. I now understand that they "create specifications" rather than actually "modify the RAM". Thank you!
Please take into consideration in the future that some people need further explanation or more discussions to understand certain things. No, I am not trying to "fit an agenda" and I am not close minded enough to "not be swayed", so please don't make those claims about me. I merely asked a question about Apple's statement towards their RAM and I wanted to know how people interpreted that statement.
Thank you again for helping me finally understand my misinterpretations.
I can see where Apple's statements are misleading. After reading the paragraph a few times I could see where the marking was, but not at first glance.
Also my pops always does the "I know more about computers because I used to have an Amiga and I was around for the 56 kilobaud modem" lol, so I understand that as well
is just fancy talk for "we put a big heatsink on it"
That big heatsink doesnt really do anything a normal heatsink does anyways.
I wouldnt be surprised if the ram actually runs hotter when sandwiched in like this since theres no room for air flow with those heatsinks
is just fancy talk for "we put a big heatsink on it"
That big heatsink doesnt really do anything a normal heatsink does anyways.
I wouldnt be surprised if the ram actually runs hotter when sandwiched in like this since theres no room for air flow with those heatsinks
I'm sure the heatsinks make a positive difference because the effectively increase surface are and release heat faster than the RAM would by itself.