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ourcore

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 4, 2012
132
2
Hey, everyone:

Today, I called a local computer hardware store about the Patriot 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) RAM (http://www.msy.com.au/saonline/pc-c...gx2-ddr3-1333-notebook-ram-psd316g1333sk.html) and was told that the Mac-compatible version has a different chipset, which costs an extra $20 — can anyone confirm or comment on this? While researching online, I gathered that the main requirements were the speed, timings, and voltage. I just want to make sure I don't get something that won't work.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Mario
 
Mac Chipset RAM

I've never had any issues with non-apple certified ram on a Mac. Never.

But I always get reports from other forum users they are having issues and finally end up getting ram at the apple store...


The last ram upgrade I did was my 2009 MacBook unibody polycarbonate. I installed Dell certified ram... Yes Dell!
 
Hey, everyone:

Today, I called a local computer hardware store about the Patriot 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) RAM (http://www.msy.com.au/saonline/pc-c...gx2-ddr3-1333-notebook-ram-psd316g1333sk.html) and was told that the Mac-compatible version has a different chipset, which costs an extra $20 — can anyone confirm or comment on this? While researching online, I gathered that the main requirements were the speed, timings, and voltage. I just want to make sure I don't get something that won't work.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Mario

Memory is built to a specification like timing and speed as you mentioned. There is no such thing a special chip to make RAM Mac compatible. If it meets the spec it will work.

Of course you can get bad RAM from any vendor and have it not work, but the specs are the specs.
 
Memory is built to a specification like timing and speed as you mentioned. There is no such thing a special chip to make RAM Mac compatible. If it meets the spec it will work.

Of course you can get bad RAM from any vendor and have it not work, but the specs are the specs.

That's the impression I was under too. The two versions must be these, but I'm still unsure of the difference:
http://www.patriotmemory.com/product/detail.jsp?prodline=3&catid=93&prodgroupid=274&id=1151&type=5
http://www.patriotmemory.com/product/detail.jsp?prodline=3&catid=34&prodgroupid=203&id=1131&type=5

I guess their Mac-branded version must be optimised for MacBooks somehow.
 
That's the impression I was under too. The two versions must be these, but I'm still unsure of the difference:
http://www.patriotmemory.com/product/detail.jsp?prodline=3&catid=93&prodgroupid=274&id=1151&type=5
http://www.patriotmemory.com/product/detail.jsp?prodline=3&catid=34&prodgroupid=203&id=1131&type=5

I guess their Mac-branded version must be optimised for MacBooks somehow.

I scrutinized the two PDF spec sheets on those and they look identical to me. There is no such thing as optimized or certified for Mac/Apple. They are just charging more because they can. Just like hard drive vendors charge more for "Mac" hard drives that are identical to regular hard drives.

When Patriot says "certified" they are just saying it meets Apple's spec and will work. I have never had anybody show me anywhere that Apple has a "certification" program for third party RAM vendors. It is just a marketing term IMO.

I would get the cheaper set.
 
I scrutinized the two PDF spec sheets on those and they look identical to me. There is no such thing as optimized or certified for Mac/Apple. They are just charging more because they can. Just like hard drive vendors charge more for "Mac" hard drives that are identical to regular hard drives.

When Patriot says "certified" they are just saying it meets Apple's spec and will work. I have never had anybody show me anywhere that Apple has a "certification" program for third party RAM vendors. It is just a marketing term IMO.

I would get the cheaper set.

Thanks for taking the time. And I agree -- part of the public tends to think that Apple products require more specialised accessories, so by marketing it as "Mac-compatible", etc., people lean towards that option. They also paid more for the product, so why not for accessories. Thanks again.
 
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