macbook-compatible RAM

[nina s. custodio]

want to upgrade my macbook's RAM..ang tanong, whats a good macbook-compatible RAM brand, how much and where do i get it? i plan to upgrade to 2gig.

[Jim Haw]

Before you can upgrade your Mac's memory, you need to know what kind of memory module to get.

The first option in finding out is to go to Apple Menu and select "About This Mac". A window will appear which tells you your Mac's operating system version, processor, memory and startup disk. You can click the "More Info..." to get more details about your Mac's hardware, network, and software.





The other option is to go to a website, Other World Computing at http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/, which will not only tell you which specific memory module your Mac needs but also lets you compare prices and give you a general idea on how much you will spend.

When I was deciding which brand of RAM to pick, I had to consider two things: price and warranty.

I do not know of a specific brand of memory module that's considered the best; some swear by Crucial, others Kingston or even OWC. I use Kingston myself. Some brands are more expensive than another.

Make sure that you have at least 1 year of warranty for your module. I think most RAM manufacturers offer two to three years of warranty. The reseller you are getting the memory module from should honor the manufacturer's warranty.

Your Mac's model will determine the maximum RAM you can buy. Don't buy 4GB of memory when your Mac can only support to up to 2GB.

You also need to know whether your processor is Intel Core Duo or Core 2 Duo because each requires a different types of memory module.

(Note: laptop or notebook memory modules are different from desktop memory modules. Laptop modules are smaller and are called DIMMs or SODIMMs.)

Here's a link to PC Bodega to give you an idea on how much it will cost you to upgrade your MacBook's RAM.

[Jim Haw]

Nina Custodio said:

"hi thanks for the reply..here's what i got:

Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 1.83 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 2 MB
Memory: 512 MB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz

im not so much of a techie so correct me if im wrong, tama ba na i can only upgrade to 2gig max? kung wlang kingston, is transcend okay? what if i got one 2gb ram and just leave one of the 256s in the slot, would that mess up my mac (to have a 2.2gb instead of the acceptable 2gig)?? what about extra batteries? noticed sa online store that there are 2 types of rechargeable batteries for macbook..do i get the cheaper one assuming that its the one compatible with my old mac? and if i buy the ram, would i need to mention that i have a core 2 duo? wouldnt they know which ram to give by looking at the ram in my macbook if i brought it with me?? was planning kasi to bring it to octagon in uyanguren. hehe. sorry to bother you with so many things ha. im really just glad to have someone to ask, and who can actually answer my questions with concrete info! :)"

[Jim Haw]

According to your Mac's model and serial number, you have a late-2007 model, Core 2 Duo MacBook which supports to up to 4GB of RAM.

Based on a benchmark report by OWC there's no problem in using an unpaired RAM in your MacBook as the MacBook still performed as it should. Though I must point out this was done for testing certain applications and doesn't show anything about long term effects.

It would seem that brand doesn't matter these days. Some tests does show one brand of RAM may have more benefits than another brand but for ordinary consumers like us the difference is not something to really get excited about.

Not to disparage anyone but Octagon might not have enough experience when it comes to Macs so they probably won't know which RAM is best suited for your MacBook. I might be wrong though.

Probably the next best thing is to provide you with the memory module specifications and hopefully they have it on stock.

The memory module that works best for your MacBook Core 2 Duo is "DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz DIMM"

PC Bodega list the prices for a single 2GB memory (Kingston) as 1,950.

While a 1GB memory module ranges from 950 (Kingston) to 1,150 (Corsair Value).

You can also ask RASI Computers for memory module prices as well. Don't stick to one vendor.

Which online store were you looking at for the rechargeable batteries?

[nina s. custodio]

will probably just order through pc bodega jim. thanks. the online store?? yung sa apple dito sa pinas! hmm nga pala, theres something wrong with my photo booth!! i was gonna take a picture of my (narcissistic) self, tapos when i did, hindi na-save yung pictures!! i closed and reopened the application several times and still did not save. so i tried to look at the previous pictures taken and then tried taaking pictures again pero the screen was just black!! wala nang live image of me! will try pa to reboot baka fluke lang. :(

[Jim Haw]

Do try to look around and see who has the best price. If you can wait, I'll try to ask my source from Hong Kong how much his RAM costs.

Regarding the battery, I only see one that's suitable for your 13-inch MacBook. I'm assuming that your MacBook is white.

The other battery is for the new unibody aluminum 13-inch MacBook.

Regarding your PhotoBooth problem, I need some time to figure out what's going on. I might ask for some additional details later.

[nina s. custodio]

hi jim! thanks again. hmm i can wait naman..maybe your HK source will have better prices for the rechargeable battery and the RAM although pc bodega has a pretty good price since the 2gb costs 3200 in G mall and 2700 in octagon (di ba kingston yun). ive been holding off buying it kasi baka may better price pa.

worried about the photobooth though. anyway, just let me know what info you need. the only thing i did out of ordinary before the photo booth went berserk was to upgrade my tiger to leopard. aside from that, wala na akong maalala.

have a great weekend!! :)
Jim Haw said:

Do try to look around and see who has the best price. If you can wait, I'll try to ask my source from Hong Kong how much his RAM costs.

Regarding the battery, I only see one that's suitable for your 13-inch MacBook. I'm assuming that your MacBook is white.

The other battery is for the new unibody aluminum 13-inch MacBook.

Regarding your PhotoBooth problem, I need some time to figure out what's going on. I might ask for some additional details later.

[apple_microsoft]

Hello Dra. Nina,

I am selling 2 pcs of 1GB Apple Original Memory and here's the specification:

SAMSUNG Brand 1GB PC2-5300, 200PIN SODIMM (Apple Macbook Pro Original)
All types of Apple Macbook compatible

Price: Php 1,000.00 each
*buy 2 pcs to make 2GB

Please do text @ 09217135934

Roger

[nina s. custodio]

hi jim..ayaw talaga magwork nung photo booth ko. :(
nina s. custodio said:

hi jim! thanks again. hmm i can wait naman..maybe your HK source will have better prices for the rechargeable battery and the RAM although pc bodega has a pretty good price since the 2gb costs 3200 in G mall and 2700 in octagon (di ba kingston yun). ive been holding off buying it kasi baka may better price pa.

worried about the photobooth though. anyway, just let me know what info you need. the only thing i did out of ordinary before the photo booth went berserk was to upgrade my tiger to leopard. aside from that, wala na akong maalala.

have a great weekend!! :)
Jim Haw said:

Do try to look around and see who has the best price. If you can wait, I'll try to ask my source from Hong Kong how much his RAM costs.

Regarding the battery, I only see one that's suitable for your 13-inch MacBook. I'm assuming that your MacBook is white.

The other battery is for the new unibody aluminum 13-inch MacBook.

Regarding your PhotoBooth problem, I need some time to figure out what's going on. I might ask for some additional details later.

[Jim Haw]

Hello Nina,

Please try out the suggestions in this forum:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6971235

Tell me how it goes.

[nina s. custodio]

hi jim!!

fixed it!! actually, i didnt get to do the suggestions completely. i found out na may tiger photo booth had not been deleted when i upgraded to leopard. so yun, i was using tiger PB on my leopard kaya ayaw tumakbo! now its ok na! thanks for the help!

nina

[Jim Haw]

That's awesome, Nina! Glad your Photo Booth has been fixed : )

Any luck on the RAM?

nina s. custodio said:

hi jim!!

fixed it!! actually, i didnt get to do the suggestions completely. i found out na may tiger photo booth had not been deleted when i upgraded to leopard. so yun, i was using tiger PB on my leopard kaya ayaw tumakbo! now its ok na! thanks for the help!

nina

[nina s. custodio]

was able to buy 2 gig for 2ooo! i guess ok na yun di ba?? hey happy new year!! :)

Jim Haw said:

That's awesome, Nina! Glad your Photo Booth has been fixed : )

Any luck on the RAM?

nina s. custodio said:

hi jim!!

fixed it!! actually, i didnt get to do the suggestions completely. i found out na may tiger photo booth had not been deleted when i upgraded to leopard. so yun, i was using tiger PB on my leopard kaya ayaw tumakbo! now its ok na! thanks for the help!

nina