PC4200 vs PC2700

I was wondering this as well. On Crucial's website, it looks like the notch is slightly different on the DDR2 vs DDR, but I don't know if those pics are accurate.

Anyone?

Hi,

When I got my 17" PB, I got an extra 1 Gig Ram for it (to put in later). Later came and it did not work... it was the same Ram as this 15" takes. So, I went back to the Apple store and told them the "notch" was wrong. They looked it up with the Model Number and I needed the PC2 4200 DDR2, which they did not have. So he looked it up again and gave me a DDR2-667 PC2-5300 SODIMM. It was half the price as the original and the notch works, and so does the 17" PB. I put the other one in this 15" PB since I could not exchange it (too late).
If you have the "combo" drive, it's one type... if you have the "super" DL drive, it's another. Model number M-9462LL/A takes the 2700 version, and M-9969LL/A and M-9970LL/A takes the 4200... and the cheaper 5300 listed above works in it even tho it is faster, it runs at the speed of the PB Buss speed.

The notch is in a slight different spot on the 4200 and the 2700 so do not try it. Looking in the "System Profiler" will tell you what is "Actually" in your computer and working... as all 17" PB's are not the same, Apple made a mid-line change in the process.

There may also be a cross-reference for the 2700 type, maybe the 667 speed and maybe half price too... as long as the notch works.

Good Luck

I'm looking to install 2x1GB memory cards into my 17" Powerbook 1.5 GHz G4. It is supposed to take PC2700 DDR 333MHz SO-DIMM but can I use PC4200 DDR2 533MHz SO-DIMM?

Welcome to the Apple discussions.

DDR2 cannot be used in place of DDR memory. The notch on the memory card is different to prevent that. Besides looking at OWC, check Crucial at http://www.crucial.com and Kingston at http://www.kingston.com (not the Kingston value ram memory, however). At OWC, consider Samsung. Samsung, Crucial, and Kingston are three brands that work reliably in our Powerbooks, and you can scan the discussions for other brands that have worked for people.

As you've probably noticed, memory prices can vary, even week-to-week. Today, For 1GB, Crucial is $89 (you can usually find a 5%-10% off coupon online), Kingston is $96, and Samsung at OWC is $120. All three brands you can often buy locally, too.