User profile for user: Carl Garcia1
Carl Garcia1 Author
User level: Level 1
30 points

Upgrading Ram on a 300 Mhz clamshell

Can I put a 512 MB ram chip in my Tangerine ibook?
Mac Mall said I could only add a 128 MB chip.
Mac Zone said I could go up to a 256. Mac connections said 256 as well.
I thought I had read in the discussions area that I could add up to a 512 chip on the ibook.

I want to use the 512 if possible to help with OS X performance. I'm also still a little fuzzy on how to minimize the size of the install on a 3 GB hard drive. I am supposed to limit the numbers of languages and printer drivers. Are those things I need to delete after installing the OS or will I need to do some kind of custome install?

Thanks in advance

CG

ibook 300 Mhz Mac OS 9.2.x

Posted on Mar 17, 2006 1:03 PM

Reply
14 replies
User profile for user: maciscool
maciscool
User level: Level 3
586 points

Mar 17, 2006 2:17 PM in response to Carl Garcia1

Can I put a 512 MB ram chip in my Tangerine ibook?
Yes you can put a 512 MB RAM chip in the ibook. as long as it is a 144 pin SODIMM chip running at 66 MHz

Minimizing the install size.
When you are installing the system you can choose to do a default install, or custom install. Choose the custom install and choose not to install all of the languages and printer drivers. But a 3 GB HD is kind of small, and hard drives are not that expensive, I would get at least a 20 GB HD.
Reply
User profile for user: Adam Coates
Adam Coates
User level: Level 4
1,855 points

Mar 17, 2006 2:36 PM in response to Carl Garcia1

Carl,

512Mb should work fine giving you 544Mb.

3Gb is really not credible for OS X, the System folder alone is 900Mb in Panther not including any Applications or User documents.

When you install OS X you will have the option to ignore Languages and Printer Drives on the 'Customize' button - this will help somewhat. You certainly won't have the space to be installing the iLife apps or much in the way of multimedia files - especially as you need to leave at least 10% of the drive free for smooth running. If you want to hang on to the Clamshell it's worth considering a new Hard Drive. Remember to update the firmware before installing OS X and back-up all your data before doing any system update.

regards

mrtotes
Message was edited by: Adam Coates. Whoops 6 minutes too slow. Sorry!!!

Reply
User profile for user: Renchan
Renchan
User level: Level 1
0 points

Mar 21, 2006 9:56 AM in response to maciscool

Hi,

I am a novice of Apple computers including the iBook Special Edition (FireWire, 466 Mhz, PowerPC G3 processor). I try to find out whether a Virtium PC100, 512 MB, 144-pin SODIMM RAM (the thickness is about 0.25") would fit into this iBook's memory expansion slot.

This RAM module's physical dimemtions is 2.66" (width) x 1.05" (depth) x 0.25" (thickness) when it is laid flat and in the position like to be iserted into the expansion slot. Virtium's (an OEM) technician warns me that this module might be too thick to be put into any notebook computers.

I greatly appreciate your information.
Reply
User profile for user: Adam Coates
Adam Coates
User level: Level 4
1,855 points

Mar 21, 2006 10:30 AM in response to Renchan

Renchan,

Welcome to Apple Discussions.

SODIMMs are designed for laptops in general and the description you give is exactly the memory the iBook 466 SE requires. I would unclip the keyboard - undo the screws that hold the Airport Card bracket - and see if it looks like there'll be space.

Personally I've only seen any real variation in the depth of the modules on desktop RAM.


If an OEM isn't producing standard size products personally I'd take my business elsewhere.

ramseeker.com

regards

mrtotes

Reply
User profile for user: Renchan
Renchan
User level: Level 1
0 points

Mar 21, 2006 12:48 PM in response to Adam Coates

Hi Adam,

I greatly appreciate your fast response. Virtium's technician told me that this module is made of stacking 2 chips together; therefore each stacked chips' height is about 0.1", the chip's tooth height not included, I guess. There are chips on both side of the module board. I am wondering whether anyone here knows how to find out that a module of 0.25" thickness could fit into the memory expansion slot, including allowing the metal plate to properly close. I don't have a proper tool to get the physical measurement.

Apple's technical support asks me to call its headquarters to get information about the memory expansion slot thickness limitation. I am afraid of making that call because of my aticipated difficulty from its official technical support department.

Thanks again for anyone's inputs.
Reply
User profile for user: Renchan
Renchan
User level: Level 1
0 points

Mar 21, 2006 2:47 PM in response to MacRicky

Hi MacRicky,

I greatly appreciate the web links for RAM pricing, which is very informative for the alternatives. In the mean time, I am still waiting for the information about the maximum tallness of the RAM module that iBook SE's expansion slot can accept.

In the web page, there are some modules' tallness is 0.2", which is giving me some hope that this 0.25" module might fit. I have paid the purchase of this 0.25" tall module at my request of holding its shippment. The sales is final. I am evaluating my options.

I appreciate all inputs.
Reply
User profile for user: Duane
Duane
User level: Level 10
124,293 points

Mar 22, 2006 9:40 AM in response to Renchan

You can plug it in and see, but I will bet that the keyboard will not snap down properly and be bowed up. According to this page from the iBook's developer note, the SO-DIMM should be 3.8 mm thick or less. (3.8 mm ~= 0.14 in)

In the early (and cheap) attempts at high-density SO-DIMM modules, many manufacturers stacked parts or used thick (inexpensive) parts. SO-DIMMs created in this way work in some devices but won't work in the iBook. Years ago in my search for a 512 MB SO-DIMM the first one I received was too thick. The retailer exchanged the item for one that was much thinner.
Reply
User profile for user: Renchan
Renchan
User level: Level 1
0 points

Mar 22, 2006 10:05 AM in response to Renchan

Hi, the following information is an abstract from the page Duane recommended. This information might be helpful to the others too. Though the text says 1.0-1.25 or 1.35 inches, I interpret it as 0.1-0.125 or 0.135 inches. Please help correct if I am wrong.

"...The specification defines SO-DIMMs with nominal heights of 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, or 2.0 inches. The iBook can accommodate standard SO-DIMMs with a height of 1.0 or 1.25 inches. It can accommodate an SO-DIMM up to 1.35 inches high, absolute maximum..."

The JEDEC specification defines the maximum depth or thickness of an SO-DIMM as 3.8 mm. That specification is also a maximum: Modules that exceed the specified thickness can cause reliability problems.

Source:
--------------------
© 2000 Apple Computer, Inc. – (Last Updated 07 Sep 00)
Reply
User profile for user: Renchan
Renchan
User level: Level 1
0 points

Mar 22, 2006 10:50 AM in response to Duane

Hi Duane,

Thanks again for the correction. The last thing I want to do is to give wrong information.

Regarding the terms for RAM module's dimentions measurement, I did confuse people probably due to my not being an engineer. I have seen different terms for the same dimention of a RAM module on different RAM sellers' sites. Would it be possible that the terms of thickness, tallness, height, depth, width, and length could change depending on how a RAM module is positioned? What is commonly accepted position when a RAM module is measured?

Originally, I term the RAM module's dimensions the way when it is laid in the slot; thus I term them: Width, depth, and tallness when the module is in iBook's memory expansion slot. I guess that I am wrong again. If the RAM module is positioned in a regular desktop, vs. laid flat in iBook, like a SIMM or DIMM, the previous mentioned term could change to Width, tallness (height), and thickness (or depth).

I greatly appreciate your providing the information from that MAC Developer's Forum.
Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Upgrading Ram on a 300 Mhz clamshell

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up