Memory in new iBook

Question

Level 1

0 points

Memory in new iBook

Hello!

I am about to buy a new iBook, and the question of extra RAM seems to be very confusing. Even the part numbers seem to change...

Anyway, I have an iBook G4 1 GHz 14" (M9418) with an extra 512 Mb RAM chip and a dead logic board. The RAM chip is Kingston KTA-PBG4266/512 which, according to Kingston's web site (also welovemacs.com), equates to Apple M9002. It's a PC2100 DDR266 SODIMM.

However, according to the iBook memory (RAM) guide http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302333, the correct Apple part number is M9683. But Kingston and welovemacs.com do not recognise this number, while the Apple Store site does not recognise M9002.

Anyway, am I correct in believing that this memory will work in the 1.33 GHz iBook 12" M9846, but it will not work in the 1.42 GHz iBook 14" M9848?

Thanks in advance... It seems to be so difficult to get concrete information on this.

Jon

ibook g4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Mar 28, 2006 5:00 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Deme

Level 4

1,140 points

Mar 28, 2006 12:01 PM in response to baggish

So here's the deal. Ram is all about 2 things. First the actual size (256 MB, 512 MB, etc) The more the better. Next is the speed of the ram (PC 2100, PC 2700, PC 3200, etc.) Also the faster the better. But the newer the machine the faster the ram it can handle. But the nice thing about ram it that it is backward compatible, so you can but faster ram in an oler machine and the machine will "slow down" the ram so that is will work in the machine.

Your new ibook requires PC 2700 ram while the older model needs PC 2100. So the old (PC 2100) ram won't work in your ibook. But PC 2700 ram would work in an older ibook.

Hope this helps

Reply

Answer 2

--JB--

Level 5

4,087 points

Mar 28, 2006 12:53 PM in response to baggish

Hi Baggish,

Welcome to Apple Discussions

Don't go by the part number, go by the actual RAM itself. You want to go by the facts (PC2100 DDR266 200pin). I believe the reason they don't match up is the part number not universal, its the companies. The other thing is that it might be a different company who makes the RAM. I would use Crucial.com.

Jon

Reply

Answer 3

--JB--

Level 5

4,087 points

Mar 28, 2006 12:57 PM in response to Deme

Deme,

I don't believe the 1Ghz iBook G4 14" uses PC2700 DDR333, but it is backwards compatible with PC2100 DDR266. I think that in this case the iBook can use both, but the PC2700 would probably cost more (PC2700 would not be more beneficial then the PC2100; it would operate as PC2100).

Jon

Reply

Answer 4

Deme

Level 4

1,140 points

Mar 28, 2006 1:03 PM in response to --JB--

Oh, right... I thought he said he was trying to find ram for the new 1.42 Ghz ibook

Reply

Answer 5

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Mar 28, 2006 1:45 PM in response to baggish

baggish, Welcome to the discussion area!

You probably want to read the thread I think my Apple Store sold me the wrong memory for my new iBook and look at the links in my post for the iBook developer note. You will notice that it states that the new iBook requires PC2100 but can use PC2700. That information is not what Apple states in the published iBook specifications.

Anyway, am I correct in believing that this memory will work in the 1.33 GHz iBook 12" M9846, but it will not work in the 1.42 GHz iBook 14" M9848?

It will probably work in either.

Reply

Answer 6

baggish Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 28, 2006 3:52 PM in response to Duane

Thanks for your replies!

Quote Deme:

Oh, right... I thought he said he was trying to find ram for the new 1.42 Ghz ibook.

Yes, I have a PC2100 DDR266 SODIMM in my dead 1 GHz iBook. I was trying to establish whether it will work in a new 1.33 GHz iBook and/or a new 1.42 GHz iBook. Maybe it will be a factor in deciding which one to buy.

Quote Duane:

You probably want to read the thread I think my Apple Store sold me the wrong memory for my new iBook and look at the links in my post for the iBook developer note. You will notice that it states that the new iBook requires PC2100 but can use PC2700. That information is not what Apple states in the published iBook specifications.

Anyway, am I correct in believing that this memory will work in the 1.33 GHz iBook 12" M9846, but it will not work in the 1.42 GHz iBook 14" M9848?

It will probably work in either.

OK, the extract from the manual in the " PC2100 in a 12" ibook" thread seems to agree with what I thought: I can use my existing memory in the 12" but not the 14".

Thanks for your help!

Jon

ibook g4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Reply

Answer 7

--JB--

Level 5

4,087 points

Mar 28, 2006 4:31 PM in response to baggish

Hi Baggish,

Did Duane solve your problem? If so, do you mind awarding Duane solved points by clicking the solved button (next to the name)? The reason is it encourages people think before postings and to try to solve the problem/help. There is one solved and two helpful. It is also proper etiquette to give them these points because the more points gained, the closer they get to moving up a level. The level system shows how helpful someone (usually) is. Its kind of complicated system; I think.

Jon

Reply

Answer 8

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Mar 28, 2006 7:45 PM in response to baggish

The link in the other thread that I referenced will take you to the "The RAM Expansion Module" in the iBook developer note. In there it states

The RAM expansion slot accommodates a standard DDR266B (PC2100) SO-DIMM (small outline, dual inline memory module) that uses SDRAM devices.

Note: The iBook can accommodate a DDR333 (PC2700) device; however it will run at only 266 MHz.

Notice that it does not differentiate between the 12" and 14".

Reply

Answer 9

baggish Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 29, 2006 5:42 AM in response to Duane

The link in the other thread that I referenced will take you to the "The RAM Expansion Module" in the iBook developer note. In there it states

The RAM expansion slot accommodates a standard DDR266B (PC2100) SO-DIMM (small outline, dual inline memory module) that uses SDRAM devices.

Note: The iBook can accommodate a DDR333 (PC2700) device; however it will run at only 266 MHz.

Notice that it does not differentiate between the 12" and 14".

But the manual does differentiate, so which one is definitive? The manual is more detailed, but maybe the iBook developer note is a better source? If I get the 14" and test my memory and it doesn't work, will it just not work, or will it damage something? I already have a feeling ibook logic boards are quite fragile...

The memory slot can accept an SDRAM module that meets the following specifications:
• Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR SO-DIMM) format
• 1.25 inch or smaller
• 128, 256, 512 MB, or 1 gigabyte (GB)
• 200-pin
• PC2700 DDR 333 Type RAM for the 14-inch iBook G4
• A minimum of PC2100 DDR 266 Type RAM for the 12-inch iBook G4. You can use
PC2700 DDR 333 Type RAM with the 12-inch iBook G4, but it will still run at PC2100
DDR 266 speed.

Sorry about the points thing, I've fixed that now.

Jon

ibook g4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Reply

Answer 10

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Mar 29, 2006 7:21 AM in response to baggish

If I get the 14" and test my memory and it doesn't work, will it just not work, or will it damage something?

It won't damage anything. It will either work or not work.

You seem to be in a lot of angst over this. Why not spend the $100US to get a new 1 GB PC2700 device and not worry?

Reply

Answer 11

baggish Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 30, 2006 1:37 AM in response to Duane

Lol, yeah, you're right, I just like to have reliable information and to know what's right...

Anyway, thanks again for your help.

Jon

ibook g4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Reply