The Difference between iMac Memory and MacBook Pro Memory

Hey Marshall. Did you try the Crucial web site yet? That may get you the info you need.

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/apple-memory

You would need to furnish info regarding your exact model/year of your various machines as the RAM for a 2006 Macbook might not be the same as for one from 2009. This applies to most models. You can look up all the specs once you have that info here:

http://www.everymac.com/

It contains all the specs for all the models.

However, what concerns me is purchasing cheap RAM - Macs do not work well with cheap RAM - they are very particular. I would not recommend any RAM for any Mac unless it is from Crucial or OWC (macsales.com). I don't care if the so called specs appear to be correct - it still may not work, especially if it is marked "value" RAM. If you buy from one of the recommended vendors, you don't need to know anything except your model identifier and year.

What are the differences between iMac RAM and MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air RAM? Are they no different will it work or not? Is there anything I need to know, like the differences between PC3L and PC3?

I can't be more specific without knowing exactly which model(s) you are referring to. Sorry you are not able to check the specs.

And, it makes no sense spending a lot of money on a computer and then taking a chance with cheap RAM.

Good luck.

Here is the RAM for a mid 2012 MBP and a retina iMac:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/1600DDR3S08S/

They appear to use the same RAM.

I would advise against the RAM offered on ebay as it is not exactly the same (voltage).

I'm not sure that is RAM that came with a 2012 iMac as this is what it says:

PC3-14900 (DDR3-1866)

whereas the RAM for that same iMac state this: 8.0GB PC3-12800 1600MHz

See the specs for that item here (being offered on Amazon):

http://www.amazon.com/Hynix-DDR3-1866-14900-MEM-DR380L-HL02-ER18/dp/B00HUAGZ9S

that mentions that it is 240 pin rather than the 204 pin needed. So you better make sure it is 204 pin.

Based on the different specs, I would not trust the seller at all.

I'm sorry, but I am done here - I cannot in good conscience recommend that you install the incorrect RAM just to save a few dollars.

FWIW, purchasing RAM that has come out of someone else machine and

put it up for sale on EBAY is a risky proposition in and of itself and could

very well cost you more in the long run than just buying new RAM from

a reputable source!

Also, your Mac is a quality computer. Putting in cheap RAM is like putting

retread tires on a new Mercedes.

Also, I have been down this road. Put PNY RAM in my late 2013 27" iMac.

All the specs said it should work but ended up with frequent crashes, app

freezes, and kernel panics. I replaced all the RAM with 32GB of RAM from

OWC and the iMac has been running silky smooth ever since.

memory modes are very sensitive to statics so it's easy to fry or introduce a periodic defect if not handled with care

the later could only become apparent later on and would be rather difficult to prove was not introduced by you to take care