512 MB in Clamshell iBook?

MDLarson

MDLarson

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We have the 366 MHz "graphite" special edition iBook. After visiting this link, I've learned that my iBook (which now has 128 MB total) is capable of its internal 64 MB chip plus a 512 MB chip.

Is this the chip I need? Any other recommended memory sources? Can I just spec out any old 512 SODIMM chip?

By the way, we've been running OS X on it and it runs pretty good except for the occasional stalling out sometimes (with the rainbow beach ball). This is my main motivation for upgrading the RAM.
 
MDLarson said:
We have the 366 MHz "graphite" special edition iBook. After visiting this link, I've learned that my iBook (which now has 128 MB total) is capable of its internal 64 MB chip plus a 512 MB chip.

Is this the chip I need? Any other recommended memory sources? Can I just spec out any old 512 SODIMM chip?

By the way, we've been running OS X on it and it runs pretty good except for the occasional stalling out sometimes (with the rainbow beach ball). This is my main motivation for upgrading the RAM.
Click to expand...

I would get THIS ONE from the same supplier (no true reason, only that YOUR model is in the description for this chip, and it's the same price) Yes, I would agree with going from 128 MB to 576 MB should make a big difference in performance of your system.
 
My old graphite, same as yours, has 384 of ram and it handles Jaguar just fine. I haven't had the time to install Panther on it, but I don't see having any problems with it.
 
DeltaMac said:
I would get THIS ONE from the same supplier (no true reason, only that YOUR model is in the description for this chip, and it's the same price) Yes, I would agree with going from 128 MB to 576 MB should make a big difference in performance of your system.
Click to expand...
Ah... thanks for that tip; I must have missed that one. :)
 
I have an iBook Graphite Special Edition and it only accepts 256 meg addition for 320 total, which is what I have.

I installed Panther and it works relatively well. (The only beef I have is that Panther doesn't seem to like 800x600 very well, but it's manageable.)
 
All iBooks, even the original, can use a 512MB, as long as it will physically fit into the slot (some are too big) and the firmware is up-to-date. If you are running Panther, then yours is certainly up-to-date. Not many suppliers have ram that is supposed to work, the links in this thread do, I have a 512 MB from this company in a blueberry iBook, works good, But that 800 x 600 is a big limitation, no way around that.
 
Hey! I thought it wasn't possible to upgrade my memory! I have a Special Edition 466 MHz iBook, and I really need to upgrade my RAM so I can work faster. But should I consider having a professional install it for me? Last time I took my iBook a part (to install a new HD) it was a mess, and it left me without a working keyboard or trackpad (I use external now).
 
Trip said:
Hey! I thought it wasn't possible to upgrade my memory! I have a Special Edition 466 MHz iBook, and I really need to upgrade my RAM so I can work faster. But should I consider having a professional install it for me? Last time I took my iBook a part (to install a new HD) it was a mess, and it left me without a working keyboard or trackpad (I use external now).
Click to expand...

RAM on the iBook is considered by Apple to be a customer installable part.
Apple only admits to 256MB possible in the user memory slot, but 3rd party vendors have found that 512 MB works perfectly.
Clamshell iBooks don't get disassembled just to change the RAM, there's only one slot, it's under the keyboard... (takes 5 minutes, if you're clumsy, nothing like the hard drive swap :( )
Here's a QuickTime movie clip from the Apple support page showing how that's done.
 
DeltaMac » damn, I was told the max memory was 320 for my iBook, and I think upgrading to 512 would probably improve performance...

Trip » As for installing RAM, it's super simple, just be gentle with that flat data cable connecting your keyboard and you'll be fine, I did it in two and a half minutes...


EDIT: Actually checking top with just the Finder, Terminal, and Safari running I still have 134 meg physmem free, so I'm not too worried anymore ;)
 
I didn't know it was so easy! But I'm still not sure about doing it myself. What would you say the chances of an average person installing it and messing it up are?

Final question: so should I buy a stick of 512 RAM? How much would that cost me?

Thanks to everybody for the help! :)
 
Well that depends what you're going to use it for. I would say probably 320 is enough if you're just installing Panther and doing general business-type work, especially given the processor is relatively slow. I'm fine with 320 (256), it cost me 89$ aftermarket with a student discount.

As for installing and making a mistake, as long as you're gentle and you ground yourself, and you try not to touch the ram chips, and you do NOT touch the ram contacts (the gold part) it's easy as pie! In fact, sliding the ram chip in takes quite a bit of force, just push 'till the click, push down, screw the ram shield back on, slide the keyboard back in...dead simple, lots of room for error.
 
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