Will Apple Store Install Other RAM Brands?

Amie

Amie

Mac Convert for Life
I want to buy a 1GB RAM chip for my iBook G4 (currently 256MB RAM), but I don't want to buy it from Apple.com because it costs $300. I can get it from Crucial.com for $100. If I buy it from Crucial and bring my laptop and the RAM into my local Apple store, will they install it for me? (I'll pay the 30 bucks or whatever they charge to install it.) I don't want to waste my money and then bring it over to them and have them say, "Oh, I'm sorry, we only install RAM bought from our Web site."

Anyone know for sure?

(NOTE: Yes, I know I can install the RAM myself. I prefer not to.)
 
Definitely getting mixed answers on the Internet. Some people are saying Apple installs third-party RAM (like from Crucial), and other people are saying they only install RAM bought from Apple. WHICH is it??? LOL
 
Tell them you bought it on apple.com if they seriously ask you where you got it from.
 
Lt Major Burns said:
ask.

them i mean. please don't pay $300 for $70 ram by getting through apple.
Click to expand...

I know! Believe me, I loathe the idea of paying that much, but I'm scared that if I buy elsewhere, it will be sub-par quality RAM and Apple won't install it for me. :(

fryke said:
Tell them you bought it on apple.com if they seriously ask you where you got it from.
Click to expand...

You're kidding, right? Wouldn't they know the difference?
 
fryke said:
Tell them you bought it on apple.com if they seriously ask you where you got it from.
Click to expand...

Likely it'll have a sticker on it; or worse, printed or etched name. If removed, it'll void any warranty.

However, the odds of getting bad RAM are slim. Biggest problem is incompatable RAM, which is highly likely; especially with Apple's highly "touchy" RAM requirements.
 
I don't think I've ever seen apple-labeled RAM, but that's not to say they don't, and they may know the names of generic providers. You can call your local AppleStore, and press a button to be connected to a Genius, they should be able to verify.
 
SGilbert said:
Likely it'll have a sticker on it; or worse, printed or etched name. If removed, it'll void any warranty.

However, the odds of getting bad RAM are slim. Biggest problem is incompatable RAM, which is highly likely; especially with Apple's highly "touchy" RAM requirements.
Click to expand...

I thought RAM from Crucial.com was Apple compatible? See, that's why I'm thinking of just saying screw it and paying Apple's stupid price. What if I fork out 100 bucks for RAM from some third-party (like Crucial) and it's not compatible with my laptop? Then I'm out 100 bucks, which could've went toward Apple RAM.
 
Crucial has a warrantee in which they will replace incompatible RAM.

Crucial guarantees that the recommended upgrades will be compatible with your system, or we'll give you your money back.
Click to expand...
 
Maybe compatability was the wrong word to use....Let's try "Tolerance".

Apple's RAM tolerance is very narrow.
 
Amie - not to be a smartass, but you are making a mountain out of a molehill with this - go to the crucial.com website, get the customer service number, and call them! They will tell you exactly what type of RAM you need for your iBook - and they will guaranty its compatibility and also explain to you about the lifetime replacement warranty as well.

Also - go to http://consultants.apple.com/consultant/search.html and find a list of apple consultants close to you to get a quote on the cost to install the RAM for you.

The easiest thing to do is install it yourself - it is probably the simplest thing you will ever do in your life: you would have to be the worlds biggest moron to screw it up - and we both know you are not!

Always face and confront your fears - sage advice from a wise man i once met. :)
 
g/re/p said:
Amie - not to be a smartass, but you are making a mountain out of a molehill with this - go to the crucial.com website, get the customer service number, and call them! They will tell you exactly what type of RAM you need for your iBook - and they will guaranty its compatibility and also explain to you about the lifetime replacement warranty as well.

Also - go to http://consultants.apple.com/consultant/search.html and find a list of apple consultants close to you to get a quote on the cost to install the RAM for you.

The easiest thing to do is install it yourself - it is probably the simplest thing you will ever do in your life: you would have to be the worlds biggest moron to screw it up - and we both know you are not!

Always face and confront your fears - sage advice from a wise man i once met. :)
Click to expand...

You're not a smart-ass. You've helped me quite a bit. And I truly appreciate your knowledge ... and your tolerance for my dementia. :)

I was all set to install the RAM myself ... but then I did some research and saw that it took about an HOUR to install (from some other persons that are a LOT more techy than I am, so it would probably take me a day or two). I also learned that there are many screws involved (none of which are the same size). Not something I want to jump into. I can just see myself chasing screws of various shapes and sizes as they roll across my kitchen floor and under the fridge. :eek:

P.S. Thank you for the link. I just e-mailed them. Hopefully, I'll have a 1GB iBook soon. Whooooo!
 
it does NOT take an hour. i think most people could do it with about 2-3 minutes. 5 minutes if you have to find a screw driver.

please Amie, it's really really easy. the only thing easier than this is plugging a usb pen in.

crucials website's front page has a drop down menu thing to find the exact ram for a 2005 1.2ghz iBook G4. then it lets you buy it for a reasonable price, and has a full guarantee on it.

then you lift your user-serviceable keyboard by the plastic tabs, unscrew the guard covering the ram (two standard consumer screws), and push the ram into the only available place it can possibly go. give it a good shove for good luck.

screw the guard back into place, replace the keyboard and turn on. and marvel at your 1.2gb of Ram. without a hitch.
 
Wow - let's check!
lift up keyboard
unclip the Airport card and slide out.
Remove 4 small screws (all the same size)
Lift up ram cover plate.
install RAM (only one way for it to go in)
replace cover plate/ same 4 screws
slide Airport card in 'til it gently clicks, and reset the holding clip.
lower keyboard back into position.

Should take about 2 minutes, sir - maybe 5 if it's your first time.

There's even a diagram under your keyboard to help you...!
You're not the same idiot that I was (when I stripped one of the small screws right in front of the friend that I was 'helping' :) )
 
Believe me, I know. I've read the online instructions. It looks scary. :eek:

And, yes, I probably would be the same idiot you were and strip the screws.

But, alas, rest assured that I will NOT buy RAM from Apple at $300. No way. I'm going to buy it from Crucial and either install it myself (not likely) or go to one of those non-Apple-store Mac places (more likely).

Either way, it's all good. And I thank you all for your help.
 
please say you'll try... and with screws, the best way to not strip them is be forceful, but at the same time, slow, considered and gentle.

think massive 15mph digger vs 60mph motorbike. when you're unscrewing delicate screws, you want to be the big slow strong digger.
 
Well, it's a done deal. I've placed my order for a 1GB RAM from Crucial.com ($100 including tax, and I even got free shipping!) ... AND ... I talked to the managers at both Circuit City and CompUSA and they have techs who will install the RAM for me right in front of me (no taking my computer off to the back of the store and, oops, there's a mysterious scratch or crack on my iBook) and will only cost 30 bucks. Not bad! I'm happy. :)

BTW, for the record, no, the Apple store will NOT install any RAM unless it's bought from Apple.com. Buncha bastids.
 
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