Personal computing discussed

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firewarrior565
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Apple Laptop Memory

Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:50 pm

I'm trying to hunt down some 2x4GB 1600mhz sticks for an Apple laptop. I see Newegg has the Mac memory category but does it really matter? Say I bought some 1600mhz Corsair SODIMM sticks on the PC site is it really possible for a compatibility issue?
 
Arvald
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Re: Apple Laptop Memory

Mon Jan 14, 2013 4:09 pm

you are probably safe... all I could dig up was the specs on a set of Corsair sticks for Mac

CAS Latency: CL11
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Memory Speed: 1600 MHz
Memory Standard: DDR3-1600/PC3-12800
Memory Technology: DDR3 SDRAM
Memory Voltage: 1.4 V
Number of Modules: 2 x 8 GB
 
rado992
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Re: Apple Laptop Memory

Mon Jan 14, 2013 4:47 pm

Also, make sure the RAM on the laptop you're trying to upgrade is in SODIMMs and is user-accessible. Some macbooks have soldered-on memory to reduce the thickness (and prevent upgrades, instead suggesting you buy new laptop). Which macbook are we talking about? :)
ASUS X99 Deluxe|FD Define R5|Corsair RM1000|i7-5930K 4GHz|Corsair H110i GT|64GB DDR4-2666|GTX 970 G1|ASUS Xonar DX|Samsung 850 Evo 500GB|12TB Storage
HP Elitebook 2560p|Core i7 2760QM|16GB DDR3 1333|Crucial BX100 250GB
 
ClickClick5
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Re: Apple Laptop Memory

Mon Jan 14, 2013 4:51 pm

With modern macs, regular PC ram will do just fine.
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sjl
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Re: Apple Laptop Memory

Mon Jan 14, 2013 4:53 pm

firewarrior565 wrote:
I'm trying to hunt down some 2x4GB 1600mhz sticks for an Apple laptop. I see Newegg has the Mac memory category but does it really matter? Say I bought some 1600mhz Corsair SODIMM sticks on the PC site is it really possible for a compatibility issue?


If you aren't sure, I would suggest OWC, at http://www.macsales.com/ - they're very good at identifying what products are needed for which Mac. I've bought from them before, and have had no issues; they've also saved me some money by putting up videos on how to get inside and swap components in Apple laptops. (in my case, an SSD install to replace the stock hard drive - granted, it was only $75 to get the local Mac shop to do it, but still.)
 
Washer
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Re: Apple Laptop Memory

Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:06 pm

Doubt you'll run in to problems.... assuming your MacBook has user replacable RAM in the first place.
 
Arvald
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Re: Apple Laptop Memory

Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:39 am

So far I think it is only the recent Mac Book Pro with Retina that have the soldered RAM. All I seem to remember from my research of upgrading my Mac Mini was to be VERY careful on RAM speed and timings, something Apple must monkey with.
In the end the "Mac" package from Mushkin that I got from NCIX was on sale for cheaper than most regular RAM of the time so it was a no brainer.
 
Norphy
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Re: Apple Laptop Memory

Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:56 am

MacBook Airs have soldered RAM too.

You'd probably be OK with any old RAM but I always buy RAM from the likes of Crucial, Kingston etc where they explicitly declare compatibility.
 
Scrotos
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Re: Apple Laptop Memory

Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:32 am

I second OWC. I used them to upgrade from 2 GB to 8 GB on my Macbook Pro C2D. The RAM wasn't too much more expensive than other places and I was happy with knowing they knew exactly what junk would work for my model.

And yeah, I think the Air was the first with soldered on RAM for Apple. I can't think of any off the top of my head beyond that? Any of you macheads know other models besides that and the Retina?
 
derFunkenstein
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Re: Apple Laptop Memory

Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:42 am

The new 21.5" iMacs don't have RAM access doors. Don't know if it's soldered or not, but it's certainly not possible to upgrade.

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/10/23/21- ... ram-slots/
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Scrotos
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Re: Apple Laptop Memory

Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:49 am

derFunkenstein wrote:
The new 21.5" iMacs don't have RAM access doors. Don't know if it's soldered or not, but it's certainly not possible to upgrade.

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/10/23/21- ... ram-slots/


Well, if you can get the sucker open, at least you can replace the RAM: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Int ... wn/11936/3

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