RAM for my Macbook.

My Macbook right now has 512 MB of RAM, and it's always been sort of slow for a Macbook.

So I'm thinking of just asking for a 1GB stick of RAM for Christmas.

My question Where can I get these pretty cheap? And are they hard to install, or can I handle installing it myself?

I remember ppc macs being picky (datamem.com seemed popular as a store for macs then) but now with the intel macs you should be fine going to regular places like newegg and just picking out a good deal.

Here's a good one at a great price AR (make sure it meets your specs)
http//www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227099[]http//www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227099

Easy to install
http//docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303721[]http//docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303721

How can I check to make sure it'll fit my computer?

Well, that page says you'll need
"Both memory slots can accept an SDRAM module that meets the following specifications

li Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR SO-DIMM) format
li 1.25 inch or smaller
li 512 MB or 1 gigabyte (GB)
li 200-pin
li PC2-5300 DDR2 667 MHz Type RAM"

The one I linked to was PC2-5400 which means it can go a bit faster than the PC2-5300 but it should work fine (reviews say it works well in a macbook). You can also just browse through the 200-pin PC2-5300 DDR2 667 MHz notebook ram at newegg or elsewhere.

I just wanted you to make sure yourself before you buy so that you won't blame me if it doesn't work for you. wink

Crucial.com has software that does a check to tell you what RAM will work in your PC. You can then take that info and shop around with it

[quotea9437121b5="CollidgeGraduit"]Crucial.com has software that does a check to tell you what RAM will work in your PC. You can then take that info and shop around with it[/quotea9437121b5]

The software actually doesn't work with a Mac but you can pick your model and etc from a dropdown menu. Just go up to your Apple logo in the top left corner and click "About this Mac" and then you have the information you need to select your computer.

I just ordered 2 1GB RAM sticks for my PPC iMac so I'm hoping it's not too hard. I heard it was easy to install and I'll let you know the quality when I get it today or tomorrow if you are curious about Crucial.

Thanks for the help, dudes. All info is great.

FWIW Crucial is excellent quality RAM at a good price so don't be shy about ordering it from there, if you're not comfortable taking their specs and trying to order elsewhere.

Sounds good. I'm not picky about my RAM—I don't know computer hardware well enough to make my own choices on it, for the most part.

[quote49c23dc43a="dmorris68"]FWIW Crucial is excellent quality RAM at a good price so don't be shy about ordering it from there, if you're not comfortable taking their specs and trying to order elsewhere.[/quote49c23dc43a]

Newegg has crucial for cheaper.

[quote7c3969a256="kidd2108"][quote7c3969a256="dmorris68"]FWIW Crucial is excellent quality RAM at a good price so don't be shy about ordering it from there, if you're not comfortable taking their specs and trying to order elsewhere.[/quote7c3969a256]

Newegg has crucial for cheaper.[/quote7c3969a256]
I've found that to be true sometimes, but not always. First, Newegg doesn't always carry every Crucial SKU. Second, now that Newegg charges shipping on most things (and Crucial doesn't), they aren't always cheaper out the door.

Still, it does pay to comparison shop. IIRC you can take the Crucial part # from Crucial's website and search Newegg for it, if you're not sure about getting the RAM specs right.

This would be a christmas present (to me), so I would want to suggest a link with constant prices, since I don't think my family will know how to shop for deals and I can't really buy it for myself.

It looks like all Intel Macbooks and Macbook Pro's take DDR2 667/PC2-5300.

Newegg uses different mfg part numbers for their Crucial RAM. Here is a 1GB stick of Crucial for $23.99[=http//www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145048]Here is a 1GB stick of Crucial for $23.99 from Newegg. They are in fact offering free shipping on Crucial, so it is cheaper than Crucial direct at $29.99[=http//www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=EA470FCCA5CA7304]Crucial direct at $29.99.

Whoa, the last time I checked for RAM, it was like $400. I don't know where I found that price but I expected it to be way more expensive than that.

Thanks for the link, David. And thanks to everyone else who responded; this was exactly what I was looking for.

[quote8cf04763ba="dmorris68"]It looks like all Intel Macbooks and Macbook Pro's take DDR2 667/PC2-5300.

Newegg uses different mfg part numbers for their Crucial RAM. Here is a 1GB stick of Crucial for $23.99[=http//www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145048]Here is a 1GB stick of Crucial for $23.99 from Newegg. They are in fact offering free shipping on Crucial, so it is cheaper than Crucial direct at $29.99[=http//www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=EA470FCCA5CA7304]Crucial direct at $29.99.[/quote8cf04763ba]


picked up that RAM from Newegg for my MacBook got delivered today. Installed it and it works great. Thanks for the link dmorris, and thanks ilanbg for reminding me that I needed to upgrade to 2GB

[quote23e0d54576="ilanbg"]Whoa, the last time I checked for RAM, it was like $400.
[/quote23e0d54576]

LOL, I bet you are pretty happy. lol

Yo! You probably already upgraded the RAM, but I wanted to let you know that I recently bought two Crucial 1GB sticks off Buy.com for $24.99 - $10 new Google Checkout user and free shipping. I had my friend buy me the other so I got both sticks for $30 total. It should be here tomorrow or Tuesday, and I can't wait =] I've been running 1GB for the past year and a half and feel it's time to upgrade to 2GB. I'm also looking into a bigger hard drive.

I haven't upgraded the RAM yet, it will probably happen after Christmas.

But I'm running 512MB so I definitely need an upgrade... this computer lags at the slightest touch.