I've recently bought Logic Pro 7 (woo hoo!) and I now need to upgrade my imac, which is currently running OS 10.2.8, to Panther or Tiger, and I also need to upgrade my RAM from 256 to 512. But it looks like this gonna cost about £200 from the Apple shop. So my question is: is there a cheaper way? Can I get these things second-hand? Are ther disadvantages?

Thanks a lot.

Chris

NEVER buy RAM from Apple save if you got the money, it'll be cheaper thru authorized dealers, and even cheaper thru mail order/webshops.

Now, assure yourself before that the RAM is Apple compatible (that is, they warrant it) and of the return policy!!!

See here and Here

Hey glinka. I've purchased RAM a number of times through Other World Computing (it's in the USA, and I'm in Canada). Their prices are competitive and they seem to back up what they sell. They have a great RAM selector process by which you choose your model and it shows you the various types of RAM that will work with it. Check through the various makes available as the price can vary greatly simply by the "name" brand.

There are other threads on RAM (look in mac and peripherals) they will be usefull.

Thanks guys, I'm continuing to look, and will bear your comments in mind.

Which iMac? There are 7 different families of iMac with 7 different types of RAM.
Highly recommend you get the maximum RAM your machine can take.
Crucial and Orca are 2 web-based sellers who serve the UK, if you are located there
Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM

Check out MacRamDirect on the web.

For audio apps I suggest at least 1GB RAM, 512 MB is barely enough to run the OS, and will result in the OS accessing your system disk more, for virtual memory.

Gdoubleyour is dead right OS X coughs on 512 MBn holds the system fine on 712 MB, starts to breath from 1 GB on, screams with MORE. always have at least 1 GB or more. And the more the better especially if you use a lot of plug-ins, samples or virtual instruments.

I'd say (provided you can have them) a reasonable music setup should have between 1,5 and 2,5 GB of RAM.

new RAM even better the old one

For the moment my RAM SAMSUNG HM251JJ Media, and thinking to change it... Which You guys, may conseller to me, than...


dB

And if you told us for which computer is it d3i?

Real Samsung (not just the chips, the whole thing stamped Samsung)
Gskill
Danelec
MBT
…

Are serious stuff, you can have the exact type of ram deep in Apple docs for the computer or on Everymac. I buy my ram in small PC shops, but I'm a warrior

Note that if it's for a MacPro, they are very picky and you should play safely and be sure you can send the RAM back in case it doesn't work as expected.

Mac Book white

but want do it like a PRO

Which white? The latest ?

If so you have to buy a pair of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) modules. You can add 2x 4 GB modules even if Apple says it supports only 2x 2GB.

You can verify the type: it's in the Apple Manual, and you can see the DDR type, and speed, via the apple menu>About this mac>more info>memory

Standard PC SODIMM DDR3 1066 MHz will do it. If you have the choice, choose a CL with the smallest number like 7 (you should'nt find smaller).

If it's not the latest macbook, it's not the same RAM model, so check it.

------------------------------------------------------->
wow, thanks !!!

my "little one" is from 2006, Intel Core Duo, 1.83GHz memory 1GB for the moment... I did new hard drive in 2008 and monitor in 2009... 4 GB ??? hm... he will didn't fly?

I have DDR2 *2 512 MB 667 MHz

--------------------------------> the big problem {as i'm thinking a lots of MAC users} I have problem that corpus usually is very hot

IF I UNDERSTAND WELL HERE IS PROBLEM - in DDR? yes? if i upgrade it to DDR3 and increase speed to 1066MHz???

will be very happy and thank you in advance, if You, lepetitmartien, say Your opinion than...

cause don't want just to buy new Pro and be happy , want to keep this one for all my vole life

THANK YOU and THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

dB

Changing memory just to use fastest one won't help you save pay more at best. At worst (like using DDR3 in DDR2 slots), it won't work or badly (I have not tried and won't even try to).

Macbooks GET hot, got one (core2duo 2 GHz). More memory will help a little (less swapping on the hard drive) but it'll run hot anyway.

Yours needs PC2-5300 DDR2 667 MHz SODIMM memories.

Now the best part (insert trumpets here) :

Even if Apple tells you can have up to 2 GB of memory (2x1GB), in fact you should be able to use 1x1GB and 1x2GB or 2xGB, and have 3 GB to use. The macbook won't recognize more than 3 GB unfortunately. The interest of using 2x2GB is that the memory will be interleaved and more efficient. I have done it a long time ago in mine, and it just work.

Now, one trick to do when you will upgrade is to make a general reset of the macbook with some tricks along the way, as you will disturb his habits :
- with OnyX (download the right one for you OS version, it's important), clear all caches (in preferences, set for the mac to shut down and not restart, we need it this way this time. Then go to "automation" have everything checked save what's about spotlight, mail and the web in the libel. Run the scripts. Once the mac is done, it'll shut down.)
- unplug the macbook, unplug the battery from the mac, press a few seconds the start button to reset the mac itself.
- now change the memory (if you have never done it before, the procedure is in Apple's leaflet and on Apple support site. I won't detail everything as it's well explained at Apple.) Touch metal in the macbook first then proceed. Be careful with the metal strap you have to unscrew, it's easily bendable. To put it back in place once done, use something to push the "moss" in place and screw on. If it's not placed the right way, it'll bend, so be careful and never force, it'll work the job nicely.
- replace the battery, replug the adaptor, start up.
- check you have the expected amount of memory. You should test it (use the Apple Hardware test on the original install DVD)
- and you're a happy camper !

On the heat issue, can you tell me how high does the CPU go when running at full power? (run for example anything using flash… use Istat pro, and give the CPU and heatsink values). If it's higher than 90°C (or way higher than), your fan may be dirty or dying or dead and you should care about it.

I will thinking about that... oh...

dB

hi!

general comment: If you are having overheating problems on a MacBook, you could try running this task bar app, available at

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/23049/smcfancontrol

smcfanControl allows you to manually set the lower limit on fan speed on an Intel MacBook, and keeps things reasonably cool - and its free.

A cooling pad might also a good idea, if you can find one that sets your macBook at a convenient height and angle, and is also quiet enough for your music production environment. I use a Belkin model with integrated USB hub. I like it, but most reviewers hate it, as it goes.



Apologies - it does not appear in the task bar (I was thinking of something else) but should be included as a startup item in your System Preferences Login list.

Hi, Edhened!

Thanks for proposition, but reading reviews about app - first that came to mind: better I clean dust , but not share my System Preferences with it...

but anyway, thanks...



dB

I strongly counsel not to use smcfancontrol, I found it to be a (very) bad idea IMHO. Some users use another controlling software more interesting but more difficult to tune up CoolBok. But it won't help if the fan is dead, dirty or running to its death.

Cooling pads are great, But not all are equal, I use a Zalman Notebook Cooler, it's great, it works (up to 10°C less depending of the use, if I let the seethru on the macbook…). Mind that all cooling pads are not created equal…

I can't seem to be able to join the Zalman website right now…

qui qui J'ai eu the same avis...

...!!! never give Your System Preference to someone, even it is hot

the zaltman website is http://www.zalman.co.kr

- pretty nice things they do...



thank You for information lepetitmartien



dB

Hot is not "too hot" if the computer stays running. Modern computers do generate a large amount of heat.

Do not use third party software that changes the way your macbook maintains its own temperature. These will only increase fan speed and noise with no benefit to your computer's operation.

There are already very smart systems and sensors in your macbook that WILL turn the computer OFF if it gets "too hot"

btw. Apple and Dell ect. stopped calling them "laptops" a long time ago largely because they WILL get too hot to comfortably use on your lap.

if your Mac malfunctions when it's at normal operating temperature (normal being any temperature in which the Mac is NOT shutting itself down) you have faulty electronics. If your mac IS shutting down when it gets hot , you may have something wrong with the fan.