RAM Compatibility for Laptops

[Big Daddy Cool]

I know we all recommend OWC and DMS, but I am wondering…

I talked with a tech at Kingston regarding KTM-TP133/512, a 512 chip that I was considering putting in an old G3 iBook. He told me that if it wasn't made specifically for Apple, that it would not function properly. That the chips they build for Apple have special 'codes' built in to them that the machine recognizes and that chips w/o this information won't work/ work properly).

Additionally, A lot of stores (staples, WorstBuy, CC, etc.) have blowout prices on RAM on occasion. If the specs match, and assuming it is a name brand (Kingston, Viking, etc.), do we really need to use RAM purpose-built for Apple?

[anonymouse1]

Tech is wrong.

There are more specs than those you mentioned, and the specs for Apple often have been tighter than those for PCs.

I researched this a while ago, but don't remember the details. It's things like the 3-2-3 timming on RAM that make this kind of difference.

[Big Daddy Cool]

I'm saying, if the ECC/Non-ECC, pins, CL, etc. all match up, is there any reason it wouldn't work?

[chas_m]

Kingston tech = full of it.

Apple demands high quality, but does NOT require "special codes." What BS.

[Big Daddy Cool]

That's what I thought. I could swear I had one of those chips in an older ibook– so that's why I was looking at that particular model.