upgrading clamshell iBook RAM

funkycfunkydo · 05-26-2005, 11:56 PM

I have a blueberry G3 iBook clamshell from about 1999. it has 128 megabytes of RAM and I want to upgrade it to 256 to upgrade to Panther or even maybe Tiger. I realize it will run slow but it will make networking and internet sharing with my eMac considerably easier. Anyone done this or know if it's easy/can be done at home? Price ranges or source rocomendations would be appreciated

Thanks

aixccapt99 · 05-27-2005, 01:14 AM

I did this with my old blueberry iBook. It is not hard to do yourself. You unlatch and lift out the keyboard, unplug and slip out the wireless card (if any), and replace the RAM. It is a little bit tight in there -- smaller hands would be an advantage -- but really pretty straightforward. You could easily spend more time reading the directions than actually moving the parts around.

I think once you get under the keyboard there is a diagram. If not you should be able to find one in the Apple knowledgebase online. That site can also give you the exact spec for the RAM, so you buy compatible memory.

As for sources, you can try eBay, which is good for older secondhand parts, or www.crucial.com is usually recommended (by others; I don't think I have ever bought there).

mclbruce · 05-27-2005, 01:54 AM

It can be done at home if you are careful and take your time. I've done it a couple of times. I was going to recommend buying 512MB of RAM. Apple says 256 is the limit but that's not true. However 512MB is expensive these days! Here's where I usually order RAM:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other...g/100SO256328/

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other.../100SO512328L/

Here's Apple's instructions.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=26244

Reacher · 05-27-2005, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclbruce


	I was going to recommend buying 512MB of RAM. Apple says 256 is the limit but that's not true.

512MB is worth the extra money. I upgraded my wife's clamshell (Firewire SE) to 576MB (64MB on-board) and it was like a whole new machine after that.

voldenuit · 05-27-2005, 12:50 PM

I think this iBook still uses the Grackle memory controller and will need a now unusual distribution of chips on the module, when buying RAM make sure it is supposed to work with the iBook.

You can find the exaxt specs here:

http://developer.apple.com/documenta...hardware2.html

funkycfunkydo · 06-03-2005, 09:00 PM

thanks for the advise

miklb · 06-03-2005, 09:36 PM

I had no idea my 366mhz ibook could go to 576. I definitely will invest in that. Even when i upgrade to a powerbook, the resale value should cover most of the investment.
Thanks for asking the question.

05-26-2005, 11:56 PM	#1
funkycfunkydo Triple-A Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 225	upgrading clamshell iBook RAM I have a blueberry G3 iBook clamshell from about 1999. it has 128 megabytes of RAM and I want to upgrade it to 256 to upgrade to Panther or even maybe Tiger. I realize it will run slow but it will make networking and internet sharing with my eMac considerably easier. Anyone done this or know if it's easy/can be done at home? Price ranges or source rocomendations would be appreciated Thanks

06-03-2005, 09:36 PM	#7
miklb Triple-A Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 237	I had no idea my 366mhz ibook could go to 576. I definitely will invest in that. Even when i upgrade to a powerbook, the resale value should cover most of the investment. Thanks for asking the question. __________________ cruisin' along in my "vintage" lime green imac and ibook... , and a sporty new mac mini

05-27-2005, 01:14 AM	#2
aixccapt99 Major Leaguer Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 263	I did this with my old blueberry iBook. It is not hard to do yourself. You unlatch and lift out the keyboard, unplug and slip out the wireless card (if any), and replace the RAM. It is a little bit tight in there -- smaller hands would be an advantage -- but really pretty straightforward. You could easily spend more time reading the directions than actually moving the parts around. I think once you get under the keyboard there is a diagram. If not you should be able to find one in the Apple knowledgebase online. That site can also give you the exact spec for the RAM, so you buy compatible memory. As for sources, you can try eBay, which is good for older secondhand parts, or www.crucial.com is usually recommended (by others; I don't think I have ever bought there).

05-27-2005, 01:54 AM	#3
mclbruce Hall of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,878	It can be done at home if you are careful and take your time. I've done it a couple of times. I was going to recommend buying 512MB of RAM. Apple says 256 is the limit but that's not true. However 512MB is expensive these days! Here's where I usually order RAM: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other...g/100SO256328/ http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other.../100SO512328L/ Here's Apple's instructions. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=26244

05-27-2005, 12:50 PM	#5
voldenuit League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Old Europe Posts: 5,146	I think this iBook still uses the Grackle memory controller and will need a now unusual distribution of chips on the module, when buying RAM make sure it is supposed to work with the iBook. You can find the exaxt specs here: http://developer.apple.com/documenta...hardware2.html

06-03-2005, 09:00 PM	#6
funkycfunkydo Triple-A Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 225	thanks for the advise