10-07-2004, 09:56 AM

I don't know where to post these we have old Imacs, that have 64 mb and a G3 processor and 350MHz is it possible to upgrade the memory chip and still have the computer run rather quickly?

We don't want to have to buy all new conputers if we can just upgrade the memory

also looking for cool stuff to change my desktop. like icons and such. i went to iconfacotry.com and the icondropper isn't working don't know why.

any way any help will do

thanks

10-07-2004, 10:27 AM

PLEASE! It's iMacs, not Imacs! Thanks

Anyways, RAM will dramatically speed up your computer. Your iMac model holds up to 512MB, I'd say up it to that level. It'll really improve the performance of your computer. Even going from 256MB to 512MB in my PowerBook made a HUGE difference in web page load times, application openings, start times, etc.

Buy your RAM from Kingston or from Apple, those are the two best RAM companies. Don't go for a cheap company, because their RAM isn't as good as Apple's/Kingston's.


About the icons: Just go to the Apple download site, in the icons section (http://www.apple.com/downloads/macos..._screensavers/). It has some really good stuff, and it'll probably work better than iconfactory or whatever you were using before.

Good luck!

10-07-2004, 02:14 PM

ok good news about memory but will my processor handle it well? it's either upgrade or buy all new computers and at this stage in our game we don't want to do that

thanks

10-07-2004, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by m1k

Buy your RAM from Kingston or from Apple, those are the two best RAM companies. Don't go for a cheap company, because their RAM isn't as good as Apple's/Kingston's.

I don't necessarily agree with this, and I'd never buy my RAM from Apple (even though their prices have come down a bit). Also, Apple isn't a RAM manufacturer, so there really isn't any "Apple RAM". All the RAM I've purchased for my Macs has been inexpensive, but I've ordered it from stores that are Mac specialists who include a liftime warranty and a 100% compatibility guarantee. It has worked flawlessly, and I've saved quite a lot of money compared to what I would have paid from Apple or an expensive retailer.

officehelper - To answer the question about the added RAM working well with the machines, it certainly will. My 300 Mhz G3 with 768 MB of RAM runs Panther and all of the tasks I use it for extremely well. However, if you have high-demand applications, there is a limit to how much the a 350 G3 with stock iMac graphics can handle. What are the machines being used for?

10-07-2004, 04:51 PM

the majority of the macs in the office are not used for anything but internet and connecting to our network to search our database. Mine however will be used for graphic programs, databse programs, (for developing) and internet, ect... I will be handling receivables, Filemaker, marketing, and presentation designs, as well as office stuff

so basically we can just upgrade the memory in our existing comps, and they will all work better?

10-07-2004, 05:15 PM

Yes, your processor will still handle it quite well. RAM is more important than your processor for pretty much everything your comp does. If you open a program, it isn't the processor that handles it, it's the RAM. Sure, you might notice a small speed difference if you upgraded the processors, but it wouldn't be that big. It's much cheaper to upgrade the RAM in your comp.

I don't necessarily agree with this, and I'd never buy my RAM from Apple (even though their prices have come down a bit). Also, Apple isn't a RAM manufacturer, so there really isn't any "Apple RAM". All the RAM I've purchased for my Macs has been inexpensive, but I've ordered it from stores that are Mac specialists who include a liftime warranty and a 100% compatibility guarantee. It has worked flawlessly, and I've saved quite a lot of money compared to what I would have paid from Apple or an expensive retailer.

officehelper - To answer the question about the added RAM working well with the machines, it certainly will. My 300 Mhz G3 with 768 MB of RAM runs Panther and all of the tasks I use it for extremely well. However, if you have high-demand applications, there is a limit to how much the a 350 G3 with stock iMac graphics can handle. What are the machines being used for?

Yeah, I guess you're right. I got a 256MB stick from Apple for my 12" PB and it works perfectly, but I guess if you get RAM from different companies it works just as well. I just didn't know at the time what some other good RAM companies were.

So when I upgrade from 512MB to 1.256GB of RAM, should I go with Crucial or Kingston or what?

Sorry for the question-inside-a-thread...

10-07-2004, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by m1k

Yes, your processor will still handle it quite well. RAM is more important than your processor for pretty much everything your comp does. If you open a program, it isn't the processor that handles it, it's the RAM. Sure, you might notice a small speed difference if you upgraded the processors, but it wouldn't be that big. It's much cheaper to upgrade the RAM in your comp.

Depending upon the processor, there can actually be an extremely noticeable increase in performance (which is one reason why my iBook G3 900 w/ 640 MB of RAM is substantially faster than my Beige G3 300 w/ 768 MB of RAM). Still though, RAM is a good upgrade, especially when the current systems only have 64 MB. officehelper, for the tasks you mentioned you'll be using your personal machine for, you might want to consider upgrading to a more powerful machine, but the other ones should handle the internet and database searching just fine.

Originally Posted by m1k

So when I upgrade from 512MB to 1.256GB of RAM, should I go with Crucial or Kingston or what?

I'd shop around at various online stores that specialize in Macs (I have a couple of favorites that I usually stick with) to see who has the best prices. Sometimes it's Crucial, but often it's not. Just make sure that it has a lifetime warranty and a compatibility guarantee.

10-07-2004, 05:57 PM

OK, thanks. In 2-3 years I'm planning on maxing out my PowerBook's RAM to 1.256GB, when the price on 1GB sticks goes down a bit.

Thanks I'll remember that!