So, I just purchased a Macbook and a RAM upgrade from Newegg. First...I am not a Mac user so I know little about them and second, this is a gift for someone that I will give in May, so I cannot open it and try the RAM until then.

I was informed by the Apple store dude that these Macbooks are quite particular in the RAM that they accept and not all RAM modules will work. I was like...yeah whatever, you want to sell me the $800 upgrade but turns out this is true.

Sorry if this has been posted before but I want to catch this before Newegg ships my order if I purchased the incorrect RAM.

On the Macbook specs page, it will accept 2x2GB (4GB total) of 667 MHz of DDR2 SDRAM. I ordered the G. Skill 2x2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit from Newegg found here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231135

I just saw that Newegg has a specific Mac laptop memory section and the G. Skill is not listed, however the exact same version is available by Patriot (same specs just "for the mac" ) listed below:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220258

Reviews on the G.Skill are saying that it works in Macbook Pro...will this work in the normal Macbook then? If not...why? What makes one version "mac RAM" where an identical version is not? Basically...WTF is going on here!!??

Can anyone direct me to where this is explained within the next day? I am scurrying the apple forums but haven't found anything yet. THANKS!!!!

It's all about specification that RAM must run within. "Mac" memory is just SODIMM that are within spec.

Whether you Macbook will support the whole 4gb or not depend on the exact model.

A good place for infos, and to buy RAM among other things is here...

www.macsales.com

Sorry you had this experience. Your right Apple charges WAY TOO MUCH for their memory upgrades.

The whole memory thing involves timings and cas latencies, very boring to talk about. basically the Macs are very sensitive to these things. I recomend that you cancel your oder from newegg, and go here:

http://crucial.com/

Guaranteed they have memory that will work for that machine just use the memory adviser and chose your model. It may be a little bit more expensive, like 10+ more, but it's well worth not having to go through a return process.

I use that exact ram in my macbook, works with no issues. Don't cancel the order. No need for more expensive Crucial ram or even more expensive crApple ram.

Corsair test it too, which is why I go there, plus the support forums are GREAT, any problems just ask. Dont work ramguy is right there offering a rma. Great co.

Cool. I emailed G.Skill today and they said it will work too. I have to say I am impressed with them getting back that quick. Also, I am impressed at Newegg's speed. I ordered it today and went to cancel it but it had shipped already!

Thanks bros!

crApple indeed. What a rip...WTF. Hey trev, is your Macbook a dual core? I am wondering if maybe the older single cores had this issue and the new chipset switch allows it?

well..... why mac memory??? well cuz they just simply stick their prices up your read end

Dude...I won't sleep until I figure out WTF the difference is...or is not...

Man, this isn't even my computer and I hate Mac already. Sorry Mac lovers. What a sad scenario when Newegg has more system information than the manufacturer's web site. Macs have a user friendly / lock you out of everything because they think you are an idiot feature don't they?

Yeah it has taken me a long long time to figure out that this falls under the Santa Rosa models yet I am not quite sure because Apple reveals as little info as possible....grrr...

Thanks AMDfangirl...I am getting more and more relief each time someone says it works.

the thing is that the average labtop memory is cas 5 latency, and mac ram is cas 2.5 they do this basically to punch u in the face, however there is a way around buying from them and haveing the correct cas, ill give you a link to a good reference site, and they happen to sell "mac" ram at a good price

http://www.kingston.com/

you have to put in what kind of computer and it specifies to macs and every type of mac, and then will give you a link to purchase it from either kingston, or sometimes newegg to, i recommend picking the ram on their list because it has been tested and its usually not a bad price, good luck

Bull Crap it is.

First of all, there are no companies that make performance DDRII ram rated at CAS 2.5.. maybe DDR, but certainly not DDRII SODIMMS. Second, most off the shelf SODIMMS should work with the OPs macbook. Newegg has a section for mac compatible RAM.

Go to Kingston, search by mfg. Looks like 65.00 per dimm to me, but they also link to Newegg for 50.00 per dimm.

I believe that Kingston will guarantee it to work.

Yeah the Patriot "Mac RAM" has a CAS of 5...so I don't think that is the case. Maybe that was with older models? It seems like the core 2 switchover opened them up to a lot more versions of RAM.

If I have issues with the G.SKill I will look into Kingston most likely. I do have a reply from G.Skill in writing though saying that specific model will work...so if it doesn't...they can have them back