Charlie Ruggiero
- 2001.02.05
Q: How difficult is it to install more memory in my _____?
A: It's usually very easy. There are a few exceptions, however,
so I will give a brief overview on what is involved. You can decide
for yourself if you want to do the installation.
Keep in mind these are summaries and that some machines are not
listed because I simply have never done a RAM upgrade in them. Some
information may be slightly inaccurate because of the many
different models out there. To save space I have put together Macs
which have the same or similar setups.
If you can't find your computer, look at Macs which have a
similar case design or search this page for it. Keep in mind that
you should use this information at your own risk. This information
may not be completely accurate, and if you do not know what you are
doing you may damage something. I am providing this information to
help you decide if you want to take a crack at installing your own
RAM.
Compact Macs (Mac
Plus, SE, Classic, SE/30, Classic II): Unfortunately, this
installation is fairly hard. You will have to remove the entire
case, which requires a long handled T-15 torx screwdriver (in the
States, Sears Craftsman 47431 for US$4.99). For all b&w compact
Macs except the Classic, you also need to pull out the motherboard
after disconnecting a few wires. (The Classic has memory on a RAM
card.) This is not as easy as it sounds. There is a serious risk of
electrocution, so be sure to take care when working near the
monitor tube. The nice part is that if you ruin something, you can
always buy another one for about $25 or less. Take care not to
touch or break the video tube and related devices inside the Mac. I
would not pay to have someone install RAM in this computer - it
would be cheaper to buy a Mac with the maximum RAM, except in the
case of the SE/30.
Mac II series: These
involve lifting off the top of the case, which is easy because it
is basically clipped on. The II, IIfx, and IIx all need the metal
bracket containing the hard drive and floppy which is on top of the
RAM removed. There are some cables to be disconnected. IIsi, IIcx,
IIci all need only the top of the case lifted off.
Quadra and Centris:
Minitower machines (800, 840av) require complete removal of the
outside case. Sometimes some screws also have to be removed. The
Quadra 605, 610, and 660av, as well as the Centris 610 and 660av,
only need the top of their case to be lifted off. For the Quadra
900 and 950, you need only take off the side. The Centris/Quadra
650 is a pain (see Power Mac 7100). The Quadra
700 has similar setup to the IIci. Several early LC models, and the Performa 400 series also
have a similar setup to the Quadra/Centris 605 and 660.
Performa 500 Series,
Color Classic and CC II, Macintosh TV, Performa and LC
600 series: These all have a similar design. Remove screws holding
back cover, remove the cover, and pull out motherboard. Few or no
cables to disconnect.
Power Mac 6100 and 7100: Adding memory
to the 6100 is a simple operation. Simply lift off the top of the
case, like the Quadra/Centris 610/660av. The 7100 is a pain,
because you will need to completely unscrew the metal bracket
system which holds the CD-ROM, floppy, and hard drive. You will
also need to remove the power supply screw and then the power
supply. There are a few cables to disconnect as well.
Power Mac 8100, 8500,
9500: The Power Mac 8100 needs to have the case removed,
but not much else. In the 8500 and 9500, you must remove the case,
and then the motherboard kind of slides out. There are several
cables that need to be disconnected.
Power Mac 7500, 7600, 7200, 7300,
Beige G3 Desktop: Remove top case (by pressing the two
buttons at the front of the Mac underneath the lip). Pull the
plastic case off. Fold out top portion of the Mac after releasing
latches. The best desktop design until the Blue and White G3 and
Power Mac G4.
Performa 5200, 5300, 5400, 5500,
6200, 6300, 6400, 6500: Remove screws at the back and
either remove back plastic cover and pull out motherboard, or
simply pull out motherboard. No cables to disconnect.
Power Mac 4400: Remove top
case.
Power Mac 8600, 9600: See
PowerMac G3 series below.
Power Mac G3 Series: Desktop
G3: See PowerMac 7500. Tower G3: pull off side of Mac, remove
latches, and fold out. Usually no cables to disconnect in either of
these. Similar procedures with the Power Mac 8600 and 9600.
Blue and White G3, Power Mac G4 (all models): Grasp
latch and pull down. Can't get any easier than this.
Power Mac Cube: Turn upside
down. Push on the latch and remove inner "core" of computer. Be
careful with this. It is fragile and susceptible to static because
it has no grounding out of it's incasement.
iMac: Lots of crazy
steps for drawer-loading model. Turn iMac on face, remove screw on
bottom, pull out a bunch of stuff, disconnect some cables, remove
some covers. It's a pain in the butt. The slot-loading model is
much easier: turn iMac upside-down, open door on bottom, insert
RAM.
PowerBooks
Mac Portable: Remove the
back cover to gain access to RAM expansion. Remember to remove the
battery and all other devices inside any PowerBook before upgrading
RAM.
PowerBook 100-180: In all
cases you must remove the top of the plastic case, and this is not
always easy. You must also always remove the battery. The PowerBook
100 involves even taking off the screen sadly enough.
PowerBook 190, 5300: Unscrew the screws on the bottom
and remove keyboard. As with all PowerBooks, remove the battery and
CDROMs/Floppy Drives before attempting to add RAM.
PowerBook 500 series:
Remove battery, keyboard, and you must remove the metal cover over
the motherboard.
PowerBook Duo Series:
Unscrew the screws at the bottom of the Duo, then remove the
keyboard. Remember to remove the battery and all other devices
inside any PowerBook before upgrading RAM.
PowerBook 2400: You must
remove the entire top case. Then you have to remove the metal cover
over the memory modules. Remember to remove the battery and all
other devices inside any PowerBook before upgrading RAM.
PowerBook 1400: Remove
speaker grill. Remove keyboard. Remove metal cover over ram and
processor. Remember to remove the battery and all other devices
inside any PowerBook before upgrading RAM.
PowerBook 3400, PowerBook G3 (original): Unscrew
screws at the bottom of the PowerBook and remove the keyboard.
Remember to remove the battery and all other devices inside any
PowerBook before upgrading RAM.
PowerBook G3 Series and
G4: Remove keyboard and possibly metal cover. Remember to
remove the battery and all other devices inside any PowerBook
before upgrading RAM.
iBook: Remove keyboard,
remove Airport card, and remove metal cover over RAM. Remember to
remove the battery and all other devices inside any PowerBook
before upgrading RAM.
Macs I don't know about: 20th Anniversary Edition, Lisa,
anything not listed on this page, prototypes.
If you want to upgrade your Mac's memory, Apple gives
instructions (sometimes good, sometimes bad), and it usually goes
step-by-step. Sometimes your manual will have instructions.
If you are a beginning user, be sure to scope out what you need
to do before doing anything. That way you can decide to abort
before something gets changed or damaged.
People who have had Macs for a while should use discretion
before deciding to install RAM. If you have installed RAM in a Mac
before, then you will probably be able to do most desktop machines
excluding the Classics, the drawer-loading iMac, the Cube, and a
few others. If you have never installed RAM, be sure to read up on
the procedures before taking action.
Most people should avoid installing RAM in the PowerBooks before
the 3400 series simply because of the number of parts you usually
have to remove.
Some tips on installing RAM:
- always discharge static before working in your computer.
In most cases (check your Apple manual) Apple recommends you unplug
your Mac; I think this is to avoid electrocution.
- Make sure you have the correct RAM for your computer. Size,
speed, voltage, manufacturer, and number of chips can all play a
part in terms of compatibility with your Macintosh.
- Never try and force a RAM chip in that does not seem to fit. If
in doubt, do not try - you'll save money in the long run.
I hope this article has helped you decide what to do, or even
saved you money by skipping paying the Apple certified technician
to do your RAM installation.
Charlie Ruggiero has used a lot of Macs, from Plus to G4, and
even ran a BBS (remember those?) on a Plus. He works as Macintosh
tech support and technology advisor for the College of Education at
Michigan State University. He does a lot of hardware and software
troubleshooting, as well as a great deal of video editing, capture,
and streaming. Charlie is well versed in HyperCard, fairly
knowledgeable in Future Basic, and has a good background in sound
and video. He even has his own site, Edge of Heaven.
