“By mid-year, Apple is likely to include a minimum of 512MB of RAM in each of the Macs it sells, double the amount of standard memory shipping in most of today’s models,” Kasper Jade reports for AppleInsider. “Sources say Apple intends to complete the move by mid-year, around the same time it begins shipping its next-generation operating system, Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger.'”
Jade reports, “Although Tiger will not require 512MB of RAM, insiders say the boost in memory spec will assure consumers a smoother experience running both Tiger and Apple’s iLife ’05 digital lifestyle software suite. They added that the upgrade is ‘much needed.’ The boost would make Apple the first major PC manufacturer to include half a Gigabyte of memory in all of its CPU-based products.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Good. We’re sick of having to tell people, “buy the extra RAM, you’ll want it” when we recommend Mac mini, iMac G5, iBook, etc.
When you order a Mac online it isn’t such a big deal to spec more RAM but when you expect customers to walk in the door and grab a mini it becomes a major deal. I hated telling friends – buy the mini but not at the store. About time!
First time I think I’ve seen a story first somewhere other than MDN lol, Apple Insider had this up a few minits ago:) Anyways, I think this will help Apple sell to current PC owners looking to add another machine, but are turned off but the low ram. I know quite a few people who would consider the mini if it had more ram.
I demand a $70 rebate on the Mac Mini I just purchased two nights ago!
No kidding. I recently got a 20″ iMac G5 with 256 MB of RAM, and it ran WAAAAAAAAY slower than my 1.5 PB G4 with 1 GB of RAM until I added more. It’s disappointing because the first impression of the computer is “Sheesh, this computer is SLOW!” until you actually get it beefed up a little.
Magic word “such”, as in, This will be “such” an improvement….
It’s about time. All consumer Macs (Mac mini, eMac, iMac, iBook) should come standard with 512MB of RAM, while the pro Macs (Dual Processor Power Macs and 15″ & 17″ PowerBooks) should come standard with 1GB.
My goodness, about time.
I agree, iSteve.
This is very necessary. Now I hope, atleast with the iMac, they’ll have a 512chip and not 2x256s ….
Unfortunately, I think they’ll stick 2 chips inside…
This is a sick joke: Buy a Mac, dump the memory. It should have 1×512 minimum, allowing you an easy add to get 1GB. What are we selling here, KIAs?
I just got my mini yesterday… yeah, it needs more than 256. It’s fair.. but hesitates. 512 should be enough I would think… at least I hope it is because the 1 GB chip is rather high priced.
THE G6 IS HERE!!! THEY RELEASED IT!!! THE G6!!!
http://www.pontiac.com/g6/index.jsp?brand=#trim
finally.
1 chip only – not 2 x 256 please
dude: “It’s disappointing because the first impression of the computer is “Sheesh, this computer is SLOW!”
what do you think all us pc owners have been thinking about apple computers???
what took apple so long to figure it out?
I’d like a Mac Mini G5 with 1G of RAM please!
And now that the cat is finally out of the bag, macfixit can finally say this:
Buy more RAM The primary cause for overall slowness in Mac OS X and unresponsiveness from applications is a lack of adequate memory. For most users, 512 MB is the amount of RAM at which most unresponsiveness and spinning-wheel sessions dissipate. In other words, 384 MB of RAM may leave you in a lurch, while 640 MB of RAM won’t provide a huge speed increase over 512 MB.
My advice is to always stretch yourself and get the most RAM and HD space you can when getting a new comp. Unless you just do Office and email.
Good, now all you whiners shut up about the lack of RAM in Macs.
>:-)
Hey, that was supposed to be an ‘evil’ smiley!
“There is no emoticon to express what I’m feeling.”
—
Magic word: real. “Real can kiss my shiny metal ass!”
Dual sticks of memory will be used on the Power Mac because of the fact that it can utilize Dual Channel memory. The imac G5 could also use two sticks for the same reason.
I suppose this means that a Mac running Tiger will just barely perform properly on 512MB …
these are the kind of rumors that cause people to put off purchases, waiting for the “better” version.
and they have that right, Citizen.
My life is not about making Apple money.
geez…things wern’t all that snappy on my old school’s eMac 1 ghz G4 w/ 512 meg running 10.3.7…can’t imagine how it would run with only 256.
Don’t confuse them macnut.
Atomic Flower,
moof
Actually it is illegal to spread rumors to affect markets. Otherwise I am not sure what “right’ you are alluding to unless it is the “right” to buy or not buy.
Thanks for the popups. MDN is in good company with drudge as the only popups I get.
quit whining and pay attention to my offers!
Ok, good. Now give me a 2-button scroll mouse, a low-cost LCD monitor (for the Mac Mini), a printer that matches the Mac color scheme, a matching ergonomic bluetooth keyboard, and some fries, and I’ll be happy. The additional RAM is one painfully slow step. I hope Apple isn’t this slow in the future.