Remember last weekend? Apple quietly released a firmware update Friday evening that
disabled third-party memory in a lot of newer Macs. By
Saturday morning, the Mac Web was abuzz with warnings and
theories.
At this point, it appears that 3-2-2 RAM upgrades, whether from
Apple or someone else, work just fine once the firmware update is
installed, but some (and definitely not all) 2-2-2 memory fails to
work after the upgrade. There seems to be no way to
downgrade, so if your computer lost its RAM, you're out of luck
until you replace the memory or Apple produces yet another firmware
update.
Our mole at Apple (a.k.a. John Doe 27) tells us this wasn't
an accident. Apple wants your money. They want you to buy
"Apple Certified" memory either with your computer or from The
Apple Store. In the future, if you don't buy Apple Certified
memory, your computer may not recognize any memory you've added due
to changes in the firmware.
Of course, Apple realizes that a lot of us are more than happy
to take our chances with third-party memory. After all, Apple wants
$600 to put a single 256 MB module in a PowerBook G4. By
going to ramseeker, you can
find the same amount of memory for under $90.
- You could buy six different third-party modules, throw out the
ones that don't work, and still save money compared with Apple
Store pricing.
Well, Apple is going to address that two different ways. First,
starting April 1, 2001, you'll be able to order RAM directly
from Apple - even if you're not buying a new computer. This memory
will be about 60% cheaper, dropping that 256 MB module to
$240 (less than some vendors on ramseeker charge!) and making it a
far more attractive option for individual purchase or when
installed in a new build-to-order Mac.
Second, Apple will allow vendors or manufacturers to submit
memory for testing by Apple. If it passes the test, this RAM will
become Apple Certified.
Of course, Apple won't do it for free. There will be a flat fee
of $500 plus $1/MB to certify a specific design. If the
manufacturer makes any change to the design, such as switching chip
suppliers, the new version will also need to be certified. This
allows Apple to make a little money from the manufacturers or
dealers.
But that's not all. Every piece of Apple Certified memory means
money in Apple's pocket. The certification surcharge is currently
set at 10¢/MB, which adds $25.60 to the price of a 256
MB module.
Sure, you can take your chance with uncertified memory, but the
next firmware update might make it unusable.
Or you can buy only Apple Certified memory, which is not only
certified to work with today's firmware, but also guaranteed to
work with any future firmware updates. Not only that, but if you
use Apple Certified memory in your computer, it will automatically
be covered if you buy AppleCare. No more, "Sorry, but
third-party memory isn't covered."
In the end, it looks like a win-win situation for
everyone. Apple makes more, vendors can sell memory they know will
work with future firmware changes, and the buyer has greater peace
of mind.
Sure, it'll cost you more, but high-end Mac users should be used
to that.
Stop settling for memory that may not survive the next firmware
update - buy Apple Certified.
- Anne Onymus
