iBook G3 500Mhz dual-usb memory upgrade

[B00bonic]

Greets all! I am new to the forum and have a couple of questions I was hoping to get answered!

1. I am trying to upgrade the memory on my iBook G3 500MHZ legacy laptop. It is running OSX 10.4 (Tiger?) and it only has 294 Mb of RAM! It takes about 10 sec. for Safari to actually open up on the screen and other programs are sluggish as well. It only has one bank and has a 64 MB stick in it right now (128 MB soldered). I want to purchase a 512 MB stick that will work with it but am finding it hard to find one that is compatible. Most were around $78 !!!!! Way too much for that amount of memory! Geez. I did find some around $35 but I think it was not compatible. Here is the Apple part number I am searching for: M8631LL/A
Can anyone tell me if this is the CORRECT 512mb part number that is compatible with this laptop? I am pretty sure I need 512 Mb PC100 3.3V Non-ECC 144 pin. But I read that you cannot buy just any stick of Ram with those attributes -- it needs a special chip configuration on the stick?? That doesn't make sense to me so anyone please clarify -- much appreciated!

B00bonic

[freakitchen]

Crucial.com is a great source for information on memory upgrades. Its upgrade checker returns this information for your iBook

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...G3%20500MHz%29

Essentially, it shows that the single slot will accept a 512MB stick, maximum, and it's $75. Don't make the mistake of comparing this price to the price of current memory. SD RAM is VERY much a legacy product now. It's four 'generations' old now, (DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 having replaced it) and as such commands a significantly higher price. Up to you whether you think that's worth it.