Yeah, I just discovered when my Mac was built. I already knew where it was built (Tiawaan, I believe), but I've found that it was built during week 24 of this year, by looking at the serial number:
From System Profiler:
Hardware Overview:
Machine Name: MacBook
Machine Model: MacBook1,1
CPU Type: Intel Core Duo
Number Of Cores: 2
CPU Speed: 2 GHz
L2 Cache (shared): 2 MB
Memory: 768 MB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MB11.005F.B00
Serial Number: 4H6246WFU9E
SMC Version: 1.4f10
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State: Enabled
See the Serial Number? The 4th and 5th numbers determine the build week.
Now, I have to track down any issues that all week 24 systems have had in recent months, but maybe I shouldn't be opening up Pandora's Box, eh?
Friday, August 25, 2006
More RAM please!!
I just added RAM maybe 1/2 hour ago. It was easy, IMO. It certainly wasn't as easy as adding RAM to my Toshiba or Dell, but after doing it (and considering the fact that its all over forums everywhere that this is a difficult task), it wasn't as hard as people tend to make out.
I didn't have to push as hard as others, I believe, but I didn't swap out both chips, just one. Since I left one in, I could judge how far I had to push it in by observing the one that was already installed. I pushed once, let go, then looked over and compared the two and saw that I hadn't pushed it in far enough, so I pushed one more time and kept pushing until it moved. I let go and compared them again, then put the L-bracket back in.
I spent more time putting the L-bracket back in than anything else. I started at the screw closest to the bend. I had a jewel flat-tip screwdriver, so I used it to push the cushioning material in while I was pushing the bracket. It helps to screw the two screws closest to the bend about halfway before messing with the cushioning material and dealing with the last screw. The last screw was the kicker...I kept screwing and having to back off because the screw was attempting to bind. I found that if I pushed the bracket upward a bit, it would align the bracket's hole with the case's hole and help keep the screw aligned when screwing it in.
I added 512MB from New Egg. Talk about pissed. I ordered 1GB...I actually clicked on a link for 1GB, saw that 1GB was added to my cart, made the purchase and the next day, I checked my e-mail and found that there was 512MB that was being shipped to me. I contacted a sales rep but they wouldn't halt the shipment because it was already in progress. I told them that I wasn't going to purchase from them again and I'd been buying from them since '97. 4 days later, I checked and saw that the shipment hadn't shipped yet! So, I sent them a nastygram e-mail and then checked again 8 hours later. I found that they voided the shipment and reprocessed it as a new shipment as express delivery. Since the order was only in 'step one' of their process, I was able to cancel it. I called and spoke to a rep and she was able to verify that it was cancelled. So, guess what showed up via UPS on my doorstep today (not an express shipment)?? The ORIGINAL order that was voided along with the second shipment. I decided to put it in the Mac anyways instead of shipping it back, but those guys have their heads up their butts. Never again will I order from them!
So now, I've the option of purchasing 1GB again, but I think I will do it locally...sure, it'll be more expensive but if you factor in shipping and hassle of online orders, they balance out, plus I'll have instant gratification if I purchase locally AND if the RAM is bad or the wrong size, I can always return locally instead of RMAing something.
I'll give NeoOffice a spin to see how it reacts to the RAM.
Also, I've got the recent fan firmware update on my Mac now. To be honest, I don't notice a huge difference, then again, I haven't had it on my lap yet. One thing that does bug me a bit is that I notice the fans being on. Some people complain too much about these laptops, especially the fact that they run hot, but EVERY dual core laptop runs hot. That's the price you pay for power. It's similar to cars and motorcycles. If you've a 300 HP car, you're certainly going to have less gas mileage than a 200HP car, even if you drive with the intention of saving fuel. The laptops are actually only hot because of the case, as there isn't much room for cooling management in these ultra-thin notebooks. A lot of people need to face the fact that they can't have their cake and eat it too...just because its a Mac doesn't mean that it can achieve the impossible.
I'm finished. Ta ta!
I didn't have to push as hard as others, I believe, but I didn't swap out both chips, just one. Since I left one in, I could judge how far I had to push it in by observing the one that was already installed. I pushed once, let go, then looked over and compared the two and saw that I hadn't pushed it in far enough, so I pushed one more time and kept pushing until it moved. I let go and compared them again, then put the L-bracket back in.
I spent more time putting the L-bracket back in than anything else. I started at the screw closest to the bend. I had a jewel flat-tip screwdriver, so I used it to push the cushioning material in while I was pushing the bracket. It helps to screw the two screws closest to the bend about halfway before messing with the cushioning material and dealing with the last screw. The last screw was the kicker...I kept screwing and having to back off because the screw was attempting to bind. I found that if I pushed the bracket upward a bit, it would align the bracket's hole with the case's hole and help keep the screw aligned when screwing it in.
I added 512MB from New Egg. Talk about pissed. I ordered 1GB...I actually clicked on a link for 1GB, saw that 1GB was added to my cart, made the purchase and the next day, I checked my e-mail and found that there was 512MB that was being shipped to me. I contacted a sales rep but they wouldn't halt the shipment because it was already in progress. I told them that I wasn't going to purchase from them again and I'd been buying from them since '97. 4 days later, I checked and saw that the shipment hadn't shipped yet! So, I sent them a nastygram e-mail and then checked again 8 hours later. I found that they voided the shipment and reprocessed it as a new shipment as express delivery. Since the order was only in 'step one' of their process, I was able to cancel it. I called and spoke to a rep and she was able to verify that it was cancelled. So, guess what showed up via UPS on my doorstep today (not an express shipment)?? The ORIGINAL order that was voided along with the second shipment. I decided to put it in the Mac anyways instead of shipping it back, but those guys have their heads up their butts. Never again will I order from them!
So now, I've the option of purchasing 1GB again, but I think I will do it locally...sure, it'll be more expensive but if you factor in shipping and hassle of online orders, they balance out, plus I'll have instant gratification if I purchase locally AND if the RAM is bad or the wrong size, I can always return locally instead of RMAing something.
I'll give NeoOffice a spin to see how it reacts to the RAM.
Also, I've got the recent fan firmware update on my Mac now. To be honest, I don't notice a huge difference, then again, I haven't had it on my lap yet. One thing that does bug me a bit is that I notice the fans being on. Some people complain too much about these laptops, especially the fact that they run hot, but EVERY dual core laptop runs hot. That's the price you pay for power. It's similar to cars and motorcycles. If you've a 300 HP car, you're certainly going to have less gas mileage than a 200HP car, even if you drive with the intention of saving fuel. The laptops are actually only hot because of the case, as there isn't much room for cooling management in these ultra-thin notebooks. A lot of people need to face the fact that they can't have their cake and eat it too...just because its a Mac doesn't mean that it can achieve the impossible.
I'm finished. Ta ta!
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