[comp.sys.mac.hardware] SE/30 maximum memory query.

jk3t+@andrew.cmu.edu (Jonathan King) (12/12/90)

The Apple spec sheet lists the maximum memory possible on an SE/30 as
8 megs, while the IIsi with half as many slots (and using 4 meg SIMMs)
can have up to 17 megs.  

Question:  can the SE/30 use 4 meg SIMMs in some or any configuration?
I know that the current system software can only handle 8 megs, but
will this be possible in the future?  (I'm assuming the spec sheet for
the SE/30 hasn't been changed for awhile, and in the olden days of 18
the idea of needing more might have seemed absurd...)

I'm asking this for a friend who is about to give her daughter one
heck of a Christmas present, but isn't sure whether it will be an
SE/30 or a IIsi.  Respond by email or here as you think appropriate.

jking

minich@d.cs.okstate.edu (Robert Minich) (12/12/90)

by jk3t+@andrew.cmu.edu (Jonathan King):
| The Apple spec sheet lists the maximum memory possible on an SE/30 as
| 8 megs, while the IIsi with half as many slots (and using 4 meg SIMMs)
| can have up to 17 megs.  

  The SE/30 hardware can handle 4MB SIMMs just fine, for a maximum
capability of 32MB. It's Apple software (MacOS) that causes the limit. I
assume A/UX takes advantage of the RAM. If you've been reading the c.s.m
groups much lately, you're sure to have seen discussions (?) on wether
Apple should/will/will-be-sued-if-they-don't provide a ROM upgrade. The
RAM game is the reason.
 
| I'm asking this for a friend who is about to give her daughter one
| heck of a Christmas present, but isn't sure whether it will be an
| SE/30 or a IIsi.  Respond by email or here as you think appropriate.

  Personally, I think the IIsi would be the better choice in the long
because it is bound to be much much more popular than the SE/30. This
implies more options for that slot and other goodies. Plus, you can just
wire it up a greyscale or color monitor whereas the SE/30 requires a
card. The SE/30's slot is apparently not that popular so your choices
there would be more limited.

Disclaimer: I have an SE/30 and I'm a very happy person. (A very broke
            one, too.)
-- 
|_    /| | Robert Minich            |
|\'o.O'  | Oklahoma State University| "I'm a newcomer here, but does the
|=(___)= | minich@d.cs.okstate.edu  |  net every lay any argument to rest?"
|   U    | - Ackphtth               |                    -- dan herrick

johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu (12/12/90)

In article <8bNNCve00WB38DpXYp@andrew.cmu.edu>, jk3t+@andrew.cmu.edu (Jonathan King) writes...
>The Apple spec sheet lists the maximum memory possible on an SE/30 as
>8 megs, while the IIsi with half as many slots (and using 4 meg SIMMs)
>can have up to 17 megs.  
> 
>Question:  can the SE/30 use 4 meg SIMMs in some or any configuration?
>I know that the current system software can only handle 8 megs, but

My SE/30 manual says that it can be expanded to 128 meg with "appropriate
SIMMs", when available.  It certainly WILL use the 4 meg SIMMS ...
but you must put in four of course which is rather a waste with current
system software and/or hacks like Virtual.

I don't know whether 17 is a real limitation with the rest of the IIsi
hardware, or merely a limitation with currently available SIMMs.

>I'm asking this for a friend who is about to give her daughter one
>heck of a Christmas present, but isn't sure whether it will be an
>SE/30 or IIsi 

Is this really a consideration for a new user?  I find that it takes
work to use up the 5 megs in my SE/30 on a consistent basis!

Bill Johnston (johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu)
Bill Johnston; 38 Chambers St.; Newark, DE 19711; (302)368-1949