# Spare iMac memory - can I install it in a PC laptop?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spare-imac-memory-can-i-install-it-in-a-pc-laptop/427640
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 24, 2007, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spare-imac-memory-can-i-install-it-in-a-pc-laptop/427640 "2007-11-24T21:31:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2007, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spare-imac-memory-can-i-install-it-in-a-pc-laptop/427640/1 "2007-11-24T21:31:41Z")
I replaced the memory in my iMac with 2 1GB sticks and now I have 2 512 MB sticks that I’m not using. They are pretty worthless (after a quick look on eBay to see if they’d be worth selling) so I was wondering if I could put them in a circa 2002/3 Windows laptop I own. I heard something somewhere that the iMacs use notebook memory and that is what gave me th idea. I went to the Crucial site because I know nothing about memory (other than how to order it and put it in) and came up with these specs:
Apple iMac 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo (20-inch)
# Module Size: 512MB
# Package: 200-pin SODIMM
# Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300
# Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 64Meg x 64
Sony VAIO PCG-FR130
# Module Size: 512MB
# Package: 200-pin SODIMM
# Feature: DDR PC2700
# Specs: DDR PC2700 • CL=2.5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR333 • 2.5V • 64Meg x 64
So can I put the iMac memory in my laptop?
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### Author:  [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spare-imac-memory-can-i-install-it-in-a-pc-laptop/427640/2 "2007-11-25T01:41:44Z")
Sorry, **Boscibo** , it’s not going to work. Although _some_ motherboards support both types, DDR (used by the VAIO) and DDR2 (used by the iMac) are not compatible with each other.
If you look carefully at the SO-DIMM modules, you should see that the connector cutout notch is in slightly different places for the DDR and DDR2 types, to prevent people from trying exactly what you would like to do. Quite apart from the different timing requirements, the DDR2 runs at a 1.8V compared to 2.5V for the DDR, which means that if even if you could force it you’d most likely damage the modules and/or motherboard.
The [Wikipedia page](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SO-DIMM) on SO-DIMMs goes into more detail and has photos of the two types of module showing the different notch locations.
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### Author:  [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spare-imac-memory-can-i-install-it-in-a-pc-laptop/427640/3 "2007-11-25T02:03:09Z")
Aww, darn. Thanks!