Has Memory Got To Be Installed In Equal Sized Modules?

Question

That's what it says in the Core Duo iMac manual - 2 x 512MB or 2 x 1GB.
I had hoped to supplement the basic 512MB with a 1GB module to give 1.5GB, but the manual seems to suggest I can't (or shouldn't).
I have had unequal modules (256MB + 512MB) in my eMac for nearly two years with no problems.
Is there something intrinsically different between the G4 eMac and the Core Duo iMac?
Can anyone shed any light on this situation?
Ian.

Answer 1

FWIW, if you must buy new, for a small additional charge, Apple's online ordering allows for a 1GB RAM module instead of the 512MB. The accepted wisdom, and to the best of my knowledge, the fact, has always been that Apple charged "too much" for RAM since they are not in the RAM sales or computer parts sales business.
However, when the iMac Intel model debuted I noted that the build-to-order RAM option for maxed out RAM was uncharacteristically low for Apple, and this seemed to be confirmed by the Apple Store's retail price for the same 2GB of RAM at twice that price. Further checking revealed that Apple's price was within shouting distance of the price for OEM Samsung and Micron (Crucial) RAM for sale from other outlets. [the two largest OEM RAM suppliers for Apple]
While it's still possible to purchase absolute bargain priced RAM elsewhere, if one charts the difference between Apple's RAM options now and in the past vs. the retail availability of the very same RAM elsewhere, Apple's build-to-order pricing seems to indicate an interesting shift towards Apple trying to prompt buyers to better prepare themselves for more intense usage of their computers than they might previously have expected. Even more cool apps on the way:-))