Getting the Right Amount of RAM and Future Upgradeability
Certainly the more memory in a laptop system the better just like desktops, but
there are other concerns regarding memory in laptops. Laptops are generally more
restricted in the amount of memory that can be installed into a system. Sometimes
access to that memory can also be a problem if you plan a future upgrade.
How
much memory is enough?
The
rule of thumb that is used for all computer systems for determining if it has
enough memory is to look at the requirements of the software you intend to run.
Pick up the boxes for each of the applications and the OS that you intend to run
and look at both the "minimum" and "recommended" requirements.
Typically you want to have more RAM than the highest minimum and ideally at least
as much as the highest listed recommended requirement. The following chart provides
a better breakdown of what is acceptable for different computer tasks:
Tasks
Functionality
Amount
of RAM
Enough
to Boot
Absolute
Minimum
128
MB
Word
Processing
Barely
Functional
128
MB - 256 MB
General
Computing/Web Surfing
Functional
256
MB - 384 MB
Gaming/Music
Optimal
384
MB - 512 MB
Heavy
Graphics/Gaming
Smooth
Sailing
512
MB and up
The
ranges provided are a generalization based upon most general computing tasks.
It is best to check the requirements of the intended software to make the final
decisions. The lower part of the scale is the minimum while the higher number
is better. This is not accurate for all computer tasks because some operating
systems use more memory than others.
Memory
Restrictions
Laptop
computers generally have two slots available for memory modules compared to three
or four in desktop systems. This means that they are more limited in the amount
of memory that have available. With current memory module technologies, this restriction
generally comes to either 512 MB of 1 GB of RAM in a laptop system based on either
256 MB or 512 MB modules. Some ultra portable systems are even fixed with one
size of memory that cannot be changed at all. So what is important to know when
you look at a laptop?
First,
find out what the maximum amount of memory is. This is generally listed by most
of the manufacturers. This will let you know what upgrade potential the system
has. Second, determine how the memory configuration is when you buy the system.
For example, a laptop that has 256 MB of memory can be configured as either a
single 256 MB module or two 128 MB modules. The single memory module allows for
better upgrade potential because by adding another module you are gaining more
memory without sacrificing any current memory. Upgrading the two module situation
with a 256 MB upgrade would result in the loss of one 128 MB module and a resulting
memory total of 384 MB.
Self-Install
Possible?
Most
laptop systems today have a small door on the underside of the system with access
to the memory module slots. If it does, then it is possible to just purchase a
memory upgrade and install it yourself without much trouble. A system without
an external door or panel for memory access will require installation by a service
technician. This generally will add additional expense to the memory upgrade in
the future or possibly even the requirement that the system be sent in to a service
center which means the lack of a computer until the upgrade is completed.
