Before shopping for a laptop you should consider how and where it will be used. If your primary goal is to get some word processing done whilst staying on top of your emails then a small laptop would be for you. One of the most important factors to consider is the CPU which determines how well the laptop performs. Another important factor to consider is memory or RAM, the more memory installed the better it will perform. Upgrading memory on a laptop is trickier than on a desktop so try and find a laptop with plenty of memory pre installed.

The screen size of your small laptop is an important consideration. Laptop screens continue to get bigger and at the same time get smaller. 10″ or 11″ screens are a good size for small laptops and desktop replacement pcs offer displays up to 18 inches. Remember that a laptop’s screen only looks as good where you want to use it. Many small laptops screens look sharp on shop shelves thanks to extra glossy coatings but when you try and use them outdoors or in public places like coffhp-mini-note-2133ee shops the screens can be difficult to see, so keep in mind not only how you want to use your netbook but also where you are planning to use it. It is always recommended to check the internet for reviews on a particular laptop before going ahead to purchase.

When buying a small laptop try also to get a large hard drive. Many small laptops have 120 GB hard drives which allow storage of plenty of files and information. If you plan to work with spreadsheets, databases or digital photos then opt for a larger hard drive. When dealing with any portable laptop battery life is key. You should check the manufacturer’s specifications. It can also be worth investing in a higher capacity battery for users who don’t have access to a power outlet regularly.

Though you can get accustomed to a particular keyboard it is still a good idea to try before you buy, especially when purchasing a small laptop. Also check that the laptop has full wireless capabilities and ethernet access to wired connection sources. You should also check the number and location of USB 2.0 ports. Most laptops have between 2 and 6. If you want to connect an external drive or digital camcorder look for a firewire port.

Many sellers allow you to custom build a machine so use these steps to buy the best small laptop as they will give you control. Its important to remember that only some of the components are upgradeable whilst others are permanent once they have been installed at the factory, so take your time and buy what you need.

The CPU – Central Processing Unit will be connected to the main memory of the computer. The programmes and the data that are used currently or that are run currently in the computer will be stored in this main memory. But, the present era of computers do come with the RAM-Random Access Memory and a solid state memory. These devices are annexed to the CPU with the help of the memory bus. Memory Bus is otherwise called as the address bus.

In some computers, cache memory is available along with the RAM. This cache memory will possess minute chunks that are going to be used by the CPU immediately. This is installed mainly to cut short the time of fetching and in turn increase the working speed of the CPU. Thus the function of the CPU is increased by the working of the cache memory. Commonly, RAM is considered as the very vital part of the computer memory. It is made up of the integrated semi conductor chips.

The RAM can be compared with the other types of memory. The main feature that brings out RAM from the other kinds of memory is that RAM can be located from any location of the computer with the same speed. Some types of RAM chips are very capricious. Thus these RAM chips drop all the data when the power supply is off. Some of the computers are provided with the Shadow RAM which helps in copying the present data and makes the computers work very efficiently.

Earlier, the computer cost was on the very high side and hence the end users of the computer always desired to upgrade it rather then going in for a new one. But now the scenario is completely different due to the decrease in the rate of the hardware and the interest is increased to change the computers than upgrading them with the parts.

Exchange of computers is economical only in the case of home users and not in the case of high end computer users as replacement of servers is still found to be very costly. Hence for these cases, it is better to replace the computer with the desired spare parts to update the computer.

The memory is available in the market in different configurations. For laptops and desktop computers, it ranges from 128 MB to 1 GB. This capacity will be sufficient for the regular usage. More memory is required when the computer is equipped with more programmes. In these cases, it is not advisable to buy new computers and rather the same can be upgraded with the available slots for internal expansion.

The CPU – Central Processing Unit will be connected to the main memory of the computer. The programmes and the data that are used currently or that are run currently in the computer will be stored in this main memory. But, the present era of computers do come with the RAM-Random Access Memory and a solid state memory. These devices are annexed to the CPU with the help of the memory bus. Memory Bus is otherwise called as the address bus.

In some computers, cache memory is available along with the RAM. This cache memory will possess minute chunks that are going to be used by the CPU immediately. This is installed mainly to cut short the time of fetching and in turn increase the working speed of the CPU. Thus the function of the CPU is increased by the working of the cache memory. Commonly, RAM is considered as the very vital part of the computer memory. It is made up of the integrated semi conductor chips.

The RAM can be compared with the other types of memory. The main feature that brings out RAM from the other kinds of memory is that RAM can be located from any location of the computer with the same speed. Some types of RAM chips are very capricious. Thus these RAM chips drop all the data when the power supply is off. Some of the computers are provided with the Shadow RAM which helps in copying the present data and makes the computers work very efficiently.

Earlier, the computer cost was on the very high side and hence the end users of the computer always desired to upgrade it rather then going in for a new one. But now the scenario is completely different due to the decrease in the rate of the hardware and the interest is increased to change the computers than upgrading them with the parts.

Exchange of computers is economical only in the case of home users and not in the case of high end computer users as replacement of servers is still found to be very costly. Hence for these cases, it is better to replace the computer with the desired spare parts to update the computer.

The memory is available in the market in different configurations. For laptops and desktop computers, it ranges from 128 MB to 1 GB. This capacity will be sufficient for the regular usage. More memory is required when the computer is equipped with more programmes. In these cases, it is not advisable to buy new computers and rather the same can be upgraded with the available slots for internal expansion.

As a Network Technician and a Web Designer, I needed a machine that would have enough storage to store all my software, projects for my clients, and still be able to handle an occasional temporary operating system backup from a client’s machine. The qualifying candidate also had to have a decent amount of RAM and a reasonably fast processor to keep up with the demands of multitasking and using Studio MX ‘04 on a daily basis.

At first, I checked the auction sites, the refurbished outlets, and the wholesale warehouses. I found a few good deals for under $500, but nothing that would handle the processing load that Studio MX 2004 would place on it. The average machine had 256MB of PC133 RAM, a 20GB HDD, and a 1.0GHz Pentium processor. Not too shabby for a student machine, but for daily service in the fields I work in, not nearly enough space or power to keep up with my demands.

I quickly realized that a new laptop would be needed in order to meet my needs. Realizing that most decent laptops are priced at over $1,000, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot when I started shopping around. However, to my surprise, a local retail chain had a special running on the Acer Aspire 3004WLCi for $600 after a $150 rebate. This was the top end of my budget, but the specs were far more than what I thought I would find in this price range.

Quick Specs:
AMD Mobile Sempron 3100+ (1.8GHz) w/ 256K L2 cache
512MB DDR333 SODIM RAM (expandable to 2GB)
60GB 4200rpm Hard Disk Drive
15.4 Wide Screen WXGA Monitor
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
3 USB 2.0 Ports (1 front / 2 side)
Front Audio / Microphone jacks
Integrated Microphone / Speakers
Integrated Audio Controller
Integrated Video Controller (up to 128MB shared)
Integrated 56Kbps Data/Fax Modem
Integrated 802.3 10/100 Ethernet NIC
Integrated 802.11b/g WiFi
Maximum screen resolution: 1280 x 800
External monitor maximum resolution: 2048 x 1536
One type II PCMCIA Slot
AC Power Adapter / 4-cell lithium-ion battery
1.5″Hx14.3″Wx11″D / 6.2lb. w/ Battery
Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2

OK, before I go into the Pros and Cons of this system, let me first say this… As a Network technician, I’m a bit of a stranger to Acer products. I’ve seen them before, but I’ve never used them. In an industry dominated by Dells and HPs, Acer seemed more of an “off-brand” to me. With that in mind, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot for my money. Fortunately, I was not disappointed, but neither was I entirely wrong.

Also, it is worthy to note that before I used this machine, XP Home was trashed in favor of XP Professional SP2 and I went through the system and performed several minor software performance tweaks on the operating system; all of which can be performed using the native Windows XP Pro utilities.

Pros:
The Acer Aspire 3004 WLCi is a reasonably powerful system for $600. Even at the original $750, this system is hard to beat in the performance department. The Sempron 3100+ processor is surprisingly fast and capable. It handled running Dreamweaver MX 2004, Fireworks MX 2004, Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft OneNote 2003, Firefox 1.5, Internet Explorer 6.0, Opera 8.5, Resize Browser, CPick, Java JRE, NOD32 Anti-Virus, Hotmail Popper, and several system services and minor utilities running in the background simultaneously and didn’t complain or produce any unacceptable sustained CPU usage spikes. This is partly due to the generous and fast 512MB of DDR333 RAM, but even so, the processor surprised this long-time AMD user.

The 60GB hard drive provides an ample amount of storage for average users. It is on the lower end of my requirements, but sufficiently large enough to handle all my installed software, over 12GB of service software needed for service calls, all my client projects, and it still has enough space left over to easily accommodate a 20GB client system backup.

In addition, this system has a very good Broadcom WiFi controller. In my 3 story townhouse, which has excellent insulation, this system can be used anywhere in my home with a signal strength of “Very Good” to “Excellent”.

The system is ergonomically laid out. I have rather large hands, and most modern laptops are entirely too small for me to realistically use for any extended period of time. Usually, within 20 or 30 minutes, my wrists and hands begin to ache from trying to maintain a very unnatural position in order to type the documents I’m working on. Not so with the Aspire 3000 series. These laptops have a relatively large chassis with a keypad that is almost perfect for someone with large hands. I’ve actually found that I can type nearly as fast (roughly 35wpm) on this laptop as I can on my desktop system that has an ergonomic split keyboard (40wpm).

Cons:
If you’re looking for a Multimedia system, or if you plan to do any graphics intensive gaming, keep on looking; this system is not for you. Even with the widescreen WXGA display, this machine is not well suited for watching DVDs. The integrated video controller is only acceptable and the monitor requires a lot of “fiddling” with in order to find the “just right” position for viewing. Furthermore, the glare on the screen of this unit is terrible. I’ve found that in most brightly lit rooms I’m spending more time straining my eyes to see past my own reflection. Also, the viewing angle is unimpressive. If you try to view the screen from anything greater than 15 degrees in any direction, you’re either looking at a washed out or negative variation of the original. I’ve never been a big fan of LCD. I’ve always felt that a high quality CRT always looks better, but this screen is more reminiscent of a LCD of three years ago than a brand new product.

The integrated audio and video controllers are a definite sore spot as well. I’ve always preferred expansion controllers over integrated controllers, but in this price range, I knew I would be stuck with the so-so quality of an integrated controller. No surprise here. As usual, the quality and performance is sub-par with these controllers, but for my needs, they do the job. However, if you plan on listening to any audio playback on this machine, you had better pack a quality set of headphones. The tiny speakers on this machine are terrible sounding. Again, no big surprise.

Now, about battery life. I don’t know who was in charge of defining this aspect of this machine, but they need a checkup from the neck up. Battery performance on this machine is absolutely unacceptable. Unless you tune the system down significantly, it is very difficult to squeeze more than an hour of real usable time out of this system’s battery life. The manufacturer states that it will run for 1.5 hours on the battery. I’ve never been able to get more than an hour out of the unit. In this day and age, this is not acceptable. Fortunately, there are very few occasions when I need to use this system where I’m not close to a power outlet.

My only other major complaint is the lack of expandability of this system. You get two SODIM memory card slots (filled with 256MBx2 sticks from the factory), three USB 2.0 ports and a Type II PCMCIA slot on this machine, and that’s it. No internal expansion capabilities, no firewire, no serial or parallel connections, and you cannot swap out the combo drive easily. Given the price range of this system, I’m really not surprised, but I am a bit disappointed. Fortunately, there are an abundance of USB adapters available that allow me to do whatever is needed.

Like a lot of things in life, a computer memory upgrade seems more complicated than it actually is. Most of the apprehension comes from a lack of knowledge. Let’s face it, the average computer user may only have a vague idea about RAM, Motherboards, Graphics Cards and the like.

They know their computer works when they turn it on and that’s all that really matters to them. However, what most people don’t realize is that with a little investment of time and a few dollars, they can make their computer work better and faster. It’s an investment that will quickly pay for itself; not only will you save time when doing your daily computer chores, but the overall enjoyment of your computer or laptop will greatly increase.

It’s best to tackle this problem or task with some good information concerning all the factors involved in the upgrading of your computer’s memory. Let’s start with the basics and work from there.

Get Out Of Jail Free Card!

(*Shortcut! Don’t have the time or desire to read all the ‘ins and outs’ of a RAM or memory upgrade but still want to upgrade your system. Go to the author’s resource box below and click the link. It will take you to a page where you can find a Memory Advisor tool which can scan your system and tell you which memory upgrades are possible with your particular computer or laptop.)

First Step - Know Your RAM

RAM or random access memory. This is what the computer uses to run applications and data on your computer. You need it to run your computer’s OS operating system, your need it for handling graphics, files, web-browsing, e-mail and multi-tasking. RAM is vital to the operation of your computer. As a general rule, the higher the amount of RAM you have - the faster your computer will work or run.

To complicate things somewhat, there are many types of RAM. The type of RAM in your computer or laptop may depend on the year it was made.

From mid-2004 a lot of the computers have DDR2 (double data rate, second generation) SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM). Before that time many computers had DDR (double data rate, first generation) SDRAM. Most older systems use SDR (single data rate) SDRAM, fast page mode (FPM), or extended data out (EDO).

To complicate things even further, most of the types of RAM comes in different speeds!

DDR2 SDRAM - is a new standard that can boost conventional SDRAM memory up to speeds well over 200MHz and beyond. For example, the new IBM ThinkPad T43, thanks to the Sonoma Chipset or platform has 533MHz DDR 2 SDRAM.

This is much better than standard SDRAM which tops out around 150-166MHz and DDR SDRAM which starts at 200MHz and goes up to around 400MHz.

Keep in mind, DRAM means Dynamic Random Access Memory and SDRAM means Synchronous Dynamic RAM.

And to really confuse you, having a faster RAM speed does not (by itself) make your computer go faster, you must upgrade or increase the AMOUNT of RAM in your computer system to increase performance. Also keep in mind your computer was made to accept a specific memory speed and there’s no benefit from going beyond that limit.

It’s usually recommended that you get the fastest speeds for your system, this will permit for better compatibility and make it easier for future upgrades.

Second Step - Know Your Machine

Without a doubt, compatibility is the most important factor in buying a memory upgrade for your laptop or computer. It’s essential that any upgrade be compatible with your computer or machine, i.e. Otherwise it just won’t work.

Therefore, you have to know the amount and kind of RAM you have in your computer or laptop. The best way to find this is to check your owner’s manual. It should tell you the type of RAM your system is using, it should also tell you the maximum amount of RAM your system can take.

Obviously, an easy way to make sure you don’t exceed the maximum memory on your computer, just subtract your current memory from the allowed limit listed in your system specifications. For instance, if your computer takes a maximum of 512MB of RAM and you have 256MB installed - then you can upgrade to an additional 256MB of RAM (512MB - 256MB = 256MB).

You should also be aware that DDR is not backward/forward-compatible, which means that if you’re upgrading a computer that doesn’t have DDR technology, it won’t take a DDR upgrade.

Likewise, DDR2 is not backward-compatible, which means if your system doesn’t have DDR2 technology; it won’t accept a DDR2 upgrade.

So check your system very carefully and see what kind of RAM it has and the maximum amount of RAM it will take. You must also check to see if your computer’s warranty will be null and void if you install the RAM yourself! Some manufacturers actually seal your computer case and you must have an authorized technician to install your RAM.

Third Step - How Much RAM Do You Need?

It’s generally agreed that you need at least 256MB for Windows XP and Mac OS X. You will only need 128MB for other operating systems in Windows or Mac. Most general office work and heavy multi-tasking may need 512MB of RAM. Gamers or Professional Graphic workers usually need the most RAM - up to 2GB or more of RAM.

Please note, installing a faster speed RAM (as noted earlier) will not increase the speed of your computer or laptop. The only way to increase the speed of your computer is to increase the AMOUNT of RAM you have in your system. Going from 256MB of RAM to 512MB of RAM will speed up your computer. Going to 2GB of RAM will make it go even faster. Benchmark testing has shown that you can get from 28% up to 43% increase in performance, depending on the amount of RAM increase.

However, there’s always a spoiler, other parts of your computer must be able to handle this increase. Your computer will only go as fast as your slowest link. In other words, you may have to upgrade other elements in your computer to receive the benefits of a memory upgrade. Make sure you check this factor first before your make your memory upgrade. Otherwise, you may just be wasting your time and money.

Another consideration is the Memory of your Video or Graphics Card in your system. The amount of VRAM is the major factor in your display’s resolution and color depth. A faster and more powerful upgrade in your Graphics Card will give you increased performance especially for handling graphics and videos, as in 3D Gaming.

Fourth Step - Ordering Your RAM

There are over 110,000 different memory upgrades you can choose from!

There are many places to order your RAM, from your local computer store to online sites. If you’re ordering online, one the most highly rated sites is Crucial.com - these people are memory experts and know their memory! They are a part of Micron, one of the largest DRAM makers in the world.

Perhaps, what’s more important, Crucial has very high consumer satisfaction ratings from other third party rating sites. This gives you an unbiased recommendation or indication that the service and product is top-notch. Even more important, they have the Crucial Memory Advisor™ tool which will scan your computer system and tell you what memory upgrades are available. They also back up their products with a lifetime warranty.

Some other thing to keep in mind when ordering your RAM. Many desktop systems or computers use what’s called “non-parity” memory which means it does not need ECC (error correction code) or “parity” modules.

Registered, buffered, and unbuffered are other terms that will come up - they refer to how a certain memory module processes signals. Usually, most PC systems take unbuffered RAM and rely on the motherboard controller to help process memory. Registered RAM is used mostly in servers.

Fifth Step - Installing Your New Memory or RAM

If you order your RAM online, you will receive your RAM module in an anti-static bag, along with detailed instructions on how to install your RAM. On modern system boards, RAM is installed on SIMM or DIMM modules (SODIMM in notebooks).

One of the most important things to do when installing RAM or working with your Computer is to ‘Ground Yourself’ to make sure you don’t ‘Shock’ your computer with static electricity. You can take some simple precautions to prevent this from happening. If you have wrist straps designed to prevent shocks, you need to wear them.

If you don’t have wrist straps, here’s a simple way to ground yourself:

You should turn off your computer, monitor, plus all accessories (speakers, printer, and scanner). Unplug your computer and any accessories. Then quickly touch an unpainted part of your computer case and keep your feet planted in one position while installing your RAM. If you walk around, repeat the process above before you touch any internal parts of your laptop or computer.

Open up the back of your computer or laptop. Depending on your model, you may need a screwdriver. If you have a laptop or notebook, the memory slots are sometimes located under the keyboards. Most times, it’s in the back of your laptop - check your manual for the location of your laptop’s memory.

Depending on your upgrade, you may have to replace your RAM module with the New one, in other cases, you will be adding any extra module or two. Follow the specific directions that come with your RAM upgrade - installing the RAM is only a matter of a Push and a snap! Your RAM upgrade will snap into their memory slots without too much difficulty.

Before you close the case, turn your computer or laptop on to see if your new RAM is installed. You will see it on the startup screens or you can easily check it by going into ‘My Computer’ under properties - if you’re using Windows.

Basically, this is how to do your own computer or laptop memory upgrade. There may be other elements or aspects you might want to check out before installing your new RAM but follow the guidelines above and the detailed instructions that come with your RAM module or modules and you should be OK.

If you have any trouble, click the link in the resource box below. They have extensive detailed guides that you can follow. If may be a good idea to check out these guides first, before you order your memory, to see the kind of procedure you will have to do to install your RAM. Realizing how simple this procedure is may relieve some of your initial fears concerning a memory upgrade for your system.

This site also has ‘live’ help where you can chat to Expert Memory Technicians if you are still having problems.

Most commonly used memory is as follows:

Minimum - 500 and 12 MB,
Recommended - One GB,
Optimum - Two GB and the Best - More than Two GB.

These ranges are generally used for most common computing tasks. To make a final decision it is required to check the future software. The memory slots given are not precise as they vary from many operating systems as more memory is used by some people.

Many laptop users use graphic controllers which occupy a certain portion of general memory for the graphics. This will automatically reduce the memory capacity in the system. To compensate on this, it is better to opt for laptop with more memory. RAM is known as Random Access Memory and it is the primary working memory in the system used to store temporary programs and data’s which can be accessed directly and also personalized or modified.

There are different types of memory and they have their own specifications or conditions. Mostly DDR Two memory specification is used in new systems nowadays, but some laptops do come with older DDR type memory. This won’t be for a long term, as now the next model of system which has been started with DDR Three type memory. Not only the memory type determines the system level, but also the speeds of memory play a vital role in this part. Before buying a laptop check and make sure with the speed of the memory also. There are two ways that the memory speeds can be chosen; the first is by memory type and clock rating and second is by listing the type of memory.

Laptop in general has two slots of memory modules compared to four or more in the desktop system. There are some systems available in the markets which do not have the facility of changing the size of memory this is known as Memory Restrictions. So check with that before the purchase.

Most important aspect to be considered at the time of purchase of laptop is to know the maximum amount of its memory and this is almost specified by all the manufacturers. This will help to know the upgrading potential of the system and next is to know about the memory configuration of the system. The system with single memory module will allow for a better upgrade potential, so that by adding some more modules the system can gain more memory as well as the current memory will exist.

Nowadays most of the laptops have a small opening on the underside with access to the memory module slots, which will help the user to just purchase and install a memory up gradation. To increase the overall performance of the laptop it is better to upgrade the memory.

The DDR memory chips that are available in the market have no architectural differences with regards to the clock frequencies that they have been designed for. The number denoted on the chip is an indication of the speed at which the device will be performing. Underclocking is the phenomenon of making your chip run at a speed lower than that which has been specified. Overclocking is the exact opposite of this phenomenon. Amateurs should however not experiment with their memory chips in this manner as it may lead to damage.

You will find some new chipsets to be making use of dual and quad channel configurations. This is done for the purpose of increasing the bandwidth. In order to reap maximum benefits of a dual channel configuration you should make use of a pair of matching memory modules.

The internet offers you a unique opportunity to look for DDR Memory chips for your desktop computer. Some the Computer Memory chipsets available online are:

INDUSTRY STANDARD 1GB PC2100 266MHZ NON-ECC DDR SDRAM

This is a super high quality 1GB chipset for your desktop computer. It comes with a 184 pin and dual in line memory module configuration. It as gold leads and a phase lock loop that helps the clock driver to reduce the loading. The chipset enters the commands on each positive CK edge. The chipset can perform concurrent operations with ease due to the four internal clock inputs. It also comes with an auto precharge option and auto refresh and self refresh modes. You will be able to get your hands on this chipset for just $45.

INDUSTRY STANDARD 512MB PC2100 266MHZ NON-ECC DDR SDRAM

If you are looking for something with a smaller memory capacity then you can grab the above mentioned model for just $25. This is a special 512MB chipset that has a Non-ECC optimized pin out. It features the dual in line memory module along with gold leads. The four internal banks enable the chipset to run concurrent operations. It has all the standard features of the series and is ideal if you are looking for a 512 MB chipset.

INDUSTRY STANDARD 256MB PC2100 266MHZ NON-ECC DDR SDRAM

If you want something even lower than the 512 then you have this particular 256 MB chipset that gives you the same optimum performance. This speedy chipset will help to give your PC a boost and you can get your hands on this one for just $19.

Most people find that installing more memory in your computer can be quite cheap, and is usually pretty helpful. It allows you to do more tasks, more efficiently. For instance having more memory could help an excel spreadsheet to run a calculation faster. Opening up two Internet browsers wouldnt cause the whole computer to get slower. Even opening up a computer program to run it would be faster.

In todays computing world, you need at a very minimum 512MB of memory, and if youre going to be using Windows Vista, youd be better served with at least 1GB of memory. While youll find high-end systems with 2-4GB or more of memory.

However, knowing that you need memory is the easy part. Finding what memory you need for your specific computer is the hard part. It would be much simpler if it was like DVDs, every DVD runs in every DVD player. However, memory comes in different sizes, speed ratings and they are not all compatible with each other. Take note that laptop memory is generally a different size than what you can find in desktops. So, you wont find it interchangeable. The first place to look is in the users manual or any documentation you have with the computer, or on the manufacturers website.

So, once you have the right size figured out, you have to go one step extra. You have to find out if you have the room to install more memory in your computer. Each computer has a limited amount of physical space to install the memory, and a limit to how much memory can be used. So, youll have to find out how much physical space is available, and what the impact will be if you have to switch smaller chips with bigger chips. For instance if your computer has two slots filled with 256MB chips for a total of 512MB, and you bought two 512MB chips. You would only have 1GB of memory, and the old 256MB chips will not be able to be used. Its a little complicated, but worth the trouble to figure out.

They have many of the makes and models of all major manufacturers, and provide guidelines for purchasing and installing more memory.

Even if it looks complicated, in many cases upgrading the memory in your computer is the best way to improve the performance of your computer. It can delay the need for a new computer by months or years. Dont feel hampered by slow performance, upgrade today.

Other folks have older computers that might have had a reasonable amount of memory installed at the time of purchase, but struggle to keep up with the memory requirements of modern applications. Installing additional memory is a relatively inexpensive way to boost performance in old and new computers alike.

If your computer is 2-3 years old and it is running somewhat slow, then it’s worth considering purchasing a memory upgrade before lashing out on a new computer. The majority of people that I talk to about computer memory upgrades (especially those with a computer over 2 years old) are surprised at the increase in overall performance after installing a memory upgrade. Typically it can extend the useable life of the average computer by another 2-3 years, at a mere fraction of the cost of buying a new one.

Installing a memory upgrade is usually a simple process, requiring at most a phillips screwdriver to either undo the memory hatch on your notebook, or to remove the case if you have a desktop pc. Once you have access to the memory slots, it’s just a simple matter of pushing the memory module into the spare slot firmly, closing the hatch or putting the case back on, putting the screw back in, and rebooting the computer.

It can be a more complicated exercise if your memory slots are fully populated, but a competent memory supplier should be able to provide you with advice on the upgrade options available and whether or not you will need to remove one or more of the existing modules to make room for larger ones.

The question a lot of people ask me when considering buying a memory upgrade is “What size memory upgrade should I buy?”

I usually answer this with a question: “Tell me about the sort of things you use your computer for?”

Generally speaking I recommend you install 512mb if you are running Windows XP on your computer. Microsoft say that the minimum is far less, but it really is the minimum in my opinion. 512Mb of installed memory will give you enough room for Windows XP to load, and a little spare for a couple of web browser windows, an email client, antivirus application, and a spreadsheet or word processor.

If you run OSX or a flavour of Linux, I still recommend 512mb as a minimum.

If you only have the generally accepted minimum of 256mb, this is barely enough to load Windows XP. As you start up other applications, your pc will begin to allocate “virtual” memory. This means that a section of your computers hard drive is used for moving around data in the same way that physical memory is used, only it goes a lot slower.

If you do photo editing in addition to the basics, think about going up to 1GB of installed memory. If you are a home video buff or play a lot of computer games, then 2GB is really going to keep you productive. (Is gaming productive?).

Memory upgrades are available from many different sources, and made by a lot of different manufacturers. Kingston are probably the best known manufacturer, and they make modules for most of the top OEM’s, who rebrand Kingston memory as their own.

Before purchasing an RAM upgrade, be sure to ask if the memory is guaranteed to be compatible with your PC or laptop, and is backed by a no-quibble return policy. Always make sure a lifetime warranty applies as well.

So if you or your kids are complaining about their latest computer game running too slow, consider that you might not need to buy a new computer even if it is a couple of years old, but simply upgrade the one you have with some more memory. It can make a world of difference, and make your computing investment last a lot longer.

Now, find out what the speed of the PC memory is. When dealing with computer memory, you have to know this information. Next, does your computer use single in-line memory modules (SIMMs) or dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs)? When conducting an upgrade, it’s also key to figure out if the computer uses regular, FPM, EDO, or Synch DRAM. How many pins are on the motherboard? 30, 72, or 168?

Computer memory upgrades require that you remove the cover from the computer so that you can determine the number of open RAM slots available. See if you can find between two and eight parallel sockets of the same size on the main circuit board. In most cases a minimum of two sockets contain RAM memory. You’ll recognize RAM because it looks like ruler-shaped circuit boards with chips on one or both sides.

Buy more memory to match the specifications you currently have for your computer. There are plenty of guides online that will give you the detailed ins and outs of how to install the RAM memory specifically - it’s not very difficult and almost anyone can do it if they learn how. There’s no point in purchasing a whole new computer if all you have to do is carry out a computer memory upgrade. Also, if you don’t want to do this all on your own it’s possible to hire a computer expert to make the installation for you.

Take note that in most cases you have to install SIMMS in pairs.

A great tip is that you can check how much PC memory you have installed in your computer currently, before carrying out upgrades, by checking your My Computer properties in Windows, or selecting About This Macintosh from the Apple menu (depending on which computer system you own).

Installing new computer memory is different when it comes to laptop memory for one main reason - with laptop memory you can’t open the computer yourself, so you’ll have to have the upgrade installed by a professional or purchase a new computer. Notebook memory and desktop memory differ in this way. Again, notebook memory is inaccessible to the general public, while desktop memory can be installed by anyone with a basic knowledge of computers.

However you carry out these upgrades, make sure you know what you’re doing beforehand. If you can’t complete the process independently, consider having the memory installed by someone with more experience with computers.