More Laptop Memory - More Laptop Performance
Laptops nowadays aren't just about size anymore. Manufacturers are continuously churning out new Laptops with better and higher specifications, so much so that a new Laptop right now could be outdated and outperformed by the new models in six months. If you want to improve your laptop's performance and keep it a little farther away from obsolescence, you should seriously consider buying more laptop memory.
What's So Special About It?
You've probably heard about random access memory (RAM) before. It's one of the specifications that manufacturers and retailers use to measure up laptop units against one another. If you've ever modified or upgraded a Desktop computer before, then you've definitely seen how RAM modules look like. They're the long green strips of chips that are held in position by clamps on the motherboard.
Memory for laptops, however, is very different. RAM modules for laptops are considerably smaller than their Desktop counterparts for the simple reason that laptops are smaller. Laptop RAM modules are designed not only to fit in the smaller chassis but also to consume less energy. That's why laptop memory is often very expensive. You're paying for regular performance squeezed into a much smaller component.
Despite the difference in size, RAM in laptops performs the same functions that it does in a Desktop computer. Your computer uses RAM to temporarily hold bits of data while your processor is performing calculations. The more RAM you have, the more bits of data your computer can handle simultaneously. That's the simple explanation why there's a considerable boost in performance when you add RAM to any computer.
When Should You Get More?
There are some situations that really call for you to buy more memory for your laptop. If, for example, you've got a computer that performs sluggishly despite having an adequately fast processor, the problem might lie with the memory (or lack thereof). Installing new or updated software could also require you to add more memory to your laptop.
Most computer users agree that there's no such thing as 'too much' when it comes to RAM on laptops. Although as little as 256MB of RAM will get you by on a basic, no-frills laptop, even that kind of unit will have average to poor performance in terms of speed. High amounts of RAM are nothing short of necessary on laptops running newer operating systems like Windows Vista, where even 1GB of RAM is often not enough.
Before you go to the electronics store and clean out their RAM section, though, it's a good idea to take a look at your laptop's user manual first. All laptops have a certain limitation with the amount of RAM that each one can handle. Older models can usually hold up to 2GB, while the latest ones can hold up to 4GB. It'd be an awful waste if you were to buy more RAM, only to find out that your laptop couldn't handle the addition.
Getting more memory for your laptop isn't cheap. Buying SODIMM - the size specification for laptop memory - can set you back as much as 0. In most cases, though, the boost in speed and improved performance are well worth the cost.
