Fitting RAM to a laptop - Computer Help & PC Help Forums

**Quacker** · 06-05-2008, 02:05 PM

Hi there. We're getting a laptop for stepdaughter's 16th birthday and for university use. A budget one should suffice but the spec is 1gb RAM. Is it easy to add another gig, or do you think should have it installed at purchase. I hear 1gb would just about run Vista. Is that correct?

Thanks

Steve

**shrimply** · 06-05-2008, 02:22 PM

Well having just upgraded from 1 gig, I can tell you a few things although I'm no expert.

Vista runs OK on 1 gig, I have done for nearly a year, so if it is just basic word processing and things it shouldn't matter too much, bigger applications, will require a bit more RAM, not had a chance to try much out yet but the media centre is running much more smoothly when I'm viewing TV.

If its somewhere like Dell and its going to cost you a tenner or something similar to stick in an extra Gig then I personally would. Luckily my new stuff worked but it can be difficult, although if you've got the people here behind you not much can go wrong in computer world.

If its a shop and they're going to charge you a larger amount for the upgrade, I do it yourself, my RAM cost £14 and its not hard to fit.

I'm sure the experts will give you more in depth answers though.

**Wolfeymole** · 06-05-2008, 02:25 PM

The operative word is JUST Steve.
Any more info on the make of lappy would be good mate.

**Dalo Harkin** · 06-05-2008, 03:02 PM

In terms of actually installing the RAM - there are 2 screws on a small plate on the underside of the laptop undo them and take the plate off you can see the RAM modules and you just pull 2 clips to the side to eject the RAM and then to install you push it in at an angle and then 'click and lock into place' and you push it gently down to fit the other on top

**Quacker** · 06-08-2008, 02:52 PM

Yesterday was quite fruitful - my other half took me away from the computer (probably sensed my rising stress levels lol).

Finished up buying a Toshiba laptop and ended up with 512gb model instead of 1gb ram model. Soon added 2gb for £29 in store so now has 2.5gb ram - better than all of my machines lol.

Yes I could have done it myself, but I thought it a fair price - but what do I know (also building up a rapport with the local company - might get me favours in future lol).

No doubt in future I'll be on another forum for help setting up a wifi to enable said PC to be used remotely.

Steve

**shrimply** · 06-08-2008, 02:59 PM

I'd say that was a good price, my only concern is that if it came with 512mb of RAM and running vista its probably home basic, which from what I've read isn't as good as the other products, but what do I know,lol

**Quacker** · 06-08-2008, 04:13 PM

I've not used Vista tbh. To me it's a means to an end. I am no more impressed with XP than I was 98 or 95 or even Windows 3.1 - all it is (to me) is a route to get online or into pictures, or office, corel draw, photoshop etc.

Fortunately the stepdaughter has used it at school.

**Seth** · 06-08-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quacker

I've not used Vista tbh. To me it's a means to an end. I am no more impressed with XP than I was 98 or 95 or even Windows 3.1 - all it is (to me) is a route to get online or into pictures, or office, corel draw, photoshop etc.

Excellent point.

I'm using Vista for basic computing as above, and it runs fine on my 1GB of ram and a 2.8 GHZ Celeron.