...........................
R A M
Random
Access Memory
How to Add RAM to Your Laptop
BY JOHN FULLER
If you've ever switched from
a desktop computer to a laptop, the experience can be liberating.
While some might enjoy having
a single space in which to work at a computer and organize files both physical
and digital, a desktop can also keep you feeling anchored to the spot.
It relies on electrical
outlets 100 percent of the time, and carrying all of its bulky components from
one place to the next isn't convenient, either.
Laptops, however, run on
battery power, and, once sufficiently charged, can operate anywhere you
carry them.
They're small, thin and
lightweight, so whether you want to lounge on the couch or work at the coffee
shop, laptops are portable and easy tools to use.
But
the only real difference between a laptop and a desktop, of course, is how they're
put together.
A
laptop has all of the same hardware and accessories a desktop does, like a
screen, a keyboard, a microprocessor, memory storage and a series of fans to
cool the system down.
Everything
is just arranged differently since it needs to fit in a much smaller package.
That
means once you start building up more files, adding more pictures, uploading
more music and using more programs simultaneously, you'll experience something many
laptop computer users lament -- slow load times and sluggish performance.
Typically,
the culprit behind any performance issue is an insufficient amount of random
access memory, or RAM.
Although
some owners cringe at the thought of adding more RAM because a laptop's
layout isn't as straightforward as a desktop, sometimes adding or upgrading the
RAM on your system is the easiest and cheapest solution to increasing your
laptop's performance.
So
what exactly are you doing when you add more RAM to your system?
How
do you choose the right RAM? And once you've opened up that laptop, how do you
install RAM correctly?
Choosing RAM
Everyone has
their own needs for their laptop, so what should you look for when buying RAM?
When most people refer to a
computer's "memory," they're talking about random access memory,
or RAM.
RAM is considered important
to your laptop's central processing unit (CPU), because memory allows you to
run several programs at once without too much interruption.
How do you know if you need
more RAM, though?
The telltale sign of too
little RAM is slow performance.
Usually, when you purchase a
new laptop, it takes very little time to start the computer and run its
existing programs.
But as you add files and
perform more tasks simultaneously, things start to slow down.
If you boot up your computer
and it takes several minutes for everything to work properly, chances are you
could use more RAM.
Fortunately, adding RAM to
your laptop is probably the easiest and most inexpensive method to boost
computer performance.
Even getting a new CPU for
your laptop might not do as much as adding RAM.
But if you do a little bit of
searching on the topic of RAM, you'll find there are several different kinds
and many different sizes available.
What's the right RAM for your
computer?
First of all, you need to judge
the performance of your laptop and ask yourself what kind of work you'll be
doing.
If you play games on your
laptop or run lots of programs that take up a lot of processing power, you'll
want a good amount of RAM -- 2 GB of RAM or more.
If you're using your laptop
for simple day-to-day work, you probably won't need more than 512 MB of memory [source: Crucial]
Adding RAM
Although it
might look a little difficult, everything you need to add more RAM to your
computer is right in front of you once you open up the back of your laptop.
Once you've purchased the
necessary RAM module, you're ready to add more memory to your computer. Before
you start anything, make sure the laptop is completely turned off and
unplugged from any power sources for the sake of safety.
It's also recommended that
you use an antistatic wrist strap while you're handling a RAM module.
Once everything is powered
down, you'll need to find the memory compartment door.
Different manufacturers put
these slots in different places, but on most laptops, you'll find a small door
on the underside of the machine.
Using the appropriate
screwdriver, open the door and take a look inside. There are typically two
slots for RAM.
If both slots are full,
you'll have to remove one of the modules and replace it with a module with more
memory to upgrade your laptop's RAM.
You can remove a RAM module
by pressing on the little ejector clips that hold the module in place. If one
of the slots is empty, you can simply place the new module in the slot.
Adding a module is fairly
straightforward -- it should just slide into place and, once you give it a
little push, it'll lock down with the help of the clips.
Again, your experience may be
different depending on the company that made your computer, so make sure to
check your owner's manual or support Web site before you start opening your
laptop's case.
Once you have everything back
into place, replace the access door and turn on your computer. If everything
goes well, your laptop should automatically recognize the extra memory.
You'll find that your
computer will boot much faster, run applications more smoothly and switch
between programs with less lag time.
About John
Fuller
John Fuller earned a bachelor’s degree in
English from the University of Georgia, where he also minored in film studies.
After a brief stint in film and television production, John began his career at
HowStuffWorks as a staff writer, writing about spacewalks, cave dives and
everything in between. He eventually switched to a position as editor, which is
where you’ll find him now. John also co-hosted the music podcast 'Stuff From the B-Side'
with publisher Mark Larson from 2008 to 2009, and he currently contributes to “Stuff From the Future.'
John stands at his desk while he works,
which still gets him the occasional funny look from his coworkers. When he’s
not editing articles or eating too much free candy from the office, he enjoys
reading fiction, searching high and low for cheap (but quality) used vinyl,
playing basketball and watching baseball.
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