How To Upgrade Your Notebook's RAM

If your notebook is suffering from lethargic performance, don't assume you need a whole new system. A RAM upgrade may be the answer to your problems. RAM, or Random Access Memory, is the part of the computer where programs are loaded into upon booting. Most notebooks start with approximately 512MB of RAM, which is adequate for surfing the Web, checking e-mail, and performing other basic productivity tasks. On the other hand, if you're planning on editing video or playing games-or running the Premium version of Windows Vista-you're going to need to upgrade your notebook's RAM to prevent your system from becoming sluggish. The more RAM you have, the more information your notebook can handle.
 
Inside of your notebook are one or more memory slots with at least one that contains a RAM module. If you want to add RAM into an empty slot, or replace the old Memory Sticks with higher capacities, you should consult the manual that came with your notebook in regards to the type of RAM (speed and pin size) that you need, and the maximum amount of memory your computer can house. Fortunately, if you don't have the manual on hand, sites such as Memory Stock (www.memorystock.com) offer drop-down boxes that allow you to find the appropriate RAM for your computer, searchable by manufacturer name and model number. You'll also need the appropriate screwdriver to remove the compartment door where the RAM resides.

 

For this How To, we upgraded the memory of a Dell Inspiron 700m running Windows XP. Here's how to get started.