Be More Productive With A Laptop Memory Upgrade

Laptop and notebook computers are notorious for not having enough memory. Very often, due to the expense of a laptop computer, buyers will only order the standard memory configuration. Typically, this is just enough memory to allow the version of Windows to run that ships with the computer. Consequently, after the purchase buyers will be looking for a laptop memory upgrade.

One of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make to your laptop is adding more memory. It is very easy to do and you do not need to hire a technician to do it. Most major laptop manufacturers like Toshiba, IBM, Sony, HP, and Dell all have instructions online on how to do it, in case you have lost the manufacturer’s instructions.

Typically, you’ll need only a screwdriver to open the backside of your laptop case, and simply pop in the new memory. Most laptops have at least two memory slots, although some have three.

For the most economical and easiest upgrade, just add the equivalent amount of memory into the second slot. For instance, if you have 512Mb, add another 512Mb memory module for a total of 1Gb of memory. You’ll instantly see an improvement in speed and responsiveness to your notebook computer.

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to buy memory from your laptop’s manufacturer. You’ll still want to choose a reliable memory manufacturer though, such as Kingston, Corsair, Crucial, or Ultra. They offer warranties that can help protect you against bad memory chips.

However, you’ll want to make sure that you buy the correct type of memory. This is where many buyers get nervous. Although your local computer store can help you find the right memory, it is not necessary to ask them. Just look at your laptop’s specifications. The most common kinds of memory on laptops is called 200-pin SO-DIMM. Older laptops may use a 144-pin module. The SO-DIMM stands for Small Outline Dual-Inline Memory Module. Be careful that you don’t purchase memory that does not have the SO in front of it, as these are for desktop computers. The smaller laptop chips don’t use as much heat and run slightly slower than higher end memory available for desktops, plus, they won’t fit in your laptop anyway.

You’ll also want to find out whether or not your laptop can accept DDR2, instead of the older DDR. Since they are exclusive, you can check your current memory module to determine whether it is DDR or the newer DDR2 and then buy accordingly.

If you plan on keeping your laptop for a couple more years, consider making a bigger purchase and buy larger memory module sizes. For instance, a smart upgrade from 512Mb would be to buy two 1Gb memory modules, and then remove the original 512Mb. While it might seem a waste to not use the 512Mb, most memory processors work more effectively when addressing equally-sized memory modules. Plus, you can always sell your older chip on an online auction website where buyers of older computers are looking for bargains to help upgrade their computers.

Lastly, before you change your memory, be sure to rid yourself of static electricity. You don’t need a fancy tool for this. Being barefoot and keeping one foot on a metal object nearby – like a filing cabinet – is generally sufficient. When you reboot your computer after installing the new memory, you’ll want to make sure that your BIOS recognizes the memory correctly. Additionally, be sure to go into System section in the Windows Control Panel to make sure that Windows is also recognizing your new memory.