Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance

Why more memory in your laptop, notebook, sub-notebook or netbook (as these all apply here) is a valid way to boosting performance.

Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance

Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance

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Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance

Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance

Why laptop Computer memory matters?

The topic of laptop memory size is by no means new. What is more distinct however is that most people hear advice such as "more memory is always better" and automatically conclude that this stateMent is true whatever the use of your Computer. The real truth behind this is that while such advice is generally correct, it is best understood once one appreciates the background facts. All laptop Computers make use of a certain Operating System - Microsoft Windows is by far the most popular (Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, Vista or 7 etc.). This is the software that both interacts and manages two aspects: a) the hardware and other software used on it and b) the user (hardware).

An Operating System must load its own components into memory when it starts. In effect, a large chunk of its footprint gets copied into physical memory within your notebook computer, this in turn found on the memory modules inside your laptop's chassis. To add to this, any additional software that is necessary to run your laptop computer for the purposes you use it is also loaded. This usually means any device drivers and third Party software. Ideally the Operating System attempts to allocate most or all the above in physical memory. If there is an insufficient amount of such memory, the Operating System will imitate it on your laptop's storage medium. The latter will in most cases mean a hard drive or solid state drive (in newer laptops). The term given to describe it is virtual memory.

Since both a hard drive and solid state drive are considerably slower than notebook computer memory, the effect of this is that performance will be degraded. The net outcome of this is that it may take longer for software programs to load, to run, to shutdown, and to switch between (multi-task) etc. The more of these software programs run in such circumstances, the more the performance will suffer.

How much laptop computer memory is enough?

A cure to the above problem are laptop memory upgrades. This will expand the total amount of physical memory in your laptop computer and either reduce or completely eliminate the slowdown associated with insufficient physical memory. How much laptop computer memory is enough is subject to two different aspects: a) what types of software do you use on your laptop computer and b) how much laptop memory does your laptop computer support.

To answer part "A" you need to ask yourself what software you use. For example, you may simply use it for Internet browsing, word processing, the odd game. Alternatively you may use it professionally for graphics work or audio or video editing. Furthermore you may be an avid gamer. Each of these scenarios reflects a different optimum amount of laptop computer memory. For simple Internet browsing and similar 2GB will in most cases be enough. If however you are a professional doing graphics/audio or video work then anything between 4-8GB will probably suit you best. If on the other hand you are a gamer, 4GB or more is likely what you should be aiming for.

To answer Part "B" is a little trickier because in order to determine how much laptop computer memory your laptop supports, you need to either look into the user manual (not always possible and exhaustive) or determine the memory controller it uses. Either method works with the latter being more for the hardcore computer user. Luckily, there are tools online that will scan your laptop computer and tell you this information without any or much technical awareness on your part. You can find these tools by simply searching online, or optionally visiting my website. Whatever the outcome from part "A" or part "B" you should always opt for the most optimum laptop memory upgrades, both for your laptop computer and the tasks you use it for. As a result you will guarantee a smoother user experience.

In Summary

Be sure to extract the most important traits of the above information. Both the Operating System and any additional software used on your laptop computer are loaded into physical memory. Should your laptop computer not have enough of physical memory for the purposes for which you use it, the Operating System will simulate it in what is described as virtual memory. Unfortunately, the latter is considerably slower than physical memory and thus performance is degraded.

A well chosen laptop memory upgrade is a solution to the above. How large it should be is determined via a) what you use your laptop computer for and b) how much physical memory your laptop computer supports. This information can be rendered via asking yourself the first question, and looking in the user manual or using an online scanner for the second question.

Once you determine and opt for suitable laptop memory upgrades, you will witness a Faster performing laptop!

Laptop Memory Upgrades - Why More Memory Means Better Performance

Different Types of Computer Memory

Computer memory refers to either of two types of Computer storage. Volatile memory refers to RAM that needs to be constantly refreshed to be retained. Static memory is permanent storage that is retained even after the Computer is turned off.

Different Types of Computer Memory

Different Types of Computer Memory

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Different Types of Computer Memory

Different Types of Computer Memory

RAM or Random Access Memory is volatile memory that is erased when the power goes off. Program instructions and data held in RAM can be accessed and saved much more quickly than that held in permanent storage. Therefore, files needed to run a program and data that is being processed are held in RAM while they are in use. The amount of RAM you need depends at least partly on the operating system( a program that directs all the basic functions of a Computer such as accepting commands from a keyboard, displaying input on a monitor screen, and controlling disk drives and some other peripheral devices) you select as well as the type of programs you intend to run.

When you boot up the computer, in other words turn it on, the operating system or part of it is loaded into the RAM along with a variety of utilities required for normal operation. Therefore, programs and data are loaded into what's left. As little as 2MB(megabytes) total will suffice for most DOS( disk operating system-a proprietary program that controls all the basic functions of a computer) programs. In a Windows 3.x environMent, 4MB is the recomMended minimum, but 8MB runs far better.

Beyond operating system demands, the amount of RAM required depends on the applications to be run. For example, heavy graphics, real time video, and such need more RAM to keep things from slowing to a crawl or stop. Generally, off-the-rack machines come with 8 to 16MB, more than enough for a general purpose computer.

With improved handling of memory, reduced access times, and lower cost have conspired to make larger amounts of RAM practical. Which in turn has given programmers free rein to add more bells and whistles. This also helps programmers to become more creative in writing programs that require more RAM. There is reason to believe that this trend will continue.

As for static memory, you don't have to be very old to remember buying a computer without a hard drive, then later installing a 20MB hard drive, unable to imagine ever needing more storage than that. Today, a 250MB hard drive is popular; however, most new computers are in the 500 to 1000MB( 1 gigabyte) range. And you may need all of that MB and then some.

Computer Memory fact #1: For the faint of heart, when programs or data files are called up from permanent storage, they are not moved, they are merely copied. If the power goes off during processing, programs generally are safe. The only loss will be data that was changed since the last save.

Computer Memory fact #2: If you decided to get a MAC computer, don't worry. The MAC computer comes loaded with a proprietary operating system and the proper amount of RAM to run it.

Different Types of Computer Memory

Photographic Memory - 5 Tips to Improve Memory

Photographic memory has been considered impossible to acquire since you need to be born with it to acquire it. However you don't need to remember everything using a photographic memory. You can use it just to remember certain things you want to. Here are 5 tips to improve your memory using a photographic memory.

Photographic Memory - 5 Tips to Improve Memory

Photographic Memory - 5 Tips to Improve Memory

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Photographic Memory - 5 Tips to Improve Memory

Photographic Memory - 5 Tips to Improve Memory

1. Associating Pictures

When you read some material and want to remember the facts, you can make up a story which explains the facts in a humorous way. For example, if you want to remember the components of a Computer, you can picture each component using a funny image.

The motherboard can have your mother's face on the side. That's easy to remember. The RAM (or Computer memory), can look like a battering ram, the CPU can look like a brain since it's the brain of the computer.

Using these images, you can picture in your mind, all these components together with the associated images. If you have a test on what are the components of a PC, you can imagine the picture and write out all the answers.

2. Remembering Faces

When you try to remember a person's name or face, you need to look at their features such as hAir, eyes, mouth, nose and shape of face. Then imagine their names on their foreheads.

You then need to imagine the picture in your mind of the this person. The more you practice doing this, the better your photographic memory becomes.

3. Photograph Games

A good exercise you can do to remember pictures is to play games where you train up your brain in relation to photographic images.

Take a picture of a magazine, look at it for a minute and then write down everything you can see. After playing this game for a few weeks, many people have stated that they have improved treMendously in remembering images they've seen.

Here you are training your brain on how to remember pictures you've seen when you concentrate on it.

4. Practicing Photographic Memory

Another game you can play to improve your photographic memory, is to look at your desk or room, for about 5 seconds and then close your eyes and think about the picture in your mind.

Can you recall all the details you've seen? Can you see all the colors of the items?

5. Concentration

If you want to improve your photographic memory, then you need to practice concentration. Let's say for the above games and exercises that have just been discussed - you won't succeed unless you focus on what you want your brain to remember.

Children have better photographic memories than adults. They also have a better short term memory. The reason is that they focus on what they see and thus it's easier for them to remember.

Adults prefer multi-tasking, where their thoughts jump everywhere and they're doing something with their hands simultaneously.

Focusing your attention on one task will improve your memorization of the task at hand. If you mutli-task or get disrupted, your memorization ability falls.

Having a photographic memory can be trained up. As long as you train your brain to remember images when you concentrate on a particular scene or objects. Having a complete photographic memory is impossible unless you are born with it.

But do you really want a true photographic memory? You'll remember everything you see. You'll go crazy. Practicing a photographic memory, is just one of the techniques to improve memory. You need to read up more on memory improveMent to understand other exercises and techniques so that you can improve your memory for the long term.

Photographic Memory - 5 Tips to Improve Memory