When the RAM in the system is upgraded, it is for sure that a lot of benefits can be obtained by the end users. The start up time of the computer will be minimized and the loading of the programs will be done much faster. Thus, when the user upgrades the RAM of the computer, he can utilize the old computer as the new one without spending much money as well as time. He can proceed with the upload of new software that will not hinder his smooth functioning. The RAM is also available in different capacities and the user has to choose the required capacity depending upon the need. If more programmes have to be loaded on the computer, then it is necessary to upgrade the computer with the higher capacity to make the system run faster when all the programmes are used simultaneously.

It is not that quite easy task to find the exact RAM for the computer and that too with the good price. A little home work is required to achieve the same. RAM can be purchased through online which will save money due to the non entry of middle man who generally takes commission for the sale, which is avoided in the online transaction. The time is also saved when the purchase is made online as driving to various shops is avoided in this procedure.

On browsing online, many varieties of RAM upgrade can be seen. The exact RAM that will suit the computer has to be chosen for the proper functioning of the computer. Hence to save time and money to upgrade the RAM, it is a must to browse the sites and select the required RAM and then decide on the purchase.

Some online companies do offer despatch of RAM to the required address with free delivery. Some companies do give more discounts for a bulk order.

Besides the CPU (Central Processing Unit) RAM is probably the most vital element you will have in your laptop or computer. Just as you can’t have enough money, so too you can’t have enough RAM. The more the merrier. The more RAM you have, the faster your computer will perform.

Most serious gamers know their RAM. They know the difference between static and dynamic RAM. Many can even tell you how SIMM, DIMM and SO-DIMM memory modules are different from each other. Plus, they would all know the importance of VRAM or VideoRAM to the operation of their gaming laptop. Most of all, they know their Graphics Cards or GPUs (Graphics Processing Units).

First, you should realize, RAM is probably the best known form or type of computer memory. Second, RAM is very important in how well your computer can perform the tasks you call upon it to do. The more RAM you have, the more computer tasks and programs you can run at one time.

Nor should you make the mistake that only gamers are concerned about getting enough RAM; professionals who work with heavy graphics such as video editors, architects, layout artists, website designers… are also keenly aware of the importance of having enough RAM to get the job done. Keep in mind, computer technology is advancing at a blistering rate and is constantly changing. Overseeing all these industry standards and technology is JEDEC, which acts like a regulating body for the semiconductor industry. Hey, someone has to keep track of all these forms of RAM!

Basically, you have two kinds of RAM - Static RAM (SRAM) which is faster and more expensive than Dynamic RAM (DRAM). Just as their names suggest, Dynamic RAM is constantly refreshing and is slower and less expensive than Static RAM.

Static RAM is primarily used for cache such in your CPU’s speed-sensitive cache.

What confuses most people is the whole range or types of Dynamic RAM, with more in development as we speak. Complicating the matter even further, is the development of RAM for laptops which need smaller and more compact memory modules.

Here are some types of RAM you may or may not have seen or heard of:

FPM DRAM — which stands for “Fast Page Mode Dynamic Random Access Memory” and was the original form of DRAM. It has a maximum transfer rate of approximately 176 MBps to L2 cache; and if you’re wondering what is level 2 cache, this is cache located outside the processor chip. Level 1 refers to internal cache in the processor.

EDO DRAM — which stands for “Extended Data-out Dynamic Random Access Memory” and is around 5% faster than FPM DRAM. Transfer rate is at about 264 MBps to L2 cache.

SDRAM — which stands for “Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory” is very common in today’s computers. Transfer rate maxes out at around 528 MBps.

DDR SDRAM — which stands for “Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM” is similar to SDRAM but has higher bandwidth, allowing for greater speeds. Transfer rate to L2 cache is around 1,064 MBps.

DDR2 SDRAM — which stands for “Double-data-rate Two Synchronous Dynamic RAM”, operates the external data bus twice as fast as DDR SDRAM.

DDR3 SDRAM — which stands for “Double-data-rate Three Synchronous Dynamic RAM” and is an improvement over DDR2 SDRAM. DDR3 allows for chip capacities of 512 megabits up to 8 gigabytes, which gives you the maximum memory module size of a whopping 16 gigabytes.

Memory Modules

RAM modules are mounted on printed circuit boards to be used in personal computers. First, you had SIMMs (single in-line memory modules) which were gradually replaced by DIMMs (dual in-line memory modules). The main difference between them: SIMMs have a 32-bit data path and DIMMs have a 64-bit data path. Now for notebooks, you have SO-DIMMs (small outline dual in-line memory modules) which are smaller and more compact memory integrated circuits.

Of course, like everything in life, there are radically different forms of RAM such as RDRAM which stands for “Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory”. This was designed by Rambus and has a high speed data bus nicknamed the Rambus channel. Likewise, you had Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM) and for laptops you had SO-RIMM.

Graphics Card

Next you must know there is something called VRAM or VideoRAM. This is a type of RAM is used for video adapters or 3-D accelerators. VRAM is located in the Graphics Card and is important for high resolution and color depth, both very essential for gamers. Since true multiport VRAM is expensive, some Graphics Cards use SGRAM (synchronous graphics RAM) instead because it is cheaper. Other types of special high speed or multi-port memory include WRAM, DDR2, GDDR3 and GDDR4.

Your Graphics Card will be the heart of your gaming machine. Most gamers go for the top brands such as NVIDIA (GeForce) and ATI (Radeon) - the higher number series card usually means higher the performance. For example, at the time of writing, Nvidia has released the GeForce 9800 GX2, which is basically dual GeForce 8800 GT in one card. This will also give you DirectX 10 Graphics. Wait a couple of months and there will probably be something faster and more powerful on the market.

If one Graphics Card is good, then two or more would be even better. That’s why you have SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology which allows for the linking of two or more video cards together to get a single output. PCI Express, is another expansion card interface format which was introduced by Intel in 2004.

How Much RAM Do You Need?

As already mentioned, the more RAM you have, the better your computer will run. You will be able to perform more tasks and do them faster if you have plenty of RAM. Actually, upgrading your RAM to a higher level will usually give you a whole new computer.

There are recommended minimum requirements if you want to run certain programs or operating systems on your PC or Laptop. For running Windows XP, Microsoft recommends 128MB as the minimum RAM requirement, again more is better.

For Mac OS X systems you will need a minimum of 128 MB but for optimal performance try 512 MB. Linux will work nicely on a system with only 4 MB of RAM.

For Windows Vista - Microsoft recommends at least 1Gig of RAM but many users have reported that 2 to 3 Gigs of RAM makes Vista a much more easier beast to handle. Vista probably needs all the good press if can get.

For Gaming Laptops: How Much RAM?

Again the more the better, gaming laptops need a lot of RAM since you have heavy video graphics and images. Serious gamers usually buy as much RAM as they can afford, choosing the fastest machines with the latest Graphics Card. Laptops with four Gigs of RAM are becoming common, with many gamers opting for 8 Gigs.

At the time of writing, what levels are we currently at in regards to laptops and RAM? Well, the new Alienware Area-51® m17x Notebook comes with the following specs: An Intel® Core” 2 Extreme processor with up to 4GB DDR2 667MHz memory, sporting Dual Nvidia® GeForce® 8800M GTX. This machine also has the Killer” K1 Gaming Network Card plus the ultra-life-like environments generated by the Ageia PhysX” processor. You should also note that Ageia was recently (Feb. 2008) acquired by Nvidia.

Perhaps, in regards to RAM, the wisest route to take is to buy a laptop or PC where you can easily upgrade or expand the RAM if you need more memory. Changes are, wait a few months and you will probably need to increase your RAM.

Besides the CPU (Central Processing Unit) RAM is probably the most vital element you will have in your laptop or computer. Just as you can’t have enough money, so too you can’t have enough RAM. The more the merrier. The more RAM you have, the faster your computer will perform.

Most serious gamers know their RAM. They know the difference between static and dynamic RAM. Many can even tell you how SIMM, DIMM and SO-DIMM memory modules are different from each other. Plus, they would all know the importance of VRAM or VideoRAM to the operation of their gaming laptop. Most of all, they know their Graphics Cards or GPUs (Graphics Processing Units).

First, you should realize, RAM is probably the best known form or type of computer memory. Second, RAM is very important in how well your computer can perform the tasks you call upon it to do. The more RAM you have, the more computer tasks and programs you can run at one time.

Nor should you make the mistake that only gamers are concerned about getting enough RAM; professionals who work with heavy graphics such as video editors, architects, layout artists, website designers… are also keenly aware of the importance of having enough RAM to get the job done. Keep in mind, computer technology is advancing at a blistering rate and is constantly changing. Overseeing all these industry standards and technology is JEDEC, which acts like a regulating body for the semiconductor industry. Hey, someone has to keep track of all these forms of RAM!

Basically, you have two kinds of RAM - Static RAM (SRAM) which is faster and more expensive than Dynamic RAM (DRAM). Just as their names suggest, Dynamic RAM is constantly refreshing and is slower and less expensive than Static RAM.

Static RAM is primarily used for cache such in your CPU’s speed-sensitive cache.

What confuses most people is the whole range or types of Dynamic RAM, with more in development as we speak. Complicating the matter even further, is the development of RAM for laptops which need smaller and more compact memory modules.

Here are some types of RAM you may or may not have seen or heard of:

FPM DRAM — which stands for “Fast Page Mode Dynamic Random Access Memory” and was the original form of DRAM. It has a maximum transfer rate of approximately 176 MBps to L2 cache; and if you’re wondering what is level 2 cache, this is cache located outside the processor chip. Level 1 refers to internal cache in the processor.

EDO DRAM — which stands for “Extended Data-out Dynamic Random Access Memory” and is around 5% faster than FPM DRAM. Transfer rate is at about 264 MBps to L2 cache.

SDRAM — which stands for “Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory” is very common in today’s computers. Transfer rate maxes out at around 528 MBps.

DDR SDRAM — which stands for “Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM” is similar to SDRAM but has higher bandwidth, allowing for greater speeds. Transfer rate to L2 cache is around 1,064 MBps.

DDR2 SDRAM — which stands for “Double-data-rate Two Synchronous Dynamic RAM”, operates the external data bus twice as fast as DDR SDRAM.

DDR3 SDRAM — which stands for “Double-data-rate Three Synchronous Dynamic RAM” and is an improvement over DDR2 SDRAM. DDR3 allows for chip capacities of 512 megabits up to 8 gigabytes, which gives you the maximum memory module size of a whopping 16 gigabytes.

Memory Modules

RAM modules are mounted on printed circuit boards to be used in personal computers. First, you had SIMMs (single in-line memory modules) which were gradually replaced by DIMMs (dual in-line memory modules). The main difference between them: SIMMs have a 32-bit data path and DIMMs have a 64-bit data path. Now for notebooks, you have SO-DIMMs (small outline dual in-line memory modules) which are smaller and more compact memory integrated circuits.

Of course, like everything in life, there are radically different forms of RAM such as RDRAM which stands for “Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory”. This was designed by Rambus and has a high speed data bus nicknamed the Rambus channel. Likewise, you had Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM) and for laptops you had SO-RIMM.

Graphics Card

Next you must know there is something called VRAM or VideoRAM. This is a type of RAM is used for video adapters or 3-D accelerators. VRAM is located in the Graphics Card and is important for high resolution and color depth, both very essential for gamers. Since true multiport VRAM is expensive, some Graphics Cards use SGRAM (synchronous graphics RAM) instead because it is cheaper. Other types of special high speed or multi-port memory include WRAM, DDR2, GDDR3 and GDDR4.

Your Graphics Card will be the heart of your gaming machine. Most gamers go for the top brands such as NVIDIA (GeForce) and ATI (Radeon) - the higher number series card usually means higher the performance. For example, at the time of writing, Nvidia has released the GeForce 9800 GX2, which is basically dual GeForce 8800 GT in one card. This will also give you DirectX 10 Graphics. Wait a couple of months and there will probably be something faster and more powerful on the market.

If one Graphics Card is good, then two or more would be even better. That’s why you have SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology which allows for the linking of two or more video cards together to get a single output. PCI Express, is another expansion card interface format which was introduced by Intel in 2004.

How Much RAM Do You Need?

As already mentioned, the more RAM you have, the better your computer will run. You will be able to perform more tasks and do them faster if you have plenty of RAM. Actually, upgrading your RAM to a higher level will usually give you a whole new computer.

There are recommended minimum requirements if you want to run certain programs or operating systems on your PC or Laptop. For running Windows XP, Microsoft recommends 128MB as the minimum RAM requirement, again more is better.

For Mac OS X systems you will need a minimum of 128 MB but for optimal performance try 512 MB. Linux will work nicely on a system with only 4 MB of RAM.

For Windows Vista - Microsoft recommends at least 1Gig of RAM but many users have reported that 2 to 3 Gigs of RAM makes Vista a much more easier beast to handle. Vista probably needs all the good press if can get.

Microsoft classify computers as either “Vista Capable” or “Vista Premium Ready”, depending on the hardware specs.

Vista Capable pc’s will have a minimum 800 Mhz CPU, 512MB of RAM, 20GB hard drive (15GB free), and a DirectX 9 class graphics card. A computer that meets these requirements should be able to run all versions of Windows Vista, but may still require a hardware upgrade to access the advanced features of the new Aero interface, such as the window transparencies and other visual effects.

Vista Premium Ready pc’s will have at least a 1Ghz CPU, 1GB of installed RAM, a 40GB hard drive (15GB free), and an Aero-compatible graphics card which supports the new Windows Display Driver Model and 128mb of onboard memory. A computer that meets these requirements will be able to take advantage of the “high end” features of Windows Vista and have access to all of the new Vista special user interface effects.

To help you determine whether or not you can install Vista, Microsoft offer the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor from their website (runs on Windows XP or Vista) to help determine if your pc is capable of running the various versions of Vista.

Now that we’ve got the “official” requirements out in the open, let’s discuss the hardware you are really going to need to have a satisfying experience using Windows Vista.

After upgrading literally thousands of computers over the last 3 years, I really cannot recommend Windows Vista to anyone with a pc running a CPU slower than 1GHz. With a CPU this slow, it’s very likely that the maximum memory capacity of your pc is going to be 1GB (especially with laptops). If you have a pc in this category and only a minimum amount of RAM, I recommend staying with Windows XP and upgrading to at least 1GB of system memory. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes to how well Windows XP runs, and it’s likely going to feel like you are using a new computer. Alternatively, look at buying a new computer with Vista pre-installed.

If your PC has at least a 1GHhz CPU then by all means install Windows Vista, but don’t expect great performance with the recommended 512MB of installed RAM. Consider 1GB of RAM as the absolute minimum, and 2GB as the sweet spot. If you’re a power user who runs a lot of applications at once (or a serious gamer), then I recommend you consider 4GB of installed RAM as a target for the maximum experience, but only if you have a modern CPU (Core Duo 1.8Ghz equivalent or higher) and graphics card (256mb on-board ram or higher).

Windows Vista certainly provides a richer and more user-friendly interface, but the hardware requirements to take advantage of all the new features are quite steep. As with Windows XP and most other windows-based operating systems, installing a good amount of system memory is going to give you a pleasant experience and ultimately extend the useful life of your computer.

Usually, laptop slowdowns are caused by insufficient memory (RAM). If you increase the amount of memory in your laptop, you’ll most likely see its speed increase and performance improve. But for some of us, the idea of ferreting around inside our laptops to upgrade the memory ourselves is more than a little daunting. So, here’s a simple guide to help you with the process. Do it once, and you’ll be a pro!

1. Check the owner’s manual. It will tell you what type of memory your laptop requires and how much room you’ll have for memory expansion. It’s also good to know how many memory cards are already in your laptop and how many slots there are altogether. To check how much memory is already installed, you can open the laptop up and take a look into it or you can run one of the free downloads available online to run on your computer to do the sleuthing for you.
2. If you open your computer and find an empty memory slot, you’re in luck! You can just go to the store and get a memory card that fits into that slot and, voila, you’re done. Be careful not to exceed memory limits.
3. However, if both slots on your computer or full, you’ll need to remove one of the cards to make your upgrade. You’ll most likely want to take out the one with less memory so you’ll have to buy less to make your upgrade. Again, do the math to ensure you don’t exceed the memory limit. And remember that 1GB – 1024MB, not 1000MB as one would assume.
4. Remember, if you’re really unsure, enlist someone else who’s a bit more tech savvy for this trial run. Next time, you’ll know exactly what to do and will feel more confident in your ability.

Generally, notebook computers are categorised as follows:

Entry-level notebooks - These are notebook computers that is catered to the budget conscious. In general, they usually meet the minimum specifications required for the operating system. They are also not as reliable as the other categories of notebook computers because many reliability or high-performance features are sacrificed to fit a small budget. If you are one who prefers reliability & performance for a period of three to five years, it would be more worthwhile to invest a little more in a higher quality notebook.

High Performance notebooks - These are notebook computers that do not stinge on features & capabilities. They, of course, are also a pricey lot. Price aside, these notebook computers are created for the tough road warrior who is also a power user of the computer.

Highly Mobile notebooks - These are notebook computers that focus on mobility and style while trying not to compromise on features. They can be expensive as it would naturally cost more to design and build a notebook computer that is smaller, more reliable, more robust, and more resistance to the accidental bumps and drops.

What kind of notebook computers should I be looking for?

Unless budget is the ultimate constraint, I would recommend to go for a high performance notebook that would last you for a number of years. Entry-level notebooks don’t usually last and tend to breakdown after their warranty period is over. If you are alright with that, you can go for a entry-level notebook computer.

What should I look out for when selecting a notebook computer?

1. Comfort

Inspect the keyboard layout of the notebook computer. Make sure the layout is the same as the current keyboard that you have been using all this while. Look out especially for the keys “@”, “/”, “\”, “%”, [Home], [End], [Ins] and [Del]. If they are not at the “usual” places, you would need to face a learning curve after you have bought the notebook computer.

Try to type on the keyboard and see if the keys are too wide or too close together. If they are too wide or too narrow, it could put a strain on your hands if you type a lot using the keyboard.

2. Processor Speed

Unless you are a super power user, it actually doesn’t matter whether or not you get the latest available processor. Processing speed is now so fast that the human brain cannot even imagine the difference between a 1.4GHz processor and a 1.7GHz processor. When selecting the processor, choose a recent model and not the latest model unless your budget fits the bill. Otherwise, it’s alright to choose a slightly slower processor as you would not feel a visible difference in the processing speed. Spend your money on more RAM and storage space.

3. RAM or Computer Memory

This is one area you don’t want to compromise on. If you are using Windows XP Home, 512mb of RAM is a good minimum to start with. If you are using Windows XP Pro, 768mb or 1GB of RAM is recommended for optimal performance. Beyond that, let your budget do the talking.

4. Display Memory

Most entry-level computers share part of the RAM for video display memory, which also explains why entry-level notebooks are cheaper in a certain way. This also means your memory performance is somewhat compromised and you won’t have as much RAM as you want for your notebook computer. For example, if your notebook has 256mb of RAM, and the computer specifications for video display states 64mb of shared memory, it means that you only have 192mb of RAM available for the operating system to use. Generally, this translates to a slower performing notebook computer.

The high performance computers usually have a separate display memory card built-in that gives the high performance, while the highly mobile computers may also deploy a shared memory strategy for display memory, similar to entry-level computers, due to the need to keep the form factor small.

If you budget allows, go for a independent display memory of at least 128mb.

5. Hard Drive Storage
The cost of hard drive storage have come down quite dramatically these days. And 60GB/80GB would be the minimum norm for most computers. Plan to have at least two partitions ( C: drive & D: drive ) for your harddrive. Store only programs on your C: drive and all your data on your D: drive.

6. Language Support Options

If you need to have other language support options in addition to your main language used on your computer, you can add new language support options from within your Windows operating system. However, you may need to have your Windows installation CD ready if the set up files are not already in your computer.

7. Other considerations

After the first 5 considerations, other considerations are optional. Example,
- whether to have a DVD multi-format writer drive or a CDRW-DVD ROM Combo drive
- whether to have two USB or four USB ports
- whether to have any firewire ports
- whether to have your USB ports available in front, at the side or behind, etc.

I was in the same predicament. I have a 2 and half year old Compaq Presario 2500 that’s seen better days. I was thinking of giving it away, or putting it to sleep in favor of a newer laptop. It was my workhorse for the longest time, and had seen some serious abuse and usage. I was ready to put it to sleep and move on when I decided to refurbish, and upgrade it.

Just like I did, you may not have to get rid of that old laptop just yet. I’m going to show you how I breathed some some new life into my old laptop, and I did it for under $175. Consider this a perfect time to polish off your tech skills. I will show you how I upgraded my laptop, and how you can too.

Unlike a PC, there are only a few components that can be easily upgraded in a laptop. The main 2 are the hard drive, and the memory. If you were skillful enough, you could replace the motherboard, and if you knew how to solder, then you could possibly fiddle with the processor as well, but we’ll work under the assumption that this is beyond your knowledge.

You won’t need any fancy tools to upgrade your laptop. All you’ll really need is a jeweler’s screwdriver set which you can get for under $10 from any hobby store.

Before you begin handling any of the internal components, make sure your laptop is turned off, and that you remove the battery. There’s no sense in getting shocked. Also, make sure to get rid of any residual static electricity by touching the chassis before you dive in.

I went to my favorite online hardware store, for my upgrade purchasing. I go to that website because it’s loaded with every type of computer hardware under the sun, and they have the best deals I’ve found. I had to really focus on the task at hand because once there, I’m like a kid in a candy store.

The hard drive is relatively easy to get to and replace on most laptops. However, I still had to check my laptop’s user manual for hard drive removal instructions. Originally, my laptop had come with a 40GB hard drive, but I wanted to double that.

Next came the memory. Originally, my laptop came with a paltry 256MB of RAM. I wanted at least 1GB because my laptop had been moving glacially slow. I’m not sure how I dealt with it for all those years. Please note, that not all laptops can support a memory upgrade so you should make sure yours can before you buy anything.

You can go there too and see how much RAM your laptop can support. Fortunately, the Compaq Presario 2500 can support 1 GB so I went with two 512MB Corsair memory sticks, which I got from NewEgg for only $45.99 each.

Once I had the hard drive and the memory installed, I re-loaded the operating system, and all the drivers. The whole process from start to finish (after I had the components shipped to me) took about 45 minutes, and now I have a laptop that behaves like new but cost me only $172. 97. Considering a new laptop with equal components would have cost me between $700-$900, I think I did pretty good, and you will too. Just follow this simple guide and you can save yourself hundreds of dollars while extending the life of that old laptop of yours.

The Centrino technology that’s central to Intel’s newest laptop processors has wireless capability built in, and delivers commendably-long battery life. The thinnest laptops on the market are less than an inch thick and weigh just 2 to 5 pounds. To get these light, sleek models, however, you’ll have to pay a premium and make a few sacrifices.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE

Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq (now owned by HP), IBM, Sony, and Toshiba are the leading Windows laptop brands. Macintosh laptops are made by Apple. Laptops can be grouped into several basic configurations:

Budget models. These have slower processors and lower screen quality than others, but are suitable for routine office work and home software. Price range: $800 or less.

Workhorse models. These have faster processors and more built-in devices, so there’s less need for external attachments. They’re not lightweight or battery-efficient enough for frequent travelers. Price range: $1,000 and up.

Slim-and-light models. These are for travelers. They can be less than an inch thick and weigh as little as 2 or 3 pounds. They generally require an external drive to read DVDs or burn CDs. Price range: $1,500 and up.

Tablet-style. These sit in your hands like a clipboard and have handwriting-recognition software. Some convert to a “normal” laptop with a keyboard. Price range: $1,800 and up.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

A diskette drive is becoming a rarity in all computers. As an alternative, you can use a USB memory drive (about $20 and up), which fits on a keychain and holds as much data as numerous diskettes. Or you can save files on a writeable CD or camera memory card. Most laptops have slots that can read one or more types of memory cards.

Windows laptops generally have a 1.5- to 3.5-GHz processor. Pentium 4 processors have the higher speed ratings; the new Pentium M and Celeron M processors have a slower rated speed but actually perform on a par with other processors. Macintosh Power PC processors are measured on a different basis altogether. In short, the different types of processors make direct speed comparisons difficult. It doesn’t pay to try because any type of processor is likely to deliver all the speed you’ll need.

Laptops come with a 40- to 160-gigabyte hard drive and 256 megabytes or more of random access memory (RAM) and can be upgraded to 1 gigabyte or more.

Today’s laptops use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. In Consumer Reports tests, batteries provided 2 to 5 hours of continuous use when running office applications. (Laptops go into sleep mode when used intermittently, extending the time between charges.) You can extend battery life somewhat by dimming the display as you work and by removing PC cards and turning off wireless devices when they aren’t needed. Playing a DVD movie uses more battery power than usual, but any laptop should be able to play a movie through to the end.

A laptop’s keyboard can be quite different from that of a desktop computer. The keys themselves may be full-sized (generally only lightweight models pare them down), but they may not feel as solid. Some laptops have extra buttons to expedite your access to e-mail or a Web browser or to control DVD playback. You can attach an external keyboard, which you may find easier to use.

A 14- to 15-inch display, measured diagonally, should suit most people. A few larger models have a 16- or 17-inch display. A resolution of 1,400×1,050 (SXGA+) pixels (picture elements) or more is better than 1,024×768 (XGA) for viewing the fine detail in photographs or video, but may shrink objects on the screen. You can use settings in Windows to make them larger. Many models are now offered with a display that has a “glossy” surface instead of a dull one. Those look better in bright ambient light, as long as you avoid direct reflections.

Most laptops use a small touch-sensitive pad in place of a mouse–you slide your finger across the pad to move the cursor. You can also program the pad to respond to a “tap” as a “click,” or to scroll as you sweep your index finger along the pad’s right edge. An alternative pointing system uses a pencil-eraser-sized joystick in the middle of the keyboard. You can attach an external mouse or trackball if you prefer.

Laptops include at least one PC-card slot for expansion. You might add a wireless network card or a digital-camera memory-card reader, for example, if those are not built in. Many laptops offer a connection for a docking station, a $100 or $200 base that makes it easy to connect an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, or phone line. Most laptops let you attach these devices anyway, without the docking station. At least two USB ports, for easy hookup of, say, a printer, digital camera, or scanner, is standard. A wired network (Ethernet) port is common, as is a FireWire port for digital-video transfer. Many models have a standard or optional internal wireless-network (”Wi-Fi”) adapter. The infrared port found on a few models can be used to synchronize data wirelessly between the computer and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

Laptops typically come with less software than desktop computers, although almost all are bundled with a basic home-office suite (such as Microsoft Works) and a personal-finance program. The small speakers built into laptops often sound tinny, with little bass. Headphones or external speakers deliver much better sound.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Decide if a laptop is right for you. If you’re on a very tight budget and aren’t cramped for space, a desktop computer may still be OK. Otherwise, consider a laptop.

Windows vs. Macintosh. Many people choose Windows because it’s what they’ve always used. Apple’s iBook will suit you if you’re interested in photo editing, music, video, and other multimedia applications. Apple computers are also less susceptible to most viruses and spyware than Windows-based computers. The Apple PowerBook is relatively expensive as laptops go, however.

Buy à la carte. Dell and Gateway pioneered the notion that every computer can be tailored to an individual buyer’s needs, much like choosing the options for a car. This configure-to-order model is now common practice for laptops as well as desktops.

You can also purchase a preconfigured computer off the shelf. (You can do the same online if you opt for the default choices of equipment the manufacturer offers.) That’s fine if you don’t have very strict requirements for how a laptop is outfitted or if you want to take advantage of an attractive sale.

Configure-to-order menus show you all the options and let you see how a change in one affects the overall price. You may decide to use a less-expensive processor, for example, but spend more for wireless capability or better graphics. Configure-to-order will often give you choices you won’t get if you buy off the shelf. And configure-to-order means less chance of overlooking important details.

Downplay the processor speed. Speed is no longer the be-all of personal computers. For years, processors have delivered all the speed most people need. That’s still very much the case. Spend the money on more memory instead. A Pentium 4 processor with a speed of 2.4 GHz and a Pentium M at 1.4 GHz earned the same speed score in our tests. The different types of chips now on the market make direct speed comparisons difficult.

Look closely at warranties and insurance. Get the longest manufacturer’s warranty you can afford; many offer one or two years above the basic one-year warranty, for a price. If you intend to travel a lot, buy screen insurance from the manufacturer. If you take full advantage of the manufacturer’s warranty and insurance, you won’t need an extended warranty from the retailer.

Now the Qosmio brand was always a top-rated line within Toshiba - very popular with critics and users alike. If you can look beyond all the Toshiba & Third Party software they load these machines up with at the factory, Toshiba makes some half decent laptops.

However, in recent years, Qosmio which means “my personal universe” seems to have been slipping into a Black Hole with just one model listed on Toshiba’s main product page. Not only is Toshiba releasing the Qosmio X305 but also the 15.4-inch screen Qosmio F50 and the 18.4-inch Qosmio G50 which will be the world’s first to carry the Cell-based SpursEngine, re-christened by Toshiba as the Quad Core HD processor. The 18.4-inch diagonal widescreen with TruBrite high-definition display will sport a true 16:9 aspect ratio - serious filmmakers take note.

Will these laptops and their new specs introduce a whole new level to gaming laptops? The jury is still out but Toshiba is introducing a few new things with these laptops, especially with the X305. This monster of a machine will sport a whopping 1 Gig of graphics processing power via the new dual-GPU card NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GX2.

(Side Note: some experts argue this is the wrong way to go - instead of a multi-GPU, they argue for keeping the single GPU since it can have advantages for faster applications and better power consumption with less heat release. This 1GB GPU is the same as putting two 512MB cards together thru SLI technology, isn’t it?)

The Qosmio X305 will also come equipped with a 3GHz dual-core Intel processor and dual 200GB, 7200rpm hard drives, as well as 4 Gigs of cutting-edge DDR3 RAM. This machine will also sport a 17-inch display, HDMI-out and S/PDIF audio - running HD quality films from a dedicated processor which should rival Blu-ray. In addition, it will carry four Harmon Kardon speakers with a built-in sub-woofer.

What will be interesting to watch is the whole “Blu-ray vs HD-DVD” debate that seemed to have been settled. Beta anyone? However, if Toshiba can turn/upgrade existing DVDs into a higher quality by this new transcoding/upscaling technology, the fall-out could be worth watching.

Another thing to watch is the “gesture-based controls with your hands” which is enabled by the chip found in PS3s. Look what Wii did to gaming? And the GPS Chipset adds another twist for a laptop, doesn’t it?

Compare “Apples to Apples”

Impressive as those Qosmio X305’s specs are, the high end gaming laptop market is becoming a little crowded. You have to compare “apples to apples” when buying a gaming rig. It will have to be compared with such high end gaming laptops as the Rock’s Xtreme SL8 which sports mind numbing graphics powered by twin NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTX 512MB (DX10) running SLi and Quad core Intel processors with up to 4GB DDR2 RAM (up to 800MHz). Which also comes
equipped with Hi-res 17″ WUXGA X-Glass (1920×1200) and the option of a Blu-ray or HD DVD Optical Drive.

And you can’t talk about gaming laptops without mentioning Alienware. One of their newest machines Area-51 m17x has similar specs by offering two NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTX, (dual GPU SLI configuration) which gives you the 1GB of dedicated memory and DirectX 10 graphics. The Area-51 m17x is powered by Intel Core 2 Extreme at 2.8GHz and with up to 4GB of 667MHz DDR2 Memory.

Remember The Clevo!

Plus, you can’t really compare gaming laptops without mentioning Clevo which is the well-respected if not well-known OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) of some pretty good high-end gaming laptops. Brand-name laptop vendors like the ones mentioned above…Alienware, Rock, Hypersonic, Voodoo… all use Clevo
components.

This Taiwanese company has just released some new machines - the 15-inch M860TU and 17-inch M570TU the which offer WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolutions. The M570TU also sports the “Montevina” Centrino 2 mobile platform. This model also has a 2 megapixel webcam, Blu-ray drive, TV Tuner, Fingerprint reader, e-SATA and HDMI ports. Sound familiar?

All of these models and laptop manufacturers will no doubt give Toshiba some competition. Keep in mind, the competition is stiff when you consider Dell has Alienware, HP has Voodoo…so you really have some marketing power as well as gaming power behind these high-end gaming laptops.

The Qosmio X305 will probably bring all these nice features up a notch and offer a superior gaming laptop. The release date for this gaming monster is said to be around July 14 of this year. No word on the price yet but this one could be worth waiting for.

Since gaming laptops are usually overpriced for what you get; will Toshiba introduce these new laptops at a reasonable price so that the ordinary person, not necessarily die-hard gamers, can also enjoy all this new mobile technology.

Before you add more Dell computer memory, you need to know how much your system already has. To find out, right-click on the “My Computer” icon on your desktop, then select “Properties” to get a dialog showing system information including the amount of memory. Let’s assume it shows 512 MB, which means you have 512 megabytes (millions of bytes) of computer memory.

The next thing you need is the number of modules or “sticks” of memory in the computer. Computers generally come with parts lists detailing components inside the computer. If you saved this information, it should show the number and size of modules. If not then turn off the computer, remove the cover and count the memory sticks.

What Type of Dell Memory Do You Need?

The wrong type of Dell computer memory won’t fit in the memory slots and will be useless. Even if it does physically fit, memory comes in different speeds and putting slow memory on a fast motherboard puts serious brakes on system performance.

If available, computer manuals or parts lists are a good place to find this information. Most memory vendors allow you to look up your computer model (such as Dell Vostro 200) to find the right memory. Or try Dell’s website and use your model number or service tag to find the information needed.
A cryptic line such as “800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM DIMM” can be easily decoded once you know what each piece of the code reveals so that you can purchase the right memory. The first set of numbers tells the memory speed (800 MHz), the second set describes the technology (DDR2 SDRAM), and the third set the form factor (DIMM).

How Much Can You Take?

Your computer has slots, generally 2-4, for memory. Each slot can take a certain maximum capacity. A slot taking 512 MB accepts a smaller stick (256 MB) but not a larger one (1024 MB or 1 GB). The number and capacity of slots can be found at the same places as type of memory.

For example, say you have a Dell Dimension 3000. You look it up and find it has 2 slots, each taking a 1 GB stick. You know it has 512 MB of memory and upon looking inside you see that one slot is filled and one slot is empty. You could buy a 1 GB memory stick for the empty slot and increase your memory to 1.5 GB. If you wanted to go to the maximum memory of 2 GB, you would have to discard the existing 512 MB module and install two 1 GB modules.

Dell computer memory can seem confusing, but by narrowing down your selections by computer model you can quickly locate and purchase the memory you need to add lightning speed to your system.