RAM (Random Access Memory), also commonly referred to as “memory” or “systems memory”, is one of the most sought after specifications by first-time laptop buyers or users who would like to upgrade to newer devices. More often, buyers are often misguided into believing that the more RAM a laptop has, the more useful the computer. Thus incurring extra costs for RAM that they do not need. While it is true that a computer with more RAM is noticeably faster, this is only possible up to a particular scope. Therefore, as a buyer, your goal should be to have the right amount of RAM for all the task you will handle. Unravelled in the subsequent paragraphs are pointers to landing the best RAM.
What is Random Access Memory?
RAM is the high-speed part of a computer that temporarily stores software and files currently being used. The short-term memory stores readable data that are actively and quickly accessed by a computer. To better understand the RAM, consider how the papers you are proactively working on are usually placed on your desk whereas those that currently do not need your attention get stored in the drawers. Putting it into context, a laptop’s RAM can be likened to the top of a desk, where files in need of one’s urgent attention are placed for fast and seamless accessibility. On the other hand, the drawers can be linked to a laptop’s permanent storage component, such as the HDD (hard drive) or SSD (solid-state drive). Software and files in the Random Access Memories are usually loaded from permanent storage components and are removed from the RAM when the applications or files are closed.
There is no one-size fit for all RAM solution
The amount of RAM your laptop needs al boils down to the kinds of tasks you perform and the amount of data storage demanded by programs leveraged to execute those particular tasks. For instance, if your activities are limited to basic browsing, checking emails, editing word documents and spreadsheets, listening to music, and watching videos. Then a 4GB RAM laptop will serve you well. Nevertheless, opening many programs on a 4GB RAM laptop would render the device slow. Furthermore, a laptop powered by a 32-Bit OS (Operating System) does not require a RAM beyond 4GB since it would not be able to access the extra memory.
On a different note, an 8GB RAM laptop is suitable for some rigorous photo editing tasks, and decent gaming performance. Generally, this amount of memory is considered the bare minimum and ideal for someone in need of a faster system with minimum frustrations. The advantage of having an 8GB RAM laptop is that you can do more than basic activities such as browning the internet.
If you are running several heavy applications, then the least you should consider are laptops with 16GB RAM. For instance, some applications, such as CAD (computer-aided-design) solutions, and large games, consume a significant amount of RAM. If you are using AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, advanced video editors such as Adobe Premiere, or a hardcore gamer, invest in a laptop with at least 16 GB of memory. The same case applies to users leveraging tools or running various virtual machines at the same time. A laptop with more than 16GB of memory is capable of performing anything. Such a device profers excellent performance in running multiple virtual machines or resource-heavy applications simultaneously.
How does RAM affect my laptops performance?
The RAM affects a laptop in two ways: the amount of memory the computer has and its speed. For instance, a computer with an SRAM (Static RAM) tends to be much faster than one with a DRAM (Dynamic RAM). This is because the former store’s data without constantly refreshing the stored data while the latter rapidly rewrite its contents. Notably, you do not have to worry so much about the SRAM as most laptops are configured with a DRAMs On a different note, most laptops are either configured with either a DDR2 (Double Data Rate 2), DDR3, or DDR4 memory. The latest DDR generation achieves greater bandwidth than its predecessors.
In summary, while shopping for a laptop, factoring in the tasks you mostly perform is the best approach to landing a good RAM. Notably, smooth performance for basic tasks is generally achieved with an 8GB RAM whereas heavy tasks require a 16GB RAM for seamless performance experiences. Nevertheless, remember to check several other critical factors that affect a laptop’s performance, including the CPU (Central Processing Unit), graphics card, and Storage.
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