One of the most common questions people have when buying a laptop or considering an upgrade is how much memory they need. This is an important question to consider, as having too little memory can slow down your computer and prevent it from running certain programs and applications.
First, it’s important to understand the difference between memory and storage. Storage is where data is stored long-term, such as on a hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage. This includes your operating system, programs, and personal files. Memory, on the other hand, refers to random access memory (RAM), which is temporary and only available when the computer is turned on.
RAM operates much faster than storage and is essential for your computer’s performance. Think of it as the lungs of your system, exchanging only the data that is immediately needed to function. It clears when the system is powered off and caches to storage or your hard drive in a pinch.
So, how much memory do you need? The answer depends on your use. For general office and productivity tasks like email and web browsing, eight gigabytes of RAM should be sufficient. If you’re into gaming or expect your system to perform like an athlete, you may need stronger lungs and 16 to 32 gigabytes or more of RAM. Programs like video and audio production, graphic design, and purpose-built workstations for engineers and audio and video professionals may require 64 gigabytes or more of RAM.
If you’re a power user and notice a slow down, adding more RAM will allow your system to breathe much easier and avoid bottlenecks. However, updating RAM on a laptop can be tricky, and for many people, it’s best to invest in a new laptop instead.
In summary, the amount of memory you need in your laptop depends on your use. If you’re only using your laptop for basic tasks, eight gigabytes of RAM should suffice. If you’re into gaming or more demanding applications, you may need more. Updating RAM can be tricky, so it’s best to leave it to an expert.