Laptops are indispensable devices at this time. It’s not easy to sustain without them. The performance and capabilities of laptops have only gotten better each year. With all this talk about their features, one that always gets debated is RAM. Users will argue over the ideal amount of RAM a laptop should have, but is it that big of a deal?
There have been myths going around saying 8GB of RAM laptops are outdated and insufficient for modern computing needs, and things like that. Are those myths true? And are 8GB RAM laptops still relevant in 2024?
Myth 1: More RAM Equals a Faster PC:
RAM does enable better multitasking and switching between applications, but adding more RAM does not guarantee a faster speed.
That is so because the speed and performance of a laptop depend on various factors, including the CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and software optimization.
Having more RAM enables users to open and run multiple applications simultaneously without having a significant impact on performance. For day-to-day tasks such as web browsing, email checking, and multimedia consumption, an 8 GB RAM laptop is sufficient.
Myth 2: More RAM Solves All PC Problems:
Another myth is that increasing the RAM solves all PC problems. Adding more RAM can help improve overall performance, but it is not a versatile solution to solve every issue.
If you have a 32-bit system supporting Windows 10 and 4GB of RAM (maximum), upgrading to laptops with 8GB RAM or higher will not make any sense. In such cases, upgrading to a 64-bit architecture is the solution, not a RAM upgrade.
You must understand that RAM works along with other components of the computer system, so upgrading RAM alone may not help you address underlying hardware or software limitations.
Myth 3: Large RAM Matters the Most:
Contrary to what most people believe, the size of RAM is not the only yard scale to measure performance. RAM has various clock speeds and frequencies that have an overall efficiency. Two RAM modules with different sizes can have different frequencies and higher frequencies often result in better performance.
In short, it’s not the quantity but the quality of RAM that matters. If you plan to upgrade RAM, consider both the size and frequency of the RAM. It will help you ensure optimal performance.
Myth 4: You Can Download RAM:
The myth has been around since 2004, when, in a forum, an Apple user asked if it’s possible to download more RAM for their slowing computer. Although it was debunked almost instantly, the myth persisted for years.
RAM isn’t an application that one can download from the internet. It’s a physical hardware component. Although virtual memory or page files can serve as a software-based alternative to physical RAM, allowing for more efficient memory management, they aren’t a replacement for physical RAM and have limitations.
How much RAM do you need?
That is indeed the question. The amount of RAM required for a laptop depends on the user’s needs and the tasks they perform on their laptop. For example, if a user only uses their laptop for basic tasks such as web browsing and email, then 4GB of RAM should be sufficient. However, if a user uses their laptop for more demanding tasks, such as gaming or video editing, then they may need 8GB or more of RAM. It is important to choose a laptop with enough RAM to meet your needs, as having too little RAM can cause your laptop to run slowly and crash.
Here are some tips for choosing the right amount of RAM for your laptop:
- Consider the types of tasks you will be using your laptop for.
- Check the system requirements of the software you will be using.
- Read reviews of laptops to see what other users have said about the amount of RAM they have.
- Compare prices of laptops with different amounts of RAM.
- Choose a laptop with enough RAM to meet your needs and budget.
Here is a simple rule to help you decide on the amount of RAM for your laptop.
4GB of RAM or less: generally not recommended.
- You are budget-conscious.
- You want to perform basic tasks like web browsing and using Microsoft Office applications.
- You don’t expect fast performance or more functionality from your device.
4GB to 8GB RAM: It’s a basic requirement.
- You want to run everyday computer programs, browse the internet, and play basic games.
- You want a good balance of cost and performance for everyday computing tasks.
8GB to 16GB of RAM: ideal for most modern laptops
- You want to multitask, run demanding applications, and play mid-range games.
- You want to ensure productivity.
16GB of RAM or More: Ideal for power users or specific requirements.
- You want to run resource-intensive applications like video editing software, 3D modeling, or high-end gaming.
- You want to accomplish complex tasks that require more memory.
How to Check Your RAM?
Follow the steps below to check the amount of RAM on your laptop:
Windows 10 and 8:
- Click on the Start button
- Type RAM and select the View RAM info option.
- Look for the output of installed memory (RAM) to find the RAM information.
Windows XP and 7:
- Right-click on Computer from the Start menu or Desktop
- Select Properties or press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to open the Task Manager.
- Click on the Performance tab
- Click on the memory tab. It will show detailed information about your RAM
Variants of RAM:
Two types of RAM are available in the market, namely
- Dynamic RAM (DRAM): You need to refresh this RAM constantly to retain stored information. Also, it is slower and less expensive than static RAM. Hence, it is suitable only for general-purpose usage.
- Static RAM (SRAM): It can retain stored information until the power supply is on. It is faster and more expensive than dynamic RAM, making it suitable for cache memory and high-performance computing applications.
Conclusion
Adding more RAM may not help you speed up your PC, and neither will the size of RAM improve its performance. So, choose the laptop with adequate RAM based on your needs. If your work involves a little bit of multitasking, a laptop with 8GB RAM would be ideal.
