How much RAM do you need in a laptop? Here’s how to figure it out

Determining the specs for a new laptop (or a laptop computer improve) could be a delicate balancing act. You wish to spend sufficient so that you received’t be depressing sooner or later, however not a lot that you simply don’t make use of all of the {hardware} you get.

Memory (or RAM) is the proper instance of this. Your PC makes use of RAM to carry knowledge briefly: When you’re opening purposes, engaged on giant recordsdata in Photoshop, and even juggling dozens and dozens of browser tabs, that knowledge is being saved within the system reminiscence, not in your SSD or HDD. The extra memory-intensive duties you do, the extra RAM it’s best to have. It’ll maintain your laptop feeling quick and responsive.

Many laptop computer buyers know this, however not precisely how a lot to get. So we’ve damaged down what to anticipate from widespread RAM configurations, plus some suggestions on the finish for buy methods.

Further studying: The best laptops we’ve tested

Is 2GB of RAM good for a laptop computer?

For trendy Windows computer systems, 2GB of RAM will really feel gradual. You received’t be capable to run many applications concurrently, a lot much less have various browser tabs open at one time. These days, most Windows laptops include 4GB because the baseline configuration, and for good purpose.

(As for Apple laptops, they’ve lengthy left even 4GB RAM behind as a baseline.)

If for some purpose you encounter a laptop computer with solely 2GB RAM—maybe an older finances mannequin being bought secondhand—it’s solely worthwhile in the event you can instantly improve it to 4GB RAM or extra. That means the laptop computer ought to have user-accessible SODIMM slots, ideally with one unpopulated so you’ll be able to instantly drop in one other module.

For Chromebooks, 2GB of RAM will nonetheless restrict the variety of browser tabs you’ll be able to have open, however that quantity is habitable. We advocate you purchase a mannequin with expandable reminiscence (user-accessible SODIMM slots) so you’ll be able to improve down the street.

Is 4GB RAM sufficient for a laptop computer?

Budget buyers can begin with 4GB of RAM for a Windows laptop computer. Combined with an SSD for storage, you’ll get a responsive PC that handles the fundamentals easily—e.g., having a number of low-intensity applications plus a handful of browser tabs open all on the similar. When potential, search for laptop computer fashions which have user-accessible RAM that may be upgraded. You can begin with 4GB as your finances configuration then add extra reminiscence later as wanted.

Chromebooks with 4GB RAM ought to deal with an honest variety of browser tabs simply, so when confronted with the selection of extra reminiscence or a sooner storage drive (i.e., an SSD as an alternative of eMMC storage), decide the sooner storage drive. It’ll make the ChromeOS expertise smoother general.

How a lot is 4GB of reminiscence on a laptop computer?

A laptop computer with simply 4GB of reminiscence ought to price below $300 in at present’s pricing. The Acer Aspire 3, our favorite laptop under $500, comes with 8GB of reminiscence regardless of costing simply $260.

Is 8GB RAM good in a laptop computer?

Most individuals with a average finances ($400 or extra) for a laptop computer ought to intention for a minimum of 8GB RAM. We typically advocate this quantity of reminiscence for most individuals doing workplace work and different fundamental duties, in addition to players—particularly in the event you’re taking a look at a mannequin with soldered RAM and may’t improve it later. You ought to have sufficient capability to comfortably see you thru the machine’s lifetime.

As for Chromebooks, you usually solely see 8GB RAM on the extra luxe fashions. It’s not strictly mandatory, however it would contribute to a extremely responsive expertise general, as the opposite parts in such programs are typically on par with related Windows laptops. The similar applies for fashions with 16GB RAM, too.

Do I would like 16GB RAM in a laptop computer?

For individuals doing workplace work or gaming, 16GB of reminiscence could be a hedge towards future wants. Maybe you create easy spreadsheets in Excel now, however later you’ll be engaged on complicated paperwork overflowing with knowledge. Or maybe you strictly play video games in the intervening time, placing many of the load in your discrete GPU’s VRAM, however later may additionally juggle different applications and many browser tabs within the background. In laptops the place you’ll be able to’t later improve the reminiscence, you’ll be extra future-proofed.

However, for content material creators (and individuals who maintain dozens and dozens of tabs open in a number of browsers) 16GB is a beginning place. Renders can gobble up reminiscence, for instance. If you anticipate that you could possibly want extra RAM down the street, search for laptop computer fashions that help user-serviced upgrades.

Further studying: The best gaming laptops we’ve tested

32GB and up

People contemplating greater than 16GB of RAM must be actively utilizing applications identified for gobbling up system reminiscence or requiring it for optimum efficiency—for instance, video editors engaged on time-sensitive tasks. Many professionals would typically fairly pay extra money if it cuts down on the time it takes to complete duties.

But what about high-end players, you ask? While some top-of-the-line gaming laptops include 32GB of reminiscence, that quantity has little to do with gaming wants. The cynical may name it a technique to justify costly configurations; or you could possibly see it because the laptop computer maker maximizing the specs throughout the board to create a bleeding-edge vibe.

RAM configuration methods

New laptops

When determining how a lot RAM to buy for a brand new laptop computer, discover out if the mannequin(s) you’re taking a look at enable person upgrades. Laptops can include soldered reminiscence, which suggests it’s mounted to the motherboard and may’t be upgraded, or they’ll depend on SODIMMs, which will be inserted and eliminated just like desktop RAM.

If a laptop computer’s reminiscence is soldered on, select an quantity that you simply assume will see you thru the machine’s lifetime. For instance, in the event you anticipate doing extra RAM-intensive duties sooner or later, pony up for 16GB now. It will likely be cheaper than changing your laptop computer before anticipated.

If a laptop computer’s reminiscence is person upgradable, you’ll be able to hedge by selecting the bottom quantity of RAM wanted to your present workloads, and ready so as to add extra. For instance, you can begin off with 4GB RAM in a finances laptop computer then later improve to 8GB, saving you some cash on the outset.

One be aware for players: If you run video games on a laptop computer that depends solely on built-in graphics for output (e.g., Intel’s UHD or Iris Xe graphics, or AMD Radeon Graphics), it’s possible you’ll wish to improve its quantity of system reminiscence. Integrated graphics use RAM for storing picture knowledge from video games as you play, which can scale back the quantity obtainable to different applications like net browsers or seize software program.

Check out our roundups of the best laptops and best gaming laptops for skilled suggestions throughout all worth ranges.

Laptop upgrades

For older laptops able to RAM upgrades, first decide how a lot RAM is already in your system. If the quantity matches your use case (as described above), contemplate a distinct improve as an alternative—for instance, in case your system has a tough disk drive as an alternative of an SSD, change that out first earlier than including extra RAM.

If you assume you’ll be able to profit from extra RAM, confirm first what SODIMMs are already put in. Is it a single stick? You should buy a second one with matching specs and pop it in for each a capability bump and a sooner dual-channel configuration. If each slots are already populated, it’s best to then purchase a bigger capability set to switch each sticks. Follow our guide on upgrading RAM to make this course of plus set up a breeze.