The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Are two gigs of RAM enough for Vista??

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by MTHall51, Aug 10, 2008.

  1. MTHall51

    MTHall51 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    378
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Something I have noticed which surprises me, and hence the question, is the fact that although it is commone to see 3 - 4 gigs on a lot of mainstream machines, yet some only have two gigs. Since the systems I'm refer to are not bargain basement rigs it made me wonder why quite a few Asus come with just 2 gigs and some of the Sony Vaio models such as the VGN-CR320E which is on sale at Best Buy right now for $350.00 less than their normal price.

    Any ideas?? I plan to run either Vista Ultimate or Vista Business when I finally do get a laptop.
     
    MTHall51, Aug 10, 2008
    #1
  2. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,557
    Messages:
    6,682
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Yes 2gb is enough. I would compare 2gb in vista to 1gb in xp. While it works perfectly fine, more is better.
     
    nizzy1115, Aug 10, 2008
    #2
  3. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    7,101
    Messages:
    5,757
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I think MS recommends 1GB. Everyone says 2GB is a must. Many can't live with less than 3GB. 2GB should be fine for most people.
     
    powerpack, Aug 10, 2008
    #3
  4. mullenbooger

    mullenbooger Former New York Giant

    Reputations:
    298
    Messages:
    900
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    2gb should be enough depending what you do. If its just basic word processing, internet, etc, its more than enough as long as you dont have a ton of programs/windows open. To get it up to 3gb it'll only cost you like 30bucks later on to upgrade. I actually rather buy a laptop with a single 1gb stick and just upgrade on my own since its cheaper.
     
    mullenbooger, Aug 10, 2008
    #4
  5. MTHall51

    MTHall51 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    378
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    What I plan to do, unfortunately, is pretty much the same stuff I do with my desktop which includes mutliple open windows, multimedia apps, image processing, etc. + would like to be able to watch movies on the laptop, as well as some light intensity games (no Crysis).
     
    MTHall51, Aug 10, 2008
    #5
  6. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,133
    Messages:
    6,399
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    206
    I am fine with 2GB ram in Vista :)
    Though I can't play games....(which is mainly due to the GMA 950 :D)
     
    Andy, Aug 10, 2008
    #6
  7. AKAJohnDoe

    AKAJohnDoe Mime with Tourette's

    Reputations:
    1,163
    Messages:
    3,017
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Yes. 2GB is fine. In fact, much over 3GB is wasted with the 32 bit MS OS's.
     
    AKAJohnDoe, Aug 10, 2008
    #7