How hard is it to upgrade the RAM in an M1530?

First time Dell notebook user here (I've had Dell desktops before but have mainly stuck with Sony for my notebooks). I'm planning to get an M1530 shortly but would like to avoid paying $250 to upgrade the RAM from 1GB to 3GB. My questions are:

1. Apparently the M1530 uses dual channel memory (my Dell desktop did the same). Does this mean that if I get 1GB it will come in 2x512MB sticks? And if so, will upgrading it to 3GB mean that I have to buy 2x1.5GB sticks and get rid of the 2x512MB sticks? I would have to calculate the cost impact of this.

2. How much of a PITA is it to install the memory? With my VAIO, it was extremely fiddly to upgrade it - one memory bank is easily accessible under the notebook, but the other one was under the keyboard and required a lot of frigging around with a tiny screwdriver to remove first the casing, then the keyboard (virtue of my VAIO's annoying design).

Is it worth trying to save some $$ by upgrading memory myself (I can get 2x2GB of dual channel Corsair RAM for $85 at Newegg.com, vs spending $250 to upgrade from 1GB to 3GB via Dell) or am I better off just spending the money?

 

its not hard at all. On the dell site they show you step by step how to open up the 1530 and do it.

 

Nice - I'll be sure to check that out. Any comments on Q1 (the dual channel issue). If I upgrade from 1GB to 3GB, will I have to eBay the 2x512MB that (I think) the 1GB will come as and replace it with 2x1.5GB sticks?

 

if u get 1gb it will come in 512sticks but u can buy the new one in a match u want ie. 1gb and 2gb or anyother match. dual channel doesnt make much of a difference, upgrading is extremly easy. there is even a video on youtube showing you how to do it

 

Just have a look at this http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsM1530/en/SM/memory.htm#wp1180190

 

There are no 1.5GB DIMMs/sticks.

My recommendation is to keep the 1GB of memory you get so that you can put it back in the computer in case something fails and they try to blame it on non-Dell certified memory.

For you to go to 3GB of memory, you would have to buy 1x2GB and 1x1GB. My suggestion is just to buy 2x2GB - it's pretty cheap. Personally, I notice the difference on computers between 2GB and the 3.5GB that Vista will recognize. It's especially nice for gaming. For example, in multiplayer first person shooters, you often play the same levels. I'm guessing that Vista loads those levels in the memory, and because I've got so much, it just keeps them there so when we change back to that level it loads much faster than off the HDD.

 

I thought so too - but isn't dual channel where you need to have 2 sticks of the same type/amount of RAM for each slot? How then can you go 1x2GB and 1x1GB? Unless I have the dual channel definition wrong?

 

It's only one of the rams that are easy to replace or are both easy accessible?

 

is this a good choice? http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3404049&CatId=2261

I read somewhere that the m1530's default vista is 32bit and won't be able to detect 4 gigs of memory? Is that the truth?

Also, the dell build memory is ddr2 667 mhz. I suppose ddr2 800 mhz is better?

 

This is why I would prefer to get the memory off Dell at the start - but $500 for 4GB! They've gotta be joking.

 

That's PC memory. Laptop or 'Sodimm' memory is completely different. it's smaller.

Try: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27441&vpn=D2N667C-2G&manufacture=Buffalo&promoid=1019

or

Try: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3164196&CatId=2268

P.S. I vouch for NCIX. they have great prices. i shop there all the time. both in person and order online. The NCIX buffalo is the better choice for your money. grabbing two of those will do great. I have one and plan on getting another soon. The price is extremely good. I linked to one from TigerDirect.ca as well. it's hard to navigate there site so i'm not sure if that's the best deal. Just remember to look for Sodimm DDR2 667MHz. Either Pc5300 or PC5400.

I think the laptop will only run at 667mhz. so spending more for the 800mhz is pointless because i think the laptop will only allow it to run at a max of 667 anyway.

Yes, 32-bit vista by default cannot see 4GB's of ram. however, it will see 3.5GB's of ram. you will only lose that .5 so it's still worth getting 4GB's
There are ways around it. There are some hacks and stuff people can do to get certain 32-bit laptops to see 4GB's. but it's usually not worth the hassle for the extra .5, it also rarely works.

 

Is Buffalo a good brand or should I stick with Corsair or Kingston?