Is it worth it to void warranty to install 16GB RAM

I'm thinking about getting an Acer c-7 chromebook as my first non-mac computer, and I was wondering if it is worth it to void a 1 year warranty to install 16GB RAM on a computer that has 2GB installed? Please reply!

 

Hi Jake
its a tricky one. some laptops like clevo are user upgradable and wont invalidate the warranty if you upgrade ram/hardrive or open it to clean out the dust that builds up.
it was only mentioned a couple of weeks ago that MSI told a customer that they couldnt open the base even to clean out the vents so when it comes to Acer that i know nothing about then the safest thing is to contact their support to double check.

it sounds like some companys have stickers over the ram or hard drive and if these seals are broken then they could void the warranty. if the screws on the base do not have any white paint on them then you should be able to take the base off to check if the ram has these seals. if it doesnt then just change them and if ever has to go back for repair put the original ram back in.

 

I don't think you'll benefit from 16gb of ram when you're using chrome os. Chromebooks are actually made for very light tasks like browsing the web and a little text editing. I think those tasks won't ever use more than 4gb. Or are you planning to install linux on there somehow?

 

Do Chromebooks even have RAM slots? I thought they were all soldered on the board?

 

That could very well be indeed. Would be logical, because there is no way that chrome os can use more than 4 gigs of ram.

 

RAM goes great with EVERYTHING!


See:
AnandTech - Acer C7 Chromebook Review


Jason Inofuentes said (about doubling the RAM from 2GB to 4GB):

16GB RAM on Acer C7 (with Ubuntu) fully recommended!


CPU+RAM= Work done


Don't listen to the people that will tell you that what a system ships with is enough (it is enough to get you to buy a new system sooner, is all).

 

Well if you plan on using ubuntu than that's a whole different story than with chrome os and I agree in that case.

 

Even better: Win8x64 - Chrome O/S is just a web browser and even that needs more than 2GB RAM as pointed out in the link I gave originally.

 

More than 2 yes, but 16 for browsing?

 

With Chrome (a RAM hog) 16GB RAM isn't over the top if you have many windows and tabs open - RAM is cheap and the rewards (in responsiveness) are great - even if you're only multi-tasking browser tabs.

 

My sister does a lot of photo editing on her desktop as she is a graphics designer and her multiple photoshop, indesign, illustrator and chrome windows never exceed 8gb. I really doubt you can reach 16gb with only a browser installed on a computer without any other os like windows or programs. If you open a whole lot of full hd youtube video tabs maybe but who does that?

 

Not sure what you're saying, but I could open up a single (RAW) image and exceed 32GB RAM usage - a 'picture' is not a standard usage of measurement - the size, pixel depth and the number of layers (adjustments and otherwise) influence the amount of RAM used, not to mention which color space I'm editing in.

Also don't forget that if she only has 8GB RAM installed - of course she will never use more than 8GB RAM - physically impossible.

And yes; a browser can use 16GB RAM - it's just a program after all.

 

Haha of course I know she can't use more than 8gb of ram when she only has 8. I mean that she has eight and her computer never is slowing down. I know that it's very
subjective and not really a good argument, sorry for that.

I really doubt you can open a RAW file or do intensive video/photo editing on chrome os. And even if you could, your chromebook cpu will struggle to keep up way before your 16 gigs of ram will.

 

This depends on the consumer protection laws in the specific countries.

The US has the Moss-Maguson Warranty Act to protect consumers from this very type of thing.

Breaking the seal and opening the bottom does not and cannot in itself void the notebooks warranty.

The act requires the companies to show that the consumer damaged the product by doing what they did.It also states that damaging on part only void the warranty on that part.

Originally meant to cover warranties on automobiles but has been upheld in courts to cover all products.

 

really, wow! thanks for pointing that out.
i will try and hunt down the member who had these problems.
i did actually ask xoticpc as they sell them and they said for the ram/hd/cleaning it was ok as long as the seals on the cpu/gpu werent broken it was ok with their warranty.