Memory purchase/upgrade strategy?

I read somewhere on this forum about buying minimum memory (512M) and then self-upgrading it to 3GM or 4GM. I am interested in this approach.

I am not sure

1. whether this approach will save lots of money
(Currently for T61, the saving is $495 for 3GM and $845 for 4GM)

2. The saving is worth the extra effort by myself. Easy to do it?

3. Where to buy the extra memory and whether the extra memory is good enough to match Thinkpad T61. Performance and other issues?

Your input is highly appreciated.

Cheers,
David

 

The T61 configurator has it set up so that you cannot get certain features with certain RAM combinations for some reason. So for example, at 512MB of RAM, you cannot get Intel Turbo Memory (which is pointless, since the less RAM you have the more you want Robson's...which atm doesn't really seem to even work, but anyway)...make sure you're willing to make that sacrifice if you do get 512MB of RAM. That said, to answer your other questions.

1. Yes you will save tons of money. You can get 4GB of RAM for $170 (see http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=121363). That's $675 saved.

2. Yep. Instructions directly from Lenovo: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-67764

3. See #1 above.

EDIT: If you get 1GB of RAM from Lenovo, it's only $55 more, but now you can set up the system with Intel Turbo Memory. You're still saving $620 in RAM if you upgrade it to 4GB yourself.

 

taelrak,

Thanks so much for your information!

-David

----------
p.s. what is this in your post?

Want: V1 SR refresh (or the following):
Glossy 15.4" Screen
Thinkpad-quality Build and Keyboard w/ Mg roll cage
1GB Robson
8600M GT/HD 2600 XT/8700M GT w/ GDDR3
54mm Expresscard Slot
Spill-proof keyboard, HDD drop protection
Also want but probably not getting: LED Backlights
Runner up 1: MBP
2: HP 8510p
3: Thinkpad T61p
4: Compal IFL90

 

Just a list of what I'm looking for - I figured my posts were so bland without a signature

The V1Js will be the SR refresh of the V1JP. It's a business laptop, so it's pretty sturdy, has a spill-proof keyboard, magnesium lid, etc...the durability of business machines. However, it also offers consumer and gaming specs for performance - a glossy screen, top of the line consumer graphics, etc.

The pre-SR V1Js had an ATI 1700 for a GPU, and the V1Js is probably going to come with a 8600M GT. To me, it's nearly the perfect business machine that I can still game on if I want to.

The Macbook Pro (MBP) is more consumer-oriented, without the business features, but with a bunch of other really nice specs (LED backlights!)

The HP 8510p is pretty much like a thinkpad but with an ATI HD 2600 (~8600M GS consumer graphics) instead of NVIDIA FX570M.

The thinkpad you know of.

And the CompalIFL is a decent consumer laptop with the 8600M GT with probably the best value-to-price ratio of any of the laptops listed here.

 

taelrak,

I have never done this before and all I read sounds too good for me.
So my understanding is that this approach is doable and cost-effective and will not have any bad effects such as bad performance, etc. Could you please confirm this?

BTW, since this approach is so good, there are many people (like us) actually doing this, right?

Best,
David

 

Well, I'm not actually buying a T61, but yes, when I get my MBP, I will be upgrading the RAM myself as opposed to dishing out the $750 for Apple to do it.

Not everyone does this...it's only the large companies that charge such a high premium for upgrading RAM - Dell, Lenovo, Apple, HP, etc.

If you check the smaller retailers, like the Asus retailers or Compal retailers here, they charge much less - xoticpc charges $255 to upgrade from 1GB to 4GB RAM, and $295 if you want to use a name brand like Corsair - that's cheaper than if you buy them yourself and install it in many cases (although you probably can find good deals that'll get you RAM for less than $255, like the deal in the link posted earlier). So for those, most people might as well just let the retailer do it for you.

But for machines from the big companies, it's by far the better deal to do it yourself - and RAM is by design the easiest hardware component to upgrade. That's why most companies will allow you to upgrade RAM without voiding their warranty (the HDD is 2nd easiest, and most, but not all, companies let you upgrade that without voiding warranty too).

That said, there are some basic things to watch out for ...other than accidentally snapping the stick in half

1. Don't cut off any pins. See FREN's signature for further details. The same applies to RAM.

2. Unplug everything, turn everything off, let the laptop cool.

3. Do this on a non-static surface. I.e. NOT over heavy carpeting. Don't even stand on carpet

4. Invest in a anti-static wrist strap. Or, ground yourself against metal before touching the computer's insides.

5. Don't do this near a magnet. Some people say, make sure your screwdriver isn't magnetic either. Who knows? Don't take the risk.

 

taelrak,

Thanks so so much for your detailed how-to. Reading your post and imagine myself doing this, I feel I would a computer maker. Another Dell?

Regards,
David

 

Nope. Never buying a Dell again if I can help it.
Got a Macbook Pro this time.

 

taelrak, sorry for misleading you. I did not mean buying a Dell. What I meant is a computer maker like Dell.

Have a great week!
-David

 

A single 2GB stick by Patriot - $99 shipped (Micron chips).

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5200767