No 4gb ram option for X200? (cept with Vista Business 64)

Why is it that the only way to get 4gb of ram on the X200 is when you select Vista Business 64?

I intend to install Linux anyway, so I'd rather not pay too much for my Vista license... but I'd like 4gb of ram too.

Thoughts?

Do I have to call to get this ordered?

 

Most of the people here will say, buy the cheapest RAM option available, and then go buy the RAM yourself. It'll be 50% cheaper. Installation is easy.

 

Because 32-bit Windows will only able to use 3.0 to 3.5 GB.

Anyway, it's cheaper to get your own RAM afterward.

 

32 bits won't be able to utilize full 4GB RAM.

 

Like stewie said. Only 64bit systems will be able to extract the full power of 4Gb of RAM. And in the current computing world, 2Gb is plenty enough.

So, I suggest buying a laptop with a minimum RAM, and getting any Vista that's not Home Basic. Then buy 3rd party RAM yourself.

 

Ok, good call. Thanks for the tip about ram.

I intended to install Ubuntu and Arch Linux (a stripped down Arch system for fast boots when I only need to check email or something... can get boot time down under 30 seconds on a good system. ) 64bit versions.

I hear you can get the 64bit version of Vista for a nominal cost if you already have a 32bit license. Is this true?

I suppose I'll get home premium or business, then. Thoughts on that? This is primarily a mobile development machine, as I'm a software engineer.

Edit: Are there any other components that are worthwhile upgrading after the fact like the ram?

Edit2: I'm not so sure where to find ram that's cheaper. Newegg has 2x2gb ram for 180... but it costs 183 to upgrade to 4gb on Lenovo's site. I suppose I could sell the 1gb one that comes with it to recoup some money, but it doesn't seem to be a remarkable savings.

Thoughts?

 

It uses DDR3 which is incredibly expensive. So it is actually not cheaper to buy it yourself at the moment. Spend the extra $70 with lenovo.

 

Hi,

It is technically possible to use 4gb of RAM on a 32bit system. Linux with PAE (Physical Address Extension) and also Windows 2003 Server is capable of doing so (Enterprise and Datacenter editions, as far as I recall).

Also, from what I see in my local eshop DDR3 is not THAT expensive - 52 EUR for 1GB and 90 EUR for 2GB (both Kingston 1066MHz non-EEC). It's more than DDRII (maybe even twice as much) but I wouldn't call it "terribly" expensive.

Just my two cents.

 

Hope this helps.