Questions re memory upgrade

Some folks recommended config a lower memory and then buy discount extra memory separately to add by oneself. I'd like to ask some basic questions:

1. How easy/hard is it to add memory by oneself? I've never done it.

2. Let's say you have a T61. When you buy extra memory separately, what "Model, Type, Speed, Cas Latency" to choose? Do they matter at all? (Anything incompatible?)

3. Does more memory use more battery power? add heat? (very ignorant here )

4. Will adding memory void warranty?

Thanks

 

Adding memory, changing hard drive, changing OS will not void your warranty. If you change RAM your RAM will be warranteed by the manufacturer (usually lifetime warratnee).

Any 200-pin SO-DIMM DDR2 667mhz RAM will do just fine. Click here for: RAM Deals

Installation is fairly simple. Here are some videos that will make it easy for you:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/s...o&lndocid=MIGR-63959&velxr-layout=printLenovo

Good Luck!

 

Yeah, adding RAM is perhaps the easiest physical upgrade for any notebook, wih the exception of some ultra portables that require the keyboard to be removed etc....but that's not the case here.

As to brand, a lot of people have favorites, I like Crucial, Kingston, Corsair and a couple others.

 

Thank you so much for the prompt replies! In the video that stallen linked to, it mentioned "put it on an ESD-protected surface". What's "ESD-protected surface"? (I trust it's not Estimated Shipping Date )

Also, what about my Question #3?

 

Probably anti-static surface (don't do it on your carpet).

A single stick of RAM uses X volts. A 128MB stick will use the same voltage as a 512MB stick. So, no, it doesn't use more battery. However, if you're comparing using one stick as opposed to using two sticks, then obviously using one stick will save a little bit of power, but not much.

 

Question #3: I'm sure it does use a minuscule amount of more energy, but nothing that you'll notice in battery performance.

Not sure what ESD stand for. But the S" probably stands for static. Static electricity can fry the RAM. You just have to make sure that you touch something metal to remove any static electricity in your body before you touch the RAM. It is best not to do this while standing on a carpeted floor. Some people even use thin rubber/latex gloves (like hospital gloves) to prevent static electricity discharging into the RAM.

 

Make sure the metal object you're touching is grounded. Otherwise, elecricity will not flow out of your body. I usually just touch the screw head on wall outlets.

 

Thanks! It doesn't add heat to the laptop, though?

 

Maybe 1C? Your hard drive will be accessed less because you have more memory, which means the hard drive should run cooler. The overall temperature of your laptop should be even less.

 

ram runs HOT to the touch, but the amount of heat it will add to your case temperature is negligible.

snapping the ram in place is cake, the hardest part is taking off the wrist rest, which is pretty dam easy.

 

Not necessarilly the case.
I haven't tried to "feel" the laptop memory chips yet, but judging by the desktop memory, the most modules I've seen were running barely warm to the touch.
The only exception being the "high performance" modules emitting quite a bit of heat since they're running at higher speeds.

 

All notebook DDR2 SO-DIMMS memory modules are fully compatible.
Computer memory is commodity.
Buy on price and make sure it carries lifetime warranty, as the vast majority of them do.
Don't pay attention to branding. It doesn't matter anymore.

 

Actually on the T60-series you need to remove the keyboard to get at the 2nd RAM slot. But the ultraportable X60-series has both RAM slots easily available without having to remove the keyboard

 

Maybe but quite a few ppl have had issues with some other brands of DDR2 causing BSOD's and not running on thinkpads. I had one too.

 

SkiBunny, which "other brands"?

 

I had a Thinkpad that only worked with Kingston non-value RAM; the Value RAM gave me bsod.

 

Most memory brands will be compatible with ThinkPads. I assume you're referring to the T60 or T61. I haven't read or heard anyone having problems with the top brands like Crucial, Corsair, and Kingston, so stick to those brands and you should be fine.

 

No, not the T60 series, but for example, on T43 series, you need to remove the keyboard.

ESD stands for Electro Static Discarge

 

As it mentioned check RAM DEALS , they will work fine with Thinkpad

 

Branding plays absolutely no role.
I can't stress that enough.
How can they be different? Different brands utilize the exact same chips.

 

SkiBunny, you must be talking about the older models.
On my T60 both memory slots are accessible without any need to remove the keyboard.

 

I think it depends on what size screen you have. SkiBunny is referring to standard aspect T60's.

 

Have you tried other sticks beside those two?

 

My T60 is of the standard aspect.

 

Or maybe she was referring to widescreen aspect. LOL
I'm just giving her the benefit of the doubt because she works for IBM.

EDIT:

You own your T60, so you can't be wrong, but the Lenovo memory installation guide shows the palm rest needs to be removed.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-62825

So likely, different T60 styles (p, not p, widescreen, standard) have different ways of installing memory.

 

That guide is applicable to the T60/T60p without any mention of the screen aspect ratio.
I fail to see how the widescreen T60 would be any different?

 

A different chassis could have a different organization of things. We already know that the widescreen chassis has smaller battery space- a different memory location isn't surprising.