Toshiba deal on BF, L35-S2151, 512MB memory question???

Hi,
I got toshiba laptop L35-S2151 on BF at BestBuy with $249. According to the specification it should be 512MB physical memory, however when I run at home, from "myPC" property, it is only shown as 384MB RAM. Also using alt-ctl-del to bring "task manager" and select performance tab, it is indicated that "physical memory" is 390MB, I bring the laptop to BestBuy and ask technician, they opened the back and showed me the memory card marked as 512MB, their explaination is some memory is allocated to "ATI Mobility RADEON X200M graphich video card". is it right? can someone explain to me? Is it possible that the 512MB memory card has defect and is only partial functioning with 384MB?

Does anyone else get the same type of toshiba laptop before and observe the same information for its physical memory?

Thanks in advance.

Harry

 

The ATi Mobility Radeon X200M graphics card is integrated, meaning it does not have its own dedicated ram, therefore it's shares graphics ram with the systems ram by grabbing some of the 512MB. In your case, 128MB is allocated from the system ram to your graphics.

Integrated graphic solutions are usually unsuitable for gaming, and most of the time, they steal a portion of system ram for the graphics. If you want, you can either 1) get another laptop w/ a dedicated graphics card, or 2) add more ram to the comp (if you upgraded the system ram to 1GB, it'd steal 128MB and you'd still get 896mb to use), or 3) check the bios and there might be a way to adjust the amount of allocated ram for video.

 

Hi, maomanmaman, Thanks for your help. Now I feel more comfortable for the laptop. I may upgrade to 1GB ram in future.

Harry