Sony A-240 series and RAM upgrade - HELP

I'm trying to upgrade my notebook memory to 1GB and I'm getting a bit confused on what I should get (I'm planning to buy 2 512 MB modules).

I searched the Sony support website and I know that I have to get a 200-pin SODIMM DDR PC 2700 DDR 333 type of memory...

I did a search at Newegg and came up with all these choices:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ycodevalue=529:7864,523:7857,524:7860&bop=and :decision:

But I saw this good deal on Kingston advertised at Circuit City:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/prod...FEED->PRODUCTS&cm_ite=1 PRODUCT&cm_keycode=57

And I found this from Crucial website:
http://www.crucial.com/store/MParts...A7304&WSMD=VAIO+VGN-A240+Series&WSPN=CT435211

I'm confused because the models from Crucial and Kingston on the Newegg website don't really seem to be the same as the Kingston memory I saw at Circuit City or the Crucial memory from the Crucial website.

And also, why do I see 3 Kingston memories on the Newegg website that apparently look the same to me but they are priced differently? Would any of these work on my laptop?

Any comments appreciated!

Thanks.

 

They should all work in your laptop. Usually, there are two type of memories that a manufacturer sells, a generic retail version and a model-specific version. The model specific version goes through more compatibility testing with a specific model and is more expensive. On the other hand, the generic version is just one size fits all -- but if every notebook manufacturer really follows the memory spec, one size should fit all. Sometimes the memory manufacturers keep more than one line of their generic type memory, one uses slightly better material or what not, so you get even more choices in the price range with marginally different compatibility and reliability.

Anyway, both brands are pretty good and going with the cheapest one should be no problem at all. Just make sure you have the right spec.. Both manufacturers have memory database, do a doublecheck before jump in.

 

Thanks, Skyshade, for the clarification.

I think I am going to go with the Crucial from their website - even though I noticed the price went up 10 bucks from yesterday

At first I was going to purchase directly from Sony but they are so overpriced.

I was wondering if there are any A240 users here who upgraded their laptop memory and what they would suggest.

 

Guys,

One more stupid question:

Is it OK to install, let's say, only one 1GB memory in one bank and leave the other bank empty? Will that work?

 

Chad, yes, you can use only 1 stick.

 

Skyshade. Thanks a lot!

Well, I thought I was all set for the upgrade but now I'm slightly confused.

The Sony website says I need the Micro DIMM DDR SDRAM PC 2700 333Mhz while the Crucial website says I need the SO-DIMM type.

Does anyone know which one I need?

 

A240 uses SO-DIMM...

 

Thanks, again, Skyshade.

I'm all set now