Questions regarding RAM...

[DuskShark]

So, my laptop needs a RAM upgrade because it lags when I multi-task. I want to get a 4GB RAM stick but I know too little about RAM upgrading. Do RAM sticks work with all computers and laptops? Do they need a specific RAM stick? If this helps, here's what I have:

[Kogahazan]

Laptops usually require smaller RAM sticks than desktops. If you want 4GB, then buy two sticks of 2GB. Find out how many pins your current RAM has, and that's how many pins should be on the RAM you should buy. Next time you turn off your computer, open it up to see, the number should be printed on a label on your existing RAM sticks. When replacing RAM, don't just pull out the sticks directly, there should be a lock & release mechanism.

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.aspx?Category=17&name=Memory
Newegg is usually good for comp parts, just if you want egg saver shipping, you will learn the wonders of DHL and their craptacular service

[Takel]

First off:
Find out where the RAM is installed on your laptop. If you cannot see this for yourself, you should do a bit of asking around on the intarwebs. This is done for two reasons:
You know where to open the thing up, and you'll know how many sticks your machine has and how many slots are left.

Sometimes/often manufacturers will load a 2 slot machine with say, 2x1GB modules for 2GB of RAM. This is because 2x1GB modules are usually cheaper than a singular 2GB module. In those cases, upgrading the RAM will necessitate either 2x2GB modules or a lesser upgrade than expected.

Once you know this information, you can then decide if you need two modules, or just one module.

[DuskShark]

First off:
Find out where the RAM is installed on your laptop. If you cannot see this for yourself, you should do a bit of asking around on the intarwebs.

Well, I checked my laptop. I see that one of the covers has this on it:


Crappy drawing aside, is this what you meant?

[Takel]

Yeap, that should be where it is. Open the cover up with a screwdriver and take a look to see if there's one or two RAM modules installed.

[Leiw]

What's your laptop model?

[DuskShark]

What's your laptop model?

M-6834. Oh, and:

http://www.memoryupgrade.pro/m-6834.html

Are these the ones that do the job? They seem to match my laptop's description.

[Kogahazan]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007609%20600006176%20600000441%20600000406&IsNodeId=1&name=2GB

If that's the right kind, then the type of RAM you have is 200-pin 667MHZ DDR2. Here are some other ones on newegg, and if you still want 4GB, then it's cheaper to buy two sticks of 2GB (2GB x2) like Takel said. I dunno if I wanna trust Gateway with RAM but in a way, RAM is RAM.

But also if you buy from them and the RAM craps out on you, then you can bitch to them since Gateway has some responsibility in making sure their RAM works with other Gateway laptops. Newegg usually has nice return policies though, in case something does happen, so if you wanna save a bit, then get a cheaper alternative from Newegg. Up to you.