PC memory

[muchlovex]

I am looking to buying either an Ipad or Laptop. Can anyone explain, in laymans terms, about computer memory sizes.

Thank you for any help.

[VHG]

Do you man RAM (real memory) size or hard disk memory size?

Also, do you mean their physical size, or their size in megabytes / gigabytes?

If you are buying a laptop then I assume you mean size in megabytes / gigabytes.

There are two main sizes you need to consider:

RAM (real memory) size and hard disk size.

RAM (real) memory is measured in gigabytes and nowadays it is best to get one with at least 2Gb. If you can get one with 3Gb or 4Gb so much the better, but unless you do complex computer work you are unlikely to use more than 2Gb so dont pay extra for 3Gb or 4Gb.

Hard disk size is also measured in Gigabytes and nowadays disks are huge compared with a few years ago. Usual sizes are 250Gb, 320Gb, 500Gb, 1000 Gb.

Note a 1000Gb disk is also known as 1Tb (Terrabyte).

Try to buy the largest you can, though most people doing normal computing work will rarely fill a 250Gb disk (unless you download lots of films and music).

Cant help on the ipad as I know little of the internals but the same principles of RAM and hard disk still apply, though sizes may bge different (possible smaller).

If I have answered the wrong "question" then let me know.

[muchlovex]

hi VHG. Thank you for your anwswer.

yes, I was meaning size in megabytes/gigabytes etc.

[AB Editor]

In terms of storage memory (hard disk memory) you'll see two types:

HDD: Hard Disk Drive, the most common type. Currently very affordable and larger.

SSD: Solid State Drive, these are expensive and smaller - BUT they are usually quicker and smaller (in actual size). As they don't have any moving parts they are also quiet and don't produce any noticeable heat. Most modern phones and tablets use SSD, as do some laptops.

In terms of actually seeing a speed difference during use the biggest factors are: Size of RAM, Size of Hard drive (indexing a large drive takes longer and more resources) and type of Hard drive - SSD being preferred.

[ChuckFickens]

"In terms of actually seeing a speed difference during use...."

And spindle speed for standard hard disc drives.

Latops normally have either 4800RPM, 5400RPM or 7200RPM drives, the faster the spindle speed of the drive the faster the data transfer rate is.

[SlackAlice]

and do not have a 'heart attack' when you look up the prices of SSD's

[muchlovex]

Thank you for all your helpful comments.

[RAV1D]

Bigger the better! In this day and age go for Gb before Mb, Just like if you saw a pound and a penny on the floor,What one would you pick up first. If you say penny I'l be picking up the pound while you grab the penny!