I need laptop RAM. Newegg now or hotdeal later?

[pennylane]

I only have 256 MB RAM on a 700m (Dell deal).

I need more. I checked the hot deal forums and it doesn't seem like there's THAT much of a drop-off in price from newegg (and there's usually a rebate involved, which can be unreliable).

I need to add a gig, either via a 1 gig stick or just 2 512 sticks (though 512 sticks are cheaper, right?). A 1 gig stick lets me keep the 256, but 2 512 sticks makes the 256 useless, right? I think it'd be worth it to pay a little extra and get the gig stick.

What do you think I should do?

Buy from newegg now or wait?
1 gig stick or 2 512 sticks?
What's a good solid brand?

 

[Cobalt]

Well depends, what do you use it for?

 

[pennylane]

I'm using it just for work and stuff. I won't be playing games on it. I just need RAM for general programs (browsing, office apps, music and video playback).

 

[Cobalt]

1024 should be enough, so get 2x512.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

DO NOT just buy any RAM. Laptops are very fussy about RAM. I do this for a living TRUST ME you want to order RAM that's guaranteed to work with your laptop. I recommend you go to Crucial.com and use their online database to lookup the memory that's a guaranteed match for you specific laptop.

 

[pennylane]

Does that only give crucial models though?

 

[John]

I also own a 700m and right now I have a 1GB DDR333 Gigaram module in it. I removed the keyboard and swapped it with the 256MB module that was there, and put the 256MB module in the slot on the underside of the unit. Memtest86+ stable and runs like a champ!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820221205

I've also used the Kingmax 1GB DDR333 module in the 700m.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820155111

 

[pennylane]

next day bump

 

[AmberClad]

It doesn't have to be Crucial RAM (that's just the only brand that Dell officially sells as upgrades). These companies have RAM configurators that show you compatible RAM for your laptop:

OCZ
http://configurator.ocztechnology.com/result.asp?mn=Inspiron+700m&modelid=47677

Corsair
http://compatible.corsairmemory.com/mini/default.aspx (sorry, no direct link)

Kingston
http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configu...iron+700m&distributor=0&submit1=Search