Laptops which support 8GB or more memory?

[abdu]

Looking for a laptop (HP, Lenovo, Dell, Toshiba & other known brands) which comes with 8 or 12 GB or more for software development purposes. More memory is my main priority. I don't care much about screen size, size of hard drive, gfx card & cpu speed I know current models are powerful enough for my needs. I will be connecting the laptop to a monitor and will need the dual monitor support.

Any recommendations for affordable ones (less than $1500). Not looking for high end gaming laptops.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

I like the Dell Precision 6500s. You can't touch one with that much ram for $1500 though. Base is like $1700.

Are you just looking for a laptop with a lot of ram, or you looking for an actual mobile workstation?

 

[CurseTheSky]

The HP Envy 14 can be customized with 8GB of memory from the factory. With the base laptop configuration + 8GB (no other changes), it'll set you back $1200 before tax / shipping. Keep in mind that it's a consumer notebook, not a business notebook, so if you need better tech support and whatnot look elsewhere. 8GB is also the maximum it'll take. It's an all-around excellent notebook, though, and includes HDMI and mini DisplayPort for your monitor needs (though factor in the cost of an active mini DisplayPort to DVI or HDMI adapter if your monitors don't support DP natively).

 

[abdu]

I like the Dell Precision 6500s. You can't touch one with that much ram for $1500 though. Base is like $1700.

Are you just looking for a laptop with a lot of ram, or you looking for an actual mobile workstation?

What's the difference between a laptop with lots of ram and a mobile workstation? It will be my main computer.

 

[metalmania]

"Workstation" is just a hyped version of the normal laptop. Nothing new, nothing worth the extra cost.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

"Workstation" is just a hyped version of the normal laptop. Nothing new, nothing worth the extra cost.

Don't know of any of the Dells or HPs that take over 8GB of ram and have higher end CPUs other than the Precisions.

"Mobile workstation" is mostly a misnomer for a near desktop. i7 quad core, 8GB+ of ram, dedicated video, etc.

 

[corkyg]

Lenovo's most pwerful notebook is the W510. You can get 16GB of RAM in it, but that adds an additional $1600+ buckaroos! 8GB is tolerable, and 4 GB is standard.

The limitation is two SODIMM slots. Ergo to have more than 8GB, you need SODIMMs bigger than 4GB.

Samsung is evidently producing 8GB SODIMMs, and that would enable a 16GB notebook such as the Lenovo W510.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1735208/samsung-producing-40nm-8gb-ddr3

If you have the bucks, here is a maxed out W510:

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...002903:&smid=FB35C8C3EB6B4076848E1488F7083D90

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

I think that's to do with form factor. The Precision gets around it as it's a larger (17") frame and has 4 slots (8x4) for a max of 32GB.

The W510 is a 15.6" with 2. I think the Precision 15.6" is the same, limited to like 16GB or so (2 slots).

 

[Zap]

You can look for DTR notebooks that use desktop components to get three SODIMM slots. Anandtech mentioned one of the latest models:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3942/clevo-x7200-480m-sli-avadirect

Pricing is NOT cheap, however.

 

[compman25]

My Latitude E4300 has 8GB and can use use up to 16Gb. Just buy one with the bare minimum and upgrade it yourself to save a ton of $$$

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

AFAIK the E4300 is a GS45 chipset which maxes out at 8GB.

 

[bamacre]

I like the Dell Precision 6500s. You can't touch one with that much ram for $1500 though. Base is like $1700.

That's a nice laptop. If it were me, I would look for one in their Outlet store (still come with 3yr warranty). Add memory yourself, it's a lot cheaper.

 

[RedCOMET]

The W510 is a 15.6" with 2. I think the Precision 15.6" is the same, limited to like 16GB or so (2 slots).

I have 8GB in my w510, but I don't do anything crazy with it... yet. I do notice thought that W510 is slightly larger in length and width than my T60.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

What's the difference between a laptop with lots of ram and a mobile workstation? It will be my main computer.

A mobile workstation grade laptop is going to have a better warranty than a $1000 consumer grade laptop.
If this is your main work machine, IF it goes down are you ready to mail it in for service or wait a few days for someone to come fix it?
Or do you want someone there same or next day?

 

[skriefal]

I think that's to do with form factor. The Precision gets around it as it's a larger (17") frame and has 4 slots (8x4) for a max of 32GB.

The W510 is a 15.6" with 2. I think the Precision 15.6" is the same, limited to like 16GB or so (2 slots).

The Thinkpad W510 has four DIMM slots. Two are on the bottom of the laptop; the other two are under the keyboard. I own one, and have all four slots populated (total 12GB).

 

[ed21x]

there isn't a single i3/i5/i7 based laptop chipset that doesn't support 8 gb...