Need more SDRAM for my new/used Dell laptop-- please advise.

[bupkus]

Need more SDRAM for my new/used Dell laptop-- please advise.

I just got this (my very first) laptop and it came with one 128MB module with the following label:

Toshiba
THLY12N01A80
PC100-222-620
577113/010SUKC
16M x 64 SDRAM

That leaves one open slot for more memory.
Although the Dell says on the bottom that it came with Windows 2000, the person I bought i from has Windows XP Home installed.
So, here comes the questions, but first... what will I use it for? I'm an unemployed, degreed computer nut and I don't know what I'll be doing next, but I will do it using linux and all that software MS sent me in my Action Pack Subcription. And I'll eventually be programming and configuring and and... BTW, this is not my primary or only system by any means.

1. does Windows XP Home require more ram than Windows 2000?

2. How much ram should I buy?

3. If I decide to install Windows XP Pro, will I need even more memory?

4. What specs do I look for when shopping for this new ram? When I get the specs I can then look in the "Hot Deals" forum for just that.

5. If I end up using Red Hat alone, will 128+256 SDRAM be overkill?

5. There's only a 10GB hdd and I'm a dual boot Win/linux freek, what's a good replacement drive?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Ionizer86]

1/2) Add another 256 to get 384 total, and it will be sufficient.

3) XP Pro doesn't really use more memory than Home.

4) Since this laptop uses PC100, I suppose it can only take PC100. Just look for a PC100 256MB SoDimm made by a good company and you're set.

5) 384 isn't overkill for any OS. 384 and 512 are both good amounts of ram for medium to slightly high intensity use.

6) Replacement drive? Laptop hard drives are expensive. I think Compusa sells 20GB's for like $100 or so. If you're looking at a good drive, I'd say that mobile Hitachi Travelstar 40GB 5400RPM with (8 or 16MB?) cache would be a really good drive, though it'll set you back tons of money.

 

[Abhi]

Go to crucial.com

Choose you laptop model no. etc...

You will get all the details you about about the right RAM for your system.