"Onboard" memory in notebooks irremovable?

[sheh]

I'm looking for a notebook and noticed the concept of "onboard" memory (was looking at some ASUS X54C). Is this completely irremovable? How common is this in notebooks?

Besides being a problem if the memory fails it also limits upgradability (can't replace module with a larger one when free slots run out).

Are there any other soldered components I should beware of? Are socketed CPU common in notebooks? What about other components?

 

[wirednuts]

i dont see anywhere it claims any sort of memory is soldered into the board.... and i hope not because memory and storage goes bad and needs to be replaced periodically

 

[jjsbasmt]

I've only seen maybe two notebooks with soldered on memory and that was about 10 years ago. If I can remember correctly it was perhaps a Compaq and/or Toshiba and still had a slot for removeable chips.

 

[rabbitz]

A lot of newer ultrabooks with 'non-user serviceable components' means things that you can't really upgrade/replace.... which can really be anything especially with those super thin laptops that don't even let you open them up

 

[RU482]

i'm looking for a notebook and noticed the concept of "onboard" memory (was looking at some asus x54c). Is this completely irremovable? How common is this in notebooks?

Besides being a problem if the memory fails it also limits upgradability (can't replace module with a larger one when free slots run out).

Are there any other soldered components i should beware of? Are socketed cpu common in notebooks? What about other components?

vote with your wallet - don't buy it

 

[T_Yamamoto]

A lot of newer ultrabooks with 'non-user serviceable components' means things that you can't really upgrade/replace.... which can really be anything especially with those super thin laptops that don't even let you open them up

+1

 

[nitrous9200]

CPUs in notebooks are usually replaceable, except in MacBooks and perhaps some super-slim machines (ultrabooks). Most laptops don't have integrated RAM anymore although as mentioned, some ultrabooks probably do to save space.

The biggest issue with laptops is probably a "discrete" graphics chip that's soldered onto the motherboard (as opposed to low end Intel integrated graphics). Those can go bad, and a few years ago there were many issues with certain NVIDIA models that affected laptops from almost every manufacturer. Very few laptops have removable graphics cards (MXM standard).

 

[sheh]

I didn't mean super-thin ones, but a standard 15" notebook (this X54C, or something very similar to it).

The memory is said to be: "DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM, 2 GB, OnBoard Memory, 1 x SO-DIMM socket for expansion up to 6 GB SDRAM", which sounds like up to 2 modules but only 1 slot.

vote with your wallet - don't buy it

If it really isn't the standard I might very well look for something else. But taking everything into consideration there may not be that many options, once I filtered them down based on warranty period, screen quality, keyboard, price, and battery (though I suppose at least that may be upgraded).

CPUs in notebooks are usually replaceable

Not what I expected, but that's good to hear. Is it upgradable realistically, given the severe heat output limitations?

The biggest issue with laptops is probably a "discrete" graphics chip that's soldered

Integrated gfx is what I expected. It was the standard in integrated desktop mobos as well, for basic graphics. But I'm going for CPU-based graphics, so even that is socketed.

 

[rsutoratosu]

still common, some still have memory soldered on. usually its the ultra thin ones

 

[rabbitz]

"On board" sounds like soldered on memory, especially when they add that there is a single "expansion" slot.

So in that case, it looks like it comes with 1x2gb 1333mhz ram soldered in, with one empty and open slot that 'officially' supports up to a 4gb stick.

As for graphics cards, it doesn't have anything to do with integrated or discrete. Integrated just means that the graphics processor is either built into the motherboard or the cpu... so obviously you cannot replace these. However, in the newer intel/amd processors the 'integrated' graphics can work alongside 'discrete' graphics.

For discrete graphics, I would suggest you read about MxM. User switchable graphics processors are rare.. and mostly featured in big gaming laptops.

 

[sheh]

Thanks everyone. Let's see what the companies themselves say...

 

[chubbyfatazn]

"On board" sounds like soldered on memory, especially when they add that there is a single "expansion" slot.

So in that case, it looks like it comes with 1x2gb 1333mhz ram soldered in, with one empty and open slot that 'officially' supports up to a 4gb stick.

This.

CPUs are usually replaceable on 14"+ notebooks (not sure about 12-13"). My 12" lappy has its CPU soldered on.

 

[Manojkumar.P.S]

Finally are got answer to your question?please help me to upgrade my X54C with 4 GB ddr3 RAM.Is any external slot to insert the chip?

 

[Manojkumar.P.S]

Please help in the posted situation.

 

[Harvey]

Finally are got answer to your question?please help me to upgrade my X54C with 4 GB ddr3 RAM.Is any external slot to insert the chip?

When all else fails, RTFM (Read The Freaking Manual). In this case, see the tech specs for your machine on Asus' site.

Under "Memory," it just says "DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM *1"

"*1" indicate footnotes. At the bottom of the page, under "Note," it says:

DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM, 2 GB, OnBoard Memory, 1 x SO-DIMM socket for expansion up to 6 GB SDRAM
DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM, 4 GB, OnBoard Memory, 1 x SO-DIMM socket for expansion up to 8 GB SDRAM

That means one SO-DIMM is hard soldered to the board, and there is one open SO-DIMM socket which, in your machine, currently holds a 2 GB stick. You can expand your RAM to 6 GB by replacing the socketed 2 GB stick with a 4 GB stick.