Upgrading Your RAM GUIDE

A week ago I wrote an article about buying RAM for cheap and making your 1501 run faster. This is the second article covering how to install RAM in the Dell 1501. Enjoy!

First You Need Some Stuff:
1. Mini Screw Driver #0 Size
2. Static Bracelet
3. RAM

The right size mini screw driver is important, you do not want to strip these screws. A couple different sizes will end up working fine, use common sense, get the right tool for the job. A static bracelet is really important if you plan on opening up your computer and doing any work. This makes sure the static electrically stored in body doesn't fry any of your computer components. They're cheap, they work and they're less than five bucks. BUY ONE! Please use common sense,don't force anything in, buy the bracelet, unplug your laptop, take out the battery and take your time.

Step 1.
Put on your static bracelet, unplug your computer. Turn it over.
It should look like this:


Step 2.
Now take out your battery out and unscrew the RAM cover.
You should now see this:
*Note I was stupid and forgot to unplug my battery when I took this picture. You don't need electricity running through your 1501 while you do this. Turn of your 1501, take out the battery and unplug it.

Step 3.
Now take your RAM and look for the notch by the pins (the shiny metal part) and insert it at a 30 degree angle into the Empty DIM slot, lining up the notches. Push firmly and then push the RAM stick down locking it into place.

Step 4.
Replace the cover, put in your battery. Flip over your computer and enjoy.

edited by pHreaksYcle

Why Upgrading Your RAM Yourself is Smarter and Cheaper

Upgrading your RAM on the Dell 1501 is so important. It runs way too slow without it. For the last two months I've been rocking 512MB and my laptop has been completely functional but not fun . This goes for any machine, Windows, Linux, Mac. RAM is the most important part of a computer's speed that you can easily and safely change. Everything loads faster, you can have more desktops and windows open without slowdown, and since your graphic card memory is linked to your system memory, upgrading your RAM will have a direct effect on gaming speeds.

Dell offers a RAM upgrade when you order you 1501 but charges $65 bucks for another 512mb stick, $120 for 1GB Stick (so you get the same amount of memory as the $65 upgrade but get charged another $55 for it to be all on the same stick) or $250 for 2GB. These prices are ridiculous, this is how one of the ways Dell makes a huge profit on a public that may not know better. The best option is to buy your 1501 and upgrade later.

I just bought a 1GB stick from newegg.com this morning for $80 shipped. Saved $40 bucks from what Dell charges and I still have my original 512mb stick. This brings my total memory up to 1.5GB for only $80 dollars. Not too shabby. Remember you can buy RAM online cheap and most brands are perfectly fine for your everyday use. You're looking for Notebook DDR2 SDRAM 533MHZ, also known as PC2 4200. Happy hunting!

UPS will be delivering Monday so when it comes in I'm will be taking a bunch of pictures and writing a guide on how to upgrade your RAM.

edited by pHreaksYcle