Netbook RAM - worth the upgrade?

C

chris414

Active Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2005
Messages
69
Reaction score
0
I bought an Acer Aspire One netbook a year or two ago. All I use it for is simple web browsing, updating my blog, and watching movies occasionally. It's not like it's fast (at all), but it's not my main computer and I don't use it for any major tasks so it doesn't really matter... but it would be nice if it were a bit "snappier" in it's response to me opening a browser, etc, and I would like to be able to install XP on it (right now I'm using Ubuntu - XP runs very slowly on it).

Currently I have 512mb RAM and the solid state drive - do you think upgrading to 1024mb RAM would make a noticeable difference? Or is it not worth the R400?
 
I think you will definately notice a difference with another 512MB ram. XP will run alot smoother on 1Gb ram than 512mb.
 
XPs "sweet spot" is 1GB RAM. You'll see a very noticeable difference.
 
Ubuntu 9.10 runs very nicely with 2GB on my netbook (Samsung NC10) - I can even run XP in a virtualbox :D
 
chris414 said:
I bought an Acer Aspire One netbook a year or two ago. All I use it for is simple web browsing, updating my blog, and watching movies occasionally. It's not like it's fast (at all), but it's not my main computer and I don't use it for any major tasks so it doesn't really matter... but it would be nice if it were a bit "snappier" in it's response to me opening a browser, etc, and I would like to be able to install XP on it (right now I'm using Ubuntu - XP runs very slowly on it).

Currently I have 512mb RAM and the solid state drive - do you think upgrading to 1024mb RAM would make a noticeable difference? Or is it not worth the R400?
Click to expand...

It's worth it but rather upgrade to 1.5Gb instead. I would recommend you have a look at some tutorials/youtube videos first since you need to disassemble the entire AAO to add memory. That Ssd is insanely slow and windows shouldn't use it for virtual memory.
 
I upgraded my A110 and the extra RAM makes a huge diff.
Taking the Netbook apart takes some time but its worth it.

I run Tiny Win7 on my 8GB SSD with 1GB RAM and installed http://flashfire.org/xe/ and it runs smooth :)

Flashfire will speed up that SSD in Windows by 50% or even more!
 
Thanks for the replies:) I'm struggling to make sense of the spec sheets I've found on the internet - can I buy one 1Gb module and add it to my existing 512mb to give me 1.5Gb total? The guy at the computer shop was certain the acer aspire one only has one slot for RAM...
 
I've got the A110... so let me get this straight - when it says:
Standard Memory: 512 MB (Non-removable) +
0 MB (Removable) or
512 MB (Removable) = 512MB or 1GB total
Click to expand...

I have nothing in the removeable slot, so I can add 1GB to that?
 
chris414 said:
I've got the A110... so let me get this straight - when it says:


I have nothing in the removeable slot, so I can add 1GB to that?
Click to expand...

Yes, so in total you will have 1.5GB with the memory soldered to the board.
 
Thanks for the help! Installed an extra gig and busy installing windows 7:)
 
Install a faster SSD rather. Buy a Toshiba 32GB SSD and plonk it in. You'll get better performance.
 
My undeerstanding is that the original Acer 8GB SSD has a unique connection cable. How did you resolve this when switching to the Toshiba 32 GB SSD, and where can it be purchased/what price pse? Thx!
 
Added 1Gig to bring my ram up to 1.5GB added a 1.8" 30GB HDD. My Aspire One now runs Windows 7 & Ubuntu in dual boot. Performance is very good for what it is. I've even used Virtual box on it, nothing but buttersmoothness all the way!
 
Vegeta said:
Added 1Gig to bring my ram up to 1.5GB added a 1.8" 30GB HDD. My Aspire One now runs Windows 7 & Ubuntu in dual boot. Performance is very good for what it is. I've even used Virtual box on it, nothing but buttersmoothness all the way!
Click to expand...
This is exactly what I'm thinking of doing now... Windows 7 isn't running well on my netbook now and it's taking up 99% of my 8Gb SD card. Where did you get your 1.8" drive? I also want about 20Gb / 30Gb, dont need anything more.

mk1 said:
Don't forget to install Flashfire!
Click to expand...
I'm installing XP now for the smaller install size and will definitely try it out!
 
Last edited:
Windows 7 is indeed a space-hog if you only have the 8GB SSD. But try Tiny7 instead which runs an absolute treat on a netbook! Mine installed in less than 4GB and has pretty much all the features I am likely to need. No problems with Windows Updates either. Highly recommended, if you can manage the 700 MB (free!) download. Remember to add the freebie FlashFire though, or performance will be disappointing.

Repeat of earlier question to PeterCH: where did you get the Toshiba 32GB SDD, price please and what about the unique cable connection Acer used for the SSD?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X