How much memory do I need on my laptop?

💡Need to know

• RAM vs. Storage: Think of RAM as your temporary workspace for open tabs and apps, while storage is the permanent home for all your saved files and software.
• The 16GB Sweet Spot: While 8GB can get by for basic browsing, upgrading to 16GB of RAM offers a much smoother experience for modern apps and daily multitasking.
• SSDs are the standard: Solid-state drives (SSDs) have largely replaced traditional hard drives because they are much faster, quieter, and less prone to physical wear and tear.
• Check before you buy: Many modern laptops have their components soldered inside, meaning you often cannot upgrade the memory later down the road.

---

Memory and storage: The difference between them can be confusing, and sometimes it's hard to know how much of each you really need on your laptop. The good news: We can lend a hand.

At Asurion, our experts work to provide our 300 million customers solutions for all of their tech care needs. Here's their breakdown of memory and storage and how they apply to your laptop.

Memory vs. Storage

Many people assume that memory and storage are the same thing, but they're not. Memory refers to random access memory (RAM), your computer's short-term data, and storage refers to the hard drive, where your computer houses the operating system, files, and applications—anything that needs to be saved and stored but not accessed immediately.

PC Mag suggested one way to keep these terms straight: Imagine your hard drive is a filing cabinet holding all of your data (i.e. your storage). To continue the analogy, think of your laptop's memory as your desk, the place where you gather the information you'll need to complete your work immediately. Your desk can only hold so much, which is why the filing cabinet comes in handy.

What is RAM?

RAM is your laptop's short-term memory. Anytime you launch a program, it moves from storage to RAM so your computer can access it quickly—such as your internet browser. RAM is volatile, meaning that the data it holds is not saved forever; the memory clears whenever you turn off your laptop.

What does RAM do in a computer?

RAM is essential to fast speeds because it stores the information that your computer uses for quick tasks. When you open multiple programs at once, access files simultaneously, or run demanding software, you're using large amounts of RAM. If your laptop is running slowly or you notice apps lagging, it's likely because you don't have enough of this short-term memory.

How much RAM does my laptop have?

If you forget how much RAM your laptop has, no problem; finding out is easy. Just look up the model or serial number online. Alternatively, follow these steps:

If you have a Mac:

1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner and choose System Settings.
2. Click General in the sidebar, then select About on the right.
3. Look for the number listed next to Memory.

If you're using a Windows 10 PC:

1. Click the Start button and go to Settings > System > About.
2. Look for Installed RAM to find out how much you have.

Can I change the amount of RAM I have?

It depends on your machine. While some traditional desktop PCs and older laptops allow you to pop in new memory sticks, almost all modern laptops (including all Apple Silicon MacBooks and thin Windows laptops) have the RAM permanently soldered to the motherboard. For these machines, your RAM is locked in for life, making it crucial to buy the right amount upfront.

What types of storage exist for computers?

All laptops have storage, but there are several different types. Let's take a look at the options.

Internal and external hard drive

Hard disk drives (HDDs) store things like your laptop's personal files, installed software, and the operating system. Laptop and desktop computers contain an internal HDD, connected to the motherboard, though you can also connect external HDDs to increase the storage available to your computer.

SSD vs. HDD

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are faster, quieter, and significantly more reliable than older-style HDDs because they have no moving parts. Today, SSDs are the absolute standard for all modern laptops. Traditional, spinning hard disk drives (HDDs) have been phased out of internal consumer tech and are now primarily used as cheap, high-capacity external backup drives.

Flash memory

Flash memory is typically found in SSDs, memory cards, and USB flash drives. It's inexpensive and durable.

Cloud storage

Online or cloud storage relies on Internet servers to preserve data. All you need is a laptop, an Internet connection, and a cloud storage provider, like Google Drive™ or Dropbox®. With online storage, your data is available 24/7 as long as you're connected to the Internet, and you're only limited by how much you choose to pay.

How much RAM do I need on my laptop?

​The answer to this question depends on what you want to do with your laptop.

Adding more RAM than you need won't necessarily make your laptop faster—and it will probably be a waste of money. So it's important to buy the appropriate amount based on how you plan to use your laptop.

Memory and storage are both measured in bytes, which are units of information. Modern laptops and desktop computers typically feature anywhere from 8GB up to 64GB of RAM.

Here's what our experts recommend for a number of activities:

• School: 16GB of RAM is the modern baseline for everyday students to ensure web browsers, Zoom, and background apps run smoothly. Ultra-budget users can scrape by on 8GB, but it will bottleneck multitasking.
• Work: 16GB of RAM is highly recommended for standard office productivity, data processing, and seamless multitasking.
• Gaming: 16GB to 32GB of RAM is the ideal sweet spot for modern gaming, preventing stuttering in resource-heavy titles.
• Video production: 32GB of RAM is the realistic standard for editing high-resolution 4K video streams without severe timeline lag.
• Audio production: 16GB of RAM is the modern target for clean tracking, mixing, and processing, stepping up to 32GB if you utilize massive digital instrument libraries.
• Graphic design: 16GB to 32GB is recommended for effortlessly handling large multi-layered project files in programs like Photoshop® and Illustrator®.

What to do if I need more RAM?

Updating RAM on a laptop is tricky, and for many people, it's wise to invest in a new laptop instead. If you're committed to upgrading your RAM, it's best to turn to a laptop repair expert for help.

How much storage do I need on my laptop?

Most laptops start with 256 GB of storage space. For most people, this is plenty, especially if you mostly use your computer for browsing the web and watching TV online. Here's a handy guide to understanding how much storage you need based on what you're doing.

• Light: For basic web browsing, cloud-based schoolwork, and streaming, 256GB to 512GB of internal storage provides a comfortable home for your operating system and documents.
• Medium: If you store local high-res photo albums, download offline entertainment, or manage moderate creative projects, you should aim for a 512GB to 1TB SSD.
• Heavy: 1TB is the modern baseline for current PC gamers (as single titles can easily exceed 100GB), high-definition video creators, and anyone who prefers keeping their entire digital footprint archived directly on their physical device.