{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T13:51:24+00:00","modifiedTime":"2017-06-19T15:32:58+00:00","timestamp":"2022-06-22T19:33:44+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Technology","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33512"},"slug":"technology","categoryId":33512},{"name":"Computers","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33513"},"slug":"computers","categoryId":33513},{"name":"Basic Skills","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33514"},"slug":"basic-skills","categoryId":33514}],"title":"Laptop Buying Decisions —Processor Speed and Memory","strippedTitle":"laptop buying decisions —processor speed and memory","slug":"for-seniors-laptop-buying-decisions-processor-speed-and-memory","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Your laptop contains a processor stored on a computer chip. The speed at which your laptop runs programs or completes tasks is determined in great measure by yo","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Your laptop contains a processor stored on a computer chip. The speed at which your laptop runs programs or completes tasks is determined in great measure by your computer processor speed. Processor speed is measured in <i>gigahertz</i> (GHz). The higher this measurement, the faster the processor.\r\n\r\nThese chips are constantly getting smaller and more powerful. However, when you shop, you probably shouldn’t consider anything lower than 2 GHz. Higher numbers give the best performance. Factor that into your decision, depending on your needs.\r\n\r\nIn addition, computers have a certain amount of storage capacity for running programs and storing data. You’ll see specifications for RAM and hard-drive data storage capacity when you go laptop shopping. Again, the specific numbers will change, so the rule of thumb is to look for a laptop with higher RAM numbers if you feel you need more storage capacity.\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>RAM is the memory needed to simply access and run programs.</b> RAM chips come in different types, including DRAM, SDRAM, and the latest version, DDR2. Look for a minimum of 1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM for everyday computing.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>RAM chips are rated by <i>access speed,</i> which relates to how quickly a request for data from your system can be completed.</b> You might see RAM speed measured in megahertz (MHz). Today, 800 MHz could be considered an acceptable access speed. Note that there are two common RAM types — SRAM and DRAM, with DRAM being the more efficient.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Your hard drive has a certain capacity for data storage measured in gigabytes (GB).</b> These days, you should probably look for a minimum of a 250GB hard drive, but hard drives can come with a range of huge capacities, with the largest being measured in <i>terabytes</i> (TB, measured in thousands of gigabytes).</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Your laptop requires some RAM to run the operating system.</b> Windows 8.1 requires 1GB of main memory for a 32-bit system and 2GB for a 64-bit system. It also requires 16GB of hard drive space for a 32-bit system and 20GB for a 64-bit system. Check your computer user guide to find out which system you have.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Your processor has multiple cores.</b> Most processors today are multiple-core processors, such as the i3, i5, and i7 processor lines from Intel. <i>Multiple core</i> means that two or more processors are involved in reading and executing software instructions as you use your laptop. Those with two processors are called <i>dual-core</i><i>,</i> those with four processors are called <i>quad-core</i><i>, </i>and processors with six cores are referred to as <i>hexa-core</i><i>.</i></p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">The bottom line with cores is that the more you have, the faster your laptop can process instructions because all the cores can be working at once, making multitasking possible. (<i>Multitasking</i> is when you’re running several programs at once, for example, playing music, downloading files from the Internet, running an antivirus scan, and working in a word processor — all at the same time.)</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>","description":"Your laptop contains a processor stored on a computer chip. The speed at which your laptop runs programs or completes tasks is determined in great measure by your computer processor speed. Processor speed is measured in <i>gigahertz</i> (GHz). The higher this measurement, the faster the processor.\r\n\r\nThese chips are constantly getting smaller and more powerful. However, when you shop, you probably shouldn’t consider anything lower than 2 GHz. Higher numbers give the best performance. Factor that into your decision, depending on your needs.\r\n\r\nIn addition, computers have a certain amount of storage capacity for running programs and storing data. You’ll see specifications for RAM and hard-drive data storage capacity when you go laptop shopping. Again, the specific numbers will change, so the rule of thumb is to look for a laptop with higher RAM numbers if you feel you need more storage capacity.\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>RAM is the memory needed to simply access and run programs.</b> RAM chips come in different types, including DRAM, SDRAM, and the latest version, DDR2. Look for a minimum of 1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM for everyday computing.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>RAM chips are rated by <i>access speed,</i> which relates to how quickly a request for data from your system can be completed.</b> You might see RAM speed measured in megahertz (MHz). Today, 800 MHz could be considered an acceptable access speed. Note that there are two common RAM types — SRAM and DRAM, with DRAM being the more efficient.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Your hard drive has a certain capacity for data storage measured in gigabytes (GB).</b> These days, you should probably look for a minimum of a 250GB hard drive, but hard drives can come with a range of huge capacities, with the largest being measured in <i>terabytes</i> (TB, measured in thousands of gigabytes).</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Your laptop requires some RAM to run the operating system.</b> Windows 8.1 requires 1GB of main memory for a 32-bit system and 2GB for a 64-bit system. It also requires 16GB of hard drive space for a 32-bit system and 20GB for a 64-bit system. Check your computer user guide to find out which system you have.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Your processor has multiple cores.</b> Most processors today are multiple-core processors, such as the i3, i5, and i7 processor lines from Intel. <i>Multiple core</i> means that two or more processors are involved in reading and executing software instructions as you use your laptop. Those with two processors are called <i>dual-core</i><i>,</i> those with four processors are called <i>quad-core</i><i>, </i>and processors with six cores are referred to as <i>hexa-core</i><i>.</i></p>\r\n<p class=\"child-para\">The bottom line with cores is that the more you have, the faster your laptop can process instructions because all the cores can be working at once, making multitasking possible. (<i>Multitasking</i> is when you’re running several programs at once, for example, playing music, downloading files from the Internet, running an antivirus scan, and working in a word processor — all at the same time.)</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33514,"title":"Basic Skills","slug":"basic-skills","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33514"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":248604,"title":"How to Run a Scan on Your Windows 10 Laptop with Windows Defender","slug":"run-scan-windows-10-laptop-windows-defender","categoryList":["technology","computers","basic-skills"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/248604"}},{"articleId":248601,"title":"Understanding Windows Update Options","slug":"understanding-windows-update-options","categoryList":["technology","computers","basic-skills"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/248601"}},{"articleId":248598,"title":"Understanding Security Threats to Your Windows 10 Laptop","slug":"understanding-security-threats-windows-10-laptop","categoryList":["technology","computers","basic-skills"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/248598"}},{"articleId":248595,"title":"How to Go Online Using Your Laptop’s Cellular Network","slug":"go-online-using-laptops-cellular-network","categoryList":["technology","computers","basic-skills"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/248595"}},{"articleId":248588,"title":"How to Use Microsoft’s Discussion Board","slug":"use-microsofts-discussion-board","categoryList":["technology","computers","basic-skills"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/248588"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":true,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281751,"slug":"laptops-for-dummies-6th-edition","isbn":"9781119041801","categoryList":["technology","computers","basic-skills"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119041805/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119041805/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119041805-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119041805/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119041805/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/laptops-for-dummies-6th-edition-cover-9781119041801-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Laptops For Dummies, 6th Edition","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"9003\">Dan Gookin</b></b> wrote the very first <i>For Dummies</i> book in 1991. With more than 11 million copies in print, his books have been translated into 32 languages. <i>PCs For Dummies,</i> now in its 12th edition, is the bestselling beginning PC book in the world. Dan offers tips, games, and fun at www.wambooli.com.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9003,"name":"Dan Gookin","slug":"dan-gookin","description":" <p><b>Dan Gookin</b> wrote the very first <i>For Dummies</i> book in 1991. With more than 11 million copies in print, his books have been translated into 32 languages. <i>PCs For Dummies,</i> now in its 12th edition, is the bestselling beginning PC book in the world. Dan offers tips, games, and fun at www.wambooli.com. ","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9003"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/281751"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["technology","computers","basic-skills"]},{"key":"isbn","values":[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62b36e98e191a\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["technology","computers","basic-skills"]},{"key":"isbn","values":[null]}]\" 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These chips are constantly getting smaller and more powerful. However, when you shop, you probably shouldn’t consider anything lower than 2 GHz. Higher numbers give the best performance. Factor that into your decision, depending on your needs. In addition, computers have a certain amount of storage capacity for running programs and storing data. You’ll see specifications for RAM and hard-drive data storage capacity when you go laptop shopping. Again, the specific numbers will change, so the rule of thumb is to look for a laptop with higher RAM numbers if you feel you need more storage capacity.
|