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I know my way around the computer, but I'm not a pro. I have a Gateway laptop Iwith an anti-virus program and I frequently scan and update my computer, but it's really SLOW sometimes. I right click on "My Computer" and it shows that it's a Gateway 4026GZ Intel[R] Celeron[R] M processor 1.30GHz 1.29 GHz, 224 MB of RAM. Should I but a new laptop or but more MEMORY?

2007-07-22 14:44:50 · 14 answers · asked by Tanya 1 in Computers & Internet Hardware Laptops & Notebooks

14 answers

Neither new computer nor more ram
Try this computer speedup tool:
http://boost-computer-performance.info
It works very well.

2007-07-26 00:55:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

If you're only using the laptop for light office work: Email, Web browsing, some Office work, then the processor should be fast enough, just get more RAM.

Don't buy your memory from Gateway - they'll just charge you an arm and a leg. Go to Crucial.com or Kingston.com - Gateway buys their memory from these guys, so you might as well buy direct and save. Both companies have a web-application that can tell you which memory will work on your laptop and replacing the memory in your laptop should be pretty easy (there's usually a panel on the bottom on the laptop you open by removing a screw.)

Be aware you may need to remove the memory in your laptop in order to replace them with your new, larger modules. You could probably sell your old modules on eBay

I would try to get 1GB of RAM if the laptop - and budget - would allow, however even just another 256MB of RAM (for a total of 512MB) will significantly boost your performance.

2007-07-22 22:03:48 · answer #2 · answered by PoohBearPenguin 7 · 0 0

Well, that's a relatively slow processor, but that's really a small amount of ram. (I'm assuming you're running xp; you didn't specify.) Your laptop shares its memory with the video, so are really running without much memory.

You'd want 512Mb of ram to run well. Laptop memory tends to be a little pricey.

Here's the thing... a new laptop will set you back $$$, since Vista requires more of a sumo machine to run well. (2Gb ram is reasonable, with dedicated memory on the video card.) IF, and only you know at this point, your laptop is in good shape otherwise, put in the memory upgrade.

2007-07-22 21:52:11 · answer #3 · answered by conehead 6 · 0 0

You have a 256 RAM chip install and the video display is stealling some ram for it to work that is why you see 224.

You should install a second chip - 512MB and that will greatly improve your performance.

Another thing you could do is Turn OFF some of the programs that start with the computer starts.

Start > Run > type MSCONFIG - go to the start up tab and untick what you don't need. Most of them except for your antivirus and antispyware programs.

2007-07-22 21:50:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

New computer.

A Celeron is a "Cut-Down" version of the PentiumX series.
Remember, Intel makes both chips, but the Celeron is the "poor man's" chip, to sell the PC cheaper.

More RAM will only make the windows and pages popup faster, not perform faster. It may (depending on the laptop) increase your video memory, if the video is shared, that is.

Stick with XP for now.
Vista is a mistake. It asks too many "questions" to accomplish something. It has too much security, that the whole system is not fun or practical. In general, unless you own a super computer, you won't see the benefits of Vista.

2007-07-22 21:49:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 2

Most computer users have been trained that if you want more speed for your computer, then add more memory. Well, this is true, in certain circumstances. But for most of the times, it really is just bad files in your registry files. Corrupted or missing registry files can make your computer too slow.
The registry is a main part of your computer's Operating System. With time, as you use Windows and install and uninstall programs, your registry will get congested and full of errors. So your computer could slow down. So, if you can clean it up this problem can be solved.Sometimes you can speed computer up by 300%. To clean up registry,You can download a software called regsitry cleaner---Clean registry,remnant,corrupt files and temp files,history,cookies,etc.. This site:
http://computer-speed.info
lists top 5 registry cleaner,you can download and scan for free.
Good luck!

2007-07-25 08:23:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Check your laptop manual or Gateway's support to determine how much total RAM your laptop can support. If you can at least double it, you should experience a nice (not drastic) improvement in performance. You may also check how much space is left in your hard disk. When these are nearing their capacity, the performance suffers a lot.
Both the hard drive and ram are fairly easily replaced in a laptop, and their prices have come down a lot.

2007-07-22 21:53:37 · answer #7 · answered by goltain 3 · 0 0

I would find how big you memory slots are you need at least 256 to run xp 256 to run the aol software package i would add more ram in 1gig sticks also to a msconfig you disable most common start ups apps I would stay away from vista for awhile oh yeah dont buy your memory from gateway its too expensive look to tigerdirect.com

2007-07-22 22:14:56 · answer #8 · answered by chris 1 · 0 0

Yo you really need more RAM or memory a standard computer usually have at least 500 MB of RAM and the more the better.
My computer came with 256 MB of Ram so I bought 256 more at the store and now it's way faster I'm even thinking of buying 1GB of Ram. So you just need more Ram they sell them anywhere and its easy to install. just ask the people at the store if you have any question on how to install it.

2007-07-22 21:52:43 · answer #9 · answered by Fabo 4 · 0 0

New laptop:

Money is no objection the way you phrase it, the CPU is likely the bottleneck here, the RAM is plenty; and SODIMMs for laptops are not that easy to come by with varieties.

Also why ppl feel the need of loading so many utility programs like anti-virus (yes one is needed if email is what you do) firewall, and those?

2007-07-22 21:55:30 · answer #10 · answered by Andy T 7 · 0 1

If you are running 2000 or XP, upgrade to at least 512MB of RAM. If you plan to run vista, get a new computer.

2000 will run great on a 1.3, XP will run pretty well. Vista will tank, no matter how much memory you have.

2007-07-22 21:48:48 · answer #11 · answered by Amanda H 6 · 1 0

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