What to Look For: RAM

Now that we have looked at how to identify different types of processors, the next important factor is RAM.  In our office example, we said that the RAM was like the desk.  Important work is placed in the RAM (on the desk) until it is needed by the processor (employee).  If you have a small desk, you will be spending a lot of time shuffling papers from the desk drawers on and off of the desk.  If you get a bigger desk, you can have a lot more paperwork on your desk at a given time.

RAM works in the same manner.  If you have a small amount of RAM, your computer will spend a lot of time shuffling data around.  If you increase the RAM, your computer will be able to store more data where it is easily accessible to the processor, and it will be able to spend less time shuffling data around.

However, there comes a point where adding more RAM is a waste of money.  The programs that you use will only need a certain amount of RAM; most programs require 2 GB or less.  While you may want more so that you can use several programs simultaneously, it is unlikely that you would need more than 4 GB unless you are using your computer for high-end gaming, complex video editing, or rendering 3-D graphics.

It is also important to note that operating systems (like Windows) come in two different categories, called architectures:  32-bit and 64-bit.  32-bit operating systems can only use around 3.25 GB of RAM, even if more is installed.  While other components on a computer can use a small amount of memory outside the operating system, you will certainly be wasting anything over 4 GB with a 32-bit operating system.  If you are looking to purchase a new computer, the manufacturer would certainly be aware of this and will put 64-bit Windows on anything with 4 GB of RAM or more, but if you are considering adding more RAM to your computer, you will want to be aware of this limit.  While 64-bit operating systems do have a theoretical limit, that limit is currently unattainable by today's technology (it is in the range of petabytes, which is 1000 terabytes or 1,000,000 gigabytes).

My Recommendations:
Phone or Tablet for Basic Use:  I would recommend at least 1 GB of RAM.  It is certainly possible to get by with less, but your device may be slower than you want.
Basic Internet/Office Use:  Since Windows Vista, 7, and 8 almost always require at least 1 GB of RAM (with the exception of a couple versions of Vista), I would recommend that any computer you consider have at least 2 GB to ensure there is ample space for other programs.  Choosing a computer with 4 GB might be advisable if you can stay within your budget.
High Usage/Multitasking/Video Streaming:  I would recommend 4 GB.  You may see a slight improvement in speed if you choose a computer with 8 GB, but I would not consider this upgrade a high priority.
High-End Gaming/Video Editing and Rendering:  8 GB to 16 GB of RAM would be recommended for these tasks.  You will also want to consider a separate graphics card, which will include additional RAM that will be dedicated to producing the images on your screen (more on that later in the week).