Question about laptop memory

TruckStuff · Post by **TruckStuff** » Wed Jun 18, 2003 8:36 am

My wife has a Toshiba Satelite 2805-S202 that I am looking to upgrade the memory on. The machine accepts 144pin PC100 SODIMMs (thankfully). After shopping around pricewatch, I've found that PC133 SODIMMS are cheaper (and more prevelant) than PC100s. On a desktop system, I know I could drop PC133 in there without any problems (other than it running at 100vs133). I don't anticipate laptops would be any different, but I'd like to double check. Can someone please verify that 100MHz laptops will accept PC133 memory modules? Thanks!

TheSovereign · Post by **TheSovereign** » Wed Jun 18, 2003 9:05 am

well it worked on my sotec i got a 133 mhz 128 in their with 128 onboard
so good luck

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Wed Jun 18, 2003 1:18 pm

There's no problem using PC133 on a PC100 or a PC66 system.

HOWEVER some laptops can be VERY fussy about the architecture of the memory (the internal arrangement). I've had a stick of generic PC133 that would work on some laptops and not others even though the specs for them all were for either PC100 or 133.

If you want to be certain to get the right memory, I'd recommend going to Crucial.com and using their online database to look up your laptop's specific model to make sure you get exactly the right memory.

I don't mess around with guess work on laptops anymore.

TruckStuff · Post by **TruckStuff** » Wed Jun 18, 2003 8:08 pm

I don't mess around with guess work on laptops anymore.

Neither do I, that's why I posted here.

I used to do some service/sales work with laptops and the memory was always a PITA. Toshiba's website and crucial.com (I did think to check there this morning

); both said this laptop accepts 144pin PC100 SODIMMs. So I ordered a stick from newegg that should be here later this week (hopefully). Thanks for the input.

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Sat Jun 21, 2003 7:12 pm

Using Toshiba's site, a stock 256mb stick for yours runs about $136
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais ... 1073810429
which is about twice as costly as the ram for my older Satelite 1805-253. I've never tryed using anything different for laptops either from what I've read before.

TheManiacal1 · Post by **TheManiacal1** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 3:31 am

laptop memory tends to be very fussy in my experience (i go through about 1 a year). get your memory from crucial or kingston. you'll spend a little more, but you won't have to worry about compatibility issues...

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 4:12 pm

Hey,

I also have a question on ram here. I'm thinking I may ask my dad if he wants to sell his 64mb sodimm and get a 128 sodimm, so that XP runs better on his 450 PII Laptop (hopefully it works when I put it back together). The board runs at PC100. Went the crucial and had it choose the ram for me (This is an Omnibook XE2 100MHz) and it just showed me the 64 and 128 meg sticks of PC100. This laptop can hold 256mb max, and I think we might as well go to the max.

I also noticed PC133 was cheaper. I think we'd be ok, but I could always ask my dad if he wants to take that chance.

Do you guys also reccommend with this older laptop (probably a good 4-5years) that I go the safe route, and buy from Crucial?

Thanks!

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 4:22 pm

If they didn't list a 256Mb stick then the laptop may not support a single stick that large.

Most modern laptops have 2 memory sockets - you probably have 2 that can support 128Mb each.

Using PC133 on a PC100 system is not a problem BUT I wouldn't recommend it if it's not specifically listed for that laptop. If that's the price for their generic PC133 then it may not work on that lappy.

Only use memory that's listed for that specific lappy model in Crucial's database - anything else is taking a chance. Laptops are REAL fussy about memory.

It's not unusual that PC133 is cheaper. PC100 is not being manufactured much anymore and thus is more expensive only because it's rarer.

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 7:46 pm

Yeah, just like how DDR is cheaper than SDR now too.

I think if my dad decides to get more ram, we'll be going that route, it's not worht the $3 in savings.

TruckStuff · Post by **TruckStuff** » Tue Jul 01, 2003 8:31 am

Sean-
I would be careful with what is in crucial, just because they don't provide you with any details. I looked up my laptop and ordered what appeared to be the exact same thing from newegg and it didn't work. All crucial said was "144pin SODIMM PC100". They also only listed a 128Mb module on crucial. I wound up ordering a 256 module from some place else (the manual said it could take 256), and it works fine now. At least I'm only out $6 on the newegg RMA. Cheap lesson.

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Tue Jul 01, 2003 9:10 am

Yeah, I'll just buy from Crucial if I end up getting more ram.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Tue Jul 01, 2003 9:11 am

LET ME BE CLEAR

Do NOT just use Crucial's database as a reference. There's more to memory (especially laptop memory) than that.

Memory comes in different internal configurations, and some systems are VERY fussy about this.

I order ALL my memory from Crucial - if you look it up in their database and order it from them, you are guaranteed it will work with that specific system. 'nuff said.

You're not saving much money ordering somewhere else - Crucial has good prices.

TruckStuff · Post by **TruckStuff** » Tue Jul 01, 2003 5:18 pm

You're not saving much money ordering somewhere else - Crucial has good prices.

I'm going to go ahead and disagree on this one. My experience is that Cruical charges at least 150% the cost for equal quality memory. Now, that's not to say that the markup isn't justified in some circumstances, but ordering direct from manufacturers like Crucial and Kingston is for suckers 9 times our of 10. Just my .02.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Tue Jul 01, 2003 5:39 pm

Your call. I've never noticed that much of a difference on desktop ram (granted I deal with granny clients who don't need anything but stock speed memory - not talking about PC3200 here). Since Crucial doesn't charge shipping on orders over $40, and all my orders are always at least that much, I save some on that too.

I can't tell you what the difference is on lappy memory. I just know I got burned A LOT trying to buy lappy memory in the past.

Lappies are VERY fussy. I use Crucial because I KNOW that if I look it up in their database and order it from them, it'll WORK.