On board memory recommended?

[shaqblogs2011]

I was exploring for an asus laptop and was recommended this one.
i3-2350M 2nd Gen

I was exploring for one with either Win7 or DOS, and found an equivalent one. This comes with DOS.
i3-2350M 2nd Gen
But this has on board memory. (See way down below - 'Note')

1. Is it a good idea to go for onboard memory?
2. Does it work similar to OnBoard graphics? (No assumptions please)
So If memory goes bad, I would like to disable the OnBoard memory and installed fresh ones and continue like nothing happened. (Or would I have to dump the mobo if on board memory goes bad?)

 

[coastie65]

Hi. That is the memory that is installed. It has two slots that you can install memory in. With 6Gb you will have one stick at 4 Gb and the other at 2Gb. I am not a fan of this arraingement. I Prefer to have a matched set, meaning a matched pair of 2Gb sticks for a total of 4Gb or a matched pair of 4gb sticks for a total of 8Gb. With integrated graphics, that means the memory the Graphics memory is shared with the System Memory, so I would opt for 8Gb of RAM. Memory rarely goes bad. You do not have to disable anything to change the Ram. Just turn off the power and unplug it. There is a small door on the back with a screw to remove and then open the door to change it out.

 

[jaguarskx]

1. Generally embedded RAM is okay. I believe many if not all have embedded RAM and an available RAM slot for you to add more RAM.
2. RAM is just RAM whether it is embedded into the motherboard or if it is inserted into a RAM slot.
3. If the embedded RAM goes bad I am pretty sure you will need have a technician replace the RAM. I do not believe you wan disable embedded RAM from the BIOS. Then again, I do not have a laptop with embedded RAM.

 

[coastie65]

1. Generally embedded RAM is okay. I believe many if not all have embedded RAM and an available RAM slot for you to add more RAM.
2. RAM is just RAM whether it is embedded into the motherboard or if it is inserted into a RAM slot.
3. If the embedded RAM goes bad I am pretty sure you will need have a technician replace the RAM. I do not believe you wan disable embedded RAM from the BIOS. Then again, I do not have a laptop with embedded RAM.

There is no "Embedded" RAM. The only RAM is the installed SoDimm sticks that are in the slots and can be easily replaced. ONboard / Integrated Graphics share system RAM, which is the installed RAM. If you have Dedicated Graphics, then it will have it's own memory. Generally those are the higher end and higher priced Lappies.

 

[shaqblogs2011]

Hi. That is the memory that is installed. It has two slots that you can install memory in. With 6Gb you will have one stick at 4 Gb and the other at 2Gb. I am not a fan of this arraingement. I Prefer to have a matched set, meaning a matched pair of 2Gb sticks for a total of 4Gb or a matched pair of 4gb sticks for a total of 8Gb. With integrated graphics, that means the memory the Graphics memory is shared with the System Memory, so I would opt for 8Gb of RAM. Memory rarely goes bad. You do not have to disable anything to change the Ram. Just turn off the power and unplug it. There is a small door on the back with a screw to remove and then open the door to change it out.

Crazy naming conventions. I thought by "OnBoard memory" they meant soldered to the mobo.

Does it mean I wont be able to use it in Dual channel and get most of RAM speeds? Like 2 + 2 GB?
(I dont see the need of more than 4GB for my need.)

EDIT: Got it. Max is 6Gigs. So 4+4 wont work. 2 + 2 will. and 2 + 4.

 

[k1114]

The x54c has onboard memory which is ram that is soldered to the mobo and it also has 1 other ram slot. On this laptop, the onboard cannot be disabled and people report if it goes bad, there is nothing you can do about it until it is replaced which will cost a lot. The f501a only has 1 ram slot so would have less ram and be limited to single channel. It's also a lot harder to get into with no maintenance hatch on bottom.

All onboard graphics are on the cpu these days and the cpus of these laptops are removable. But this does not mean it will accept different model cpus as the bios needs to be compatible as well as the power brick being able to supply enough power. Graphics memory will share memory no matter if you have dedicated graphics or integrated. This shared amount is usable by both the system and gpu and is automatically set by windows. But the igpu has no dedicated vram and will take a dedicated amount which will not be usable by the system. These laptops don't seem to have an option in bios to change it manually and will be dynamically controlled and ranges from 64mb-1.7gb. System ram will take priority.

 

[coastie65]

Yeah, I was just looking here and it is a single slot. Don't see many of them. In fact I don't remember seeing any, although I have heard of quad slots, but haven't seen those either. http/www.crucial.com/upgrade/ASUS-memory/ASUS+Notebooks/X54C-upgrades.html

The F501a has two slots:

 

[k1114]

Most ultrabooks are like that. The f501a is 1 slot. I can clearly see it says 2 slots on flipkart but this is incorrect info and many of the listings on the site are incorrect.

 

[shaqblogs2011]

Thanks. I was suspecting it is soldered. Just wanted to confirm. No way am going for it.
Was looking for a good reliable laptop with DOS or Windows 7. ASUS with DOS I get back here in India all have onboard memory.
Didnt want to go for Win8, but looks like I am being forced to go for it. (Asus F501A-XX187H)

Most ultrabooks are like that. The f501a is 1 slot. I can clearly see it says 2 slots on flipkart but this is incorrect info and many of the listings on the site are incorrect.

...think I can live with this as long as it is detachable memory.
Usage is mostly browsing.

Yes, that website does not give accurate specs and I did not find the same model in ASUS website.

 

[coastie65]

THis is from ASUS's site: http/www.asus.com/in/Notebooks_Ultrabooks/F501AXX187R/#specifications