What does ram handle in a laptop?

[Varitek11]

I'm trying to understand what RAM does in order to make an educated choice buying a laptop. Thinking about HP Envy vs HP Pavillion but wonder if a notebook will do all I need.
I'll be using it for everyday email and web surfing, banking & shopping i am headed into the world of small business as well.

 

[Adamistr0]

https/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random-access_memory
For internet should be 4GB enough, 8GB is better. But you don't have to worry, RAM is one of few parts in notebooks, which you can upgrade (very cheap: 4GB cost about 20$ here)

 

[jsmithepa]

https/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random-access_memory
For internet should be 4GB enough, 8GB is better. But you don't have to worry, RAM is one of few parts in notebooks, which you can upgrade (very cheap: 4GB cost about 20$ here)

Unless is a Macbook Air which ram are soldered in place, or a notebook where to get to the ram slot you have to disassemble the whole notebook, no easy readily accessible ram compartment.