TOSHIBA P30....2 QUESTIONS

so you cant upgrade memory AT ALL, not even if u take it to a computer store?

Yes you can upgrade memory, you can read in the specifications upto how much you can do this (usually its 1GB-2GB). What the other user meant is that you have to check how into how many sets of RAM is the 512MB divided into. Can be only 1 set of 512MB, or 2 sets of 256MB which adds to the 512MB. That way when you upgrade to say 1GB, you only buy one stick of 512MB RAM or you take out the two 256MB sticks of RAM and replace them with two 512MB sticks of RAM.

Hope that helped.

What I mean is if you order a computer that has 2 slots full (2x256 mb = 512mb in many cases) you have to remove RAM to add more and this is a complete waste of money and memory.

If you order 256mb 1 slot or 512mb 1 slot you have the 2nd available slot to add more RAM later and not waste what you already have (some desktops have 4 slots of memory but notebooks are only 2 slots).

As for what I warned you about the video memory -- if you get shared/integrated video memory on a notebook is is NOT upgradeable at all like a desktop with an expansion slot.

You have to be absolutely sure you buy dedicated video memory if you want it and get how much dedicated video memory you think you will need as once you buy it that is fixed. But if you think you will never play any demanding games or high end video programs (or video editing) then you can go with integrated video graphics (but at the expense of 32mb or 64mb of your RAM being taken away or 'shared' by the integrated video.

If you get dedicated video your system has full use of all of your RAM for other uses ...........

NO NO NO i was probably not very specific, what i meant was the VIDEO MEMORY. is that NEVER upgradeable, once u buy it , you're NEVER can modify. and the seconf part was that can u take it to a computer hardware store to get it upgradeed the VIDEO MEMORY?

A notebook has a proprietary motherboard and bios. It has very limited space unlike a desktop which has generic expansion slots to add a video card, a 2nd hard drive, or other peripheral at anytime.

In notebooks, the video card is most often soldered to the motherboard. Also, they are relatively expensive. If you video card fails then warranty can put in a new one but otherwise the cost is too expensive.

If you buy a notebook initially with shared video memory (integrated) it is unlikely there is any space at all (and the bios is not set up for) dedicated video.

If you buy a notebook with 32mb dedicated video memory and it has an option for 64mb dedicated (or 128mb dedicated in some cases) you could upgrade but it would be expensive to purchase an upgrade card and to pay someone to solder it in. If you tried to buy a video upgrade card for that notebook that worked and opened up the notebook to solder it yourself you would void the warranty if anything went wrong (but some people have done this that made a bad decision and were technically expert).

The simple answer for most people is this -- your video memory is not upgradeable after the purchase so this should be your #1 choice before purchase of a notebook (even over the processor type, the amount of RAM (easily upgradeable but only 2 slots), hard drive speed and capacity (also upgradeable), and optical drive (you can upgrade in some cases or buy an external USB 2.0 or firewire external drive later).

On a model with Dedicated video memory (an ATI or Nvidia video card) often the difference between 32mb and 64mb dedicated memory is only $50-$75 so you should at least get 64mb (HP/Compaq, Dell and some Toshibas can be custom ordered as well as IBM's, etc online) -- 128mb dedicated video is only on some models and a bit more pricey but it is cheaper to get it upfront if you want it.

Choose wisely and buy a dedicated video memory notebook because if you get shared/integrated and need dedicated video later you are sunk.

If you really want to save money upfront and have the ability to add a video card later you should be buying a desktop and not a notebook.

64mb dedicated video is enough to play many mainstream games (like Doom 3) on reducted settings -- 32mb dedicated may not play some of these at all but it is still better than shared/integrated video. 128mb is the best in a notebook for true gamers (on the Dell 8600 for example as an option or the Acer Ferrari) but that pushes the notebook cost closer to or over $2,000

256mb dedicated video is only available in very specialized notebooks and is too pricey -- if you want this much you should buy a desktop like the Dell XPS.

Also, to be clear, on my Compaq X1000 / HPZT3000 series for example (X1000forums.com) it has either 32mb dedicated video or 64mb dedicated video only (see X1000forums.com) -- there was someone who posted photos there on how you could upgrade the video card from one to the other (but as I said it is soldered)../

The problem is that the cost of a 64mb dedicated ATI 9200 video card in this case (that is the only one you can use) is several hundered dollars and that is not the cost of labor (If not a warranty replacement).

The difference to go between the 32mb and 64mb when custom ordering is only $50-$75 so you can you see what I am saying here.

You can't upgrade a notebook that starts with shared/video memory likely at all (that doesn't include dedicated video as an option. You can upgrade a notebook with dedicated video but at a very high cost (both upgrade part and labor) and it is not a pop in upgrade (soldered).

Also, this type of stuff (opening up the notebooks internal circuity by removing keyboard) would void your manufacturer warranty so doing something like this would be at your own risk and only a good idea if out of warranty (And then at full risk of a complete loss).

That is the bottom line. RAM upgrades are easy, Hard drive upgrades are moderately easy (you have know how to reload the operating system and drivers and transfer data from the old hard drive if desired) and the minipci (wi-fi) card can be upgraded in some cases (but some bioses only recognize official built in wi-fi cards). Even the cpu processor is easier to upgrade (within the same processor family in most cases)

Video memory should be thougt of as a fixed purchase on a notebook just as a car's engine is -- only the very technically savvy would buy a car and upgrade the engine later.

I, for example, did buy the Compaq X1000 / HPZT3000 (see X1000forums.com) with dedicated video 32mb on a prebuilt (store bought) model which is better than shared video but I cannot play certain games on it as that requires the 64mb dedicated video or higher.

I know for next time to order custom from HP/Compaq, Dell, or Toshiba to get the best options at the lowest price (particularly HP/Compaq).

The link is no longer valid.

If you will not need the notebook for games like Doom 3, Half Life 2, etc (primarily using notebook for Microsoft Office, E-mail, and web surfing) than shared video memory is ok and cheaper but it does use up a chunk of your system RAM so you might want a bit more to compensate for that.

Othewise, if you want a notebook that is more versatile for future needs (including possible video editing from a digital camcorder) than buying at least 64mb dedicated video is preferable and you can find a lot of models with 64mb dedicated video (ATI or Nvidia video card) in the $1,000-$1,700 range - and there are some with 128mb dedicated video like the Dell 8600 (Centrino) or HP zd7000 (Pentium 4M) that are better yet for gaming that are available still at under $2,000 depending on other options on the notebook.