pc's for Web browser workstations (RAM prices)

[Richard Wiggins]

You don't have to go mail order to get amazing prices for RAM these days. The street price for 128M SDRAM in the local ma-and-pa computer store is $19, has been for several weeks.   If you're upgrading a fleet it might be worth going mail order, but the prices are so astonishingly low now it's a good deal everywhere.

At these prices, if the hard disk on the PC is making any noise at all w/ multiple windows open it's worth adding memory.  Someone with a fleet of public PCs with say 64M RAM could stave off buying replacement PCs by adding memory.

It's a little disappointing that Dell et al are still charging $80 to $100 for what could be had for under $20.  For some people who never take the cover off a PC it's probably worth the premium.  Although the process is pretty simple, some compact designs make it harder than it ought to be.  I added memory to a P-III HP Pavilion and had to take the power supply and fan out to get to the spot on the mainboard.

/rich

On Wed, 26 September 2001, "Adriana Edward-Johnson" wrote:

> 
> Sometimes Dan worries me with some of his postings (no offense intended Dan)
> but I do agree with him here.  And I can vouch for crucial.com.  My husband
> & I have purchased RAM from them for various pc's (work, home, etc...)and
> they are well priced, speedy with delivery, & friendly to use.  And for
> those who aren't quite sure what sticks they need crucial.com has a nice
> walk through menu to help you figure out what sticks work in your pc.
> (I don't own stock in them either) :)
> --
> Adriana Edwards-Johnson
> Government Publications Librarian
> University of Central Oklahoma
> aedwards at ucok.edu
> http://library.ucok.edu/gov/
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: web4lib at webjunction.org
> [mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Dan Lester
> Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2001 9:56 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: pc's for Web browser workstations
> 
> 
> One other thought on RAM.  If you buy extra RAM when you order the
> computer you'll generally pay a major premium for it.
> 
> You can currently buy 256MB sticks from crucial.com (the marketing arm
> of Micron, America's mfgr of RAM), for $34.19.  Yes, that's 133mhz.
> 
> They cut prices for quantity and for educational or nonprofit.
> 
> When you increase RAM from 256 to 512, for example, you'll pay MUCH
> more for the increase.  And, almost any idiot can stick the RAM in the
> box.
> 
> All that being said, you can get good prices from other sources too,
> all better than the prices you'll pay to have some guy drop it in the
> box when it is built.  And, NO, I don't own any stock in Micron.
> 
> dan
> 

Richard Wiggins
Writing, Speaking, and Consulting on Internet Topics
rich at richardwiggins.com       www.richardwiggins.com