Is laptop memory hard to buy

[Pentoman]

I'm wanting to upgrade the RAM in my girlfriend's laptop (it's 128mb!!). Some of the 'buy memory upgrades here' websites are suggesting that this notebook, an HP N5412, needs memory with the 'correct chip build' and say that cheaper universal memory advertised elsewhere won't work. Is there any truth in that at all? Or will standard PC133 144pin sodimms off ebay work fine?

I tried the HP support site, but like the support from any large company it's non existant.

[Pentoman]

good idea cpu-z.

Crucial's site has the memory, 512MB for £62, Whereas I've find new similar spec 512 (which should work if I don't get the 'chip build' problem) for £18 on ebay.... hence my question!

It's only old so shelling out £62 on upgrade is not worth it, it could go towards a new one for only £300

[Pentoman]

_Deano said:

Pentoman said:

good idea cpu-z.

Crucial's site has the memory, 512MB for £62, Whereas I've find new similar spec 512 (which should work if I don't get the 'chip build' problem) for £18 on ebay.... hence my question!

It's only old so shelling out £62 on upgrade is not worth it, it could go towards a new one for only £300

I've not looked at the specs for that particluar model, but going on it's only got 128MB RAM and it's around £62 for an upgrade, i would say that it's an old system (3-4years+) and has an old 133MHz FSB, so you are basically throwing money at something that is old hat. I would rather use that extra cash and put it towards a new laptop with a Intel Core 2 Due processor, money better spent in my opinion.

I do subscribe to this opinion too. For example although I didn't really have the money to, when the heatsink/fan mount broke on my motherboard rather than spend £30 on a new motherboard I spent £101 and went up to a dual core processor and 2GB of new, faster ram in addition. I agree spending £62 is not too sensible hence my investigation into cheaper options. The laptop's otherwise in great nick and she doesn't have £250+ to spend on a new one, especially since I just noticed her 106 is 6k past its cambelt change!