Dell Inspiration 8100/4100 memory upgrades...

[mindiris]

I am getting a Dell Inspiration 8100 or 4100 notebook soon. After doing some simple math, Dell seems to want to charge $150 for a PC133 256MB SODIMM.

Crucial sells the same thing for $55.79. What I'm thinking is, anyone own these notebooks know if these notebooks "user" upgradable? Or do I have to unscrew 50 different things just to expose the slots?

The question is important. I want to see if I can cram a 64MB Radeon 7500 into the 8100 for under $2000

 

[apoppin]

Installing my 256MB stick from Crucial was a piece of cake with step by step picture instruction from Dell's manual for my 4100. I now use the 256stick and the Dell 64 stick together for 320MB PC133 total. Works great. About a 5 minute upgrade.

 

[mindiris]

Thanks!

That's all I needed to hear. I might just take the savings and buy a $20 grounding strap just in case

 

[andrew123]

I also ordered memory from crucial (2 256 mb) and put it in myself. I accidentally jammed one in too far, but i eventually got it out and it still works great. Dell charges outrageously for memory when you are ordering a system and most other times.

 

[apoppin]

You're welcome!

And you might as well save the $20 on a grounding strap too.

I think I got mine for about $3 or $4.

BTW, buy your laptop with a VISA Gold card. You can double whatever the manufacturer's warranty is. I got the standard Dell 1 year warranty doubled by VISA (at no extra charge) . . . so I now Have 2 years. It sure saves paying out an extra $120+ for 2 more years Dell warranty.