Help me make the right purchases plz

[BIT_IFFY]

Hi everyone,

I have recently bought myself a X220 which i adore!!! Its got a i7 CPU, with 320gb HDD, and 4gb RAM. I didnt get it massively spec'd from the factory as i had a strict budget. I thought it best to get a solid platform and trick it up as i can afford it later.

Im using it for university (doing a masters of computing), and making music (Reason, NI's Maschine etc, Live8).

My future plans for my pride and joy are a msata SSD, im thinking about a 256gb one, 128gb at a minimum. and bumping up the ram.

I'm in australia and the msata SSDs are somewhat thin on the ground here (that's an understatement actually, iv asked in computer stores and get blank stares like they think im an idiot. The ppl iv asked had to look it up on google before they believed me ). getting hold of people face to face that can give me advice isn't easy. So i figure some of you lovely people might be able to help. Any opinions on whats good and whats to be avoided, msata-wise?

However, my most immediate purchase it going to be some RAM, i have a spare slot (i specified 1 stick of 4gb from new) so im thinking to get another 4gb stick. But i just dont know too much about the ins and outs of RAM brands. Theres 4gb sticks from about $18 to $50 here, 8gb stick from $38+ (all 1333 SODIMM, brands: Patriot, g-skill, Kingston. 4gb($18 - $20), 8gb ($38 - $42)) The lenovo OE 4gb being $39 right now i think. Whats the difference between the cheaper ones, the more expensive ones, and the OE brand(Samsung, i just looked)? Are there performance issues, or reliability problems? Warranty issues using non OE RAM?
My thinking is, that i made the effort in researching out the best laptop for my purposes (small, light, and mobile, for alot of lugging around, yet powerful and rugged, and also with a great keyboard [I'm not a fan of regular laptop chicklety button things]), hence i payed a not inconsiderable amount of money for a good quality product (but i think all in all, i got a bargain), so i don't want to use substandard parts when upgrading. I do realize that there can be a difference between price and quality, and that just because something is expensive doesn't necessarily mean its better than the rest.

Wow, that turned out to be a bit of an essay.

Hopefully you're not all sick of answering questions like this

Please, feel free to educate and inform me

Cheers, IFFY

[RealBlackStuff]

More than 4GB RAM can only be accessed if you have a 64-bit Windows.
The 32-bit version is limited to ~3-3.25GB RAM.
Basically any brand-name RAM will work without problems.
As to an mSATA SSD, see this: http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Series-Th ... d-p/785325

And BTW, welcome to the forum.

[Cigarguy]

Can't speak to the msata as I've never used one.

As for the RAM, I'd get the cheapest RAM that matches your existing RAM specs wise. Easiest way is to simply open up the laptop and look at the existing RAM. You'll have to do this to install the new RAM anyways.

[BIT_IFFY]

Thanks for your replies. I'll go try a cheap stick of ram n see how it goes. For the moment il go with an extra 4gb. If i need more later i can change. I'll go buy that on Tuesday after my java exam (definitely a bit nervous: STUDY STUDY STUDY!!!!!).

The msata ssd link didnt really say much. I'd like to know more about the products available, and peoples opinions if they've tried them. I have googled them and read reviews, but there's no substitute for real world experiences to aid your buying decisions. Its not like i can just pop down the road and buy one. Its definitely a 'import from the US item" so i'd like to know the best one to buy right from the start to avoid the agro of wasting money, laptop down time, and reinstalling the OS and software more than necessary.

Cheers, IFFY

[RealBlackStuff]

It seems your X220 can take up to 16GB RAM!
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Series-Ta ... d-p/602637
In the same thread someone has good things to say about an Intel mSATA drive.

[BIT_IFFY]

It seems your X220 can take up to 16GB RAM!

Nice!! I had been wondering about it, the space being there for 16gb but only 8gb being in the bumpf from lenovo.

At the moment i dont think i need the whole 16gb, so plumping $20 give or take for an extra 4gig seems the sensible option (But there is that devil on my shoulder going "Nah, screw the 4gig, get a stick of 8gb at least!!")

I did see the post on the intel msata ssd, i was just hoping that more people would chime in with some more options and opinions for me.

Thanks for your help RealBlackStuff

Cheers, IFFY