Thinkpads Forum

I have a 760EL with 72 MB and a 380ED with only 48 MB, so
would like to know if I can swap RAM to beef up the newer and
more powerful 380ED.

Yes, both laptops use the same type of RAM. The 380 supports 64mb modules whereas the 760EL can only support modules as large as 32mb (64mb sticks usually work but only 32mb is detected). However, both use EDO so you can swap.

Thanks for the prompt reply.
I just opened each laptop. The 760EL has two 32MB sticks in it,
and the 380ED only has room for one stick(under bottom panel) and it is also a 32MB.
Is there another panel somewhere else on the 380 with an empty
RAM slot? or is getting a 64MB stick the only way to upgrade the 380ED memory?

You'll have to get a 64mb stick. There's only one RAM slot.

Thanks.
I also just saw that when doing searches at memory
expansion websites.
It's too bad they improve on somethings, and go a step backward
on other things.

Well, the 380 is a newer laptop but the 760 was marketed as being higher end. The 760XD/XL and 765D/L added support for 64mb chips.

If you need anything else, feel free to ask.

Thanks again for the clarification.
I am also curious, will the 32MB Ram chips I have in both laptops
be usable in a 770E?

No. The 770E uses PC66 RAM. However, if you have any PC100 or PC133 chips, those will also work in a 770E. I know the 770E supports up to 128mb per stick but I'm not sure if a low density 256mb chip will work or not.