Your Computer – Champion Multi-Tasker or not?

Still having issues with speed on your computer? Stop – how many tasks are you asking your computer to do right now? If you are like me, you have a couple (or more) browsers windows open; you are copying a recipe into a word document; the Spider Solitaire game you started is waiting and you have just opened the Excel spreadsheet to check the kids’ baseball schedule. Oh, and you are playing a CD – I mean after all – what is the point of the media player? No wonder your computer is slow. How many things can you juggle at once before becoming inefficient? 

Actually, computers are designed to handle many different tasks at the same time. They are built with RAM (random access memory) that allows the computer to quickly process the information required for multiple tasks. RAM has been compared to short term memory. When you open a program, the RAM grabs the instructions for the program from the hard drive so that as you use the program your computer looks no further than the RAM to execute it. This really speeds things up. It like when you go to make a cup of coffee. You do not need to tell your arm and hand what to do in order to open the bag of coffee. You really do not even think about the steps. That is what the RAM is doing with the info from the hard drive. Plus it is then storing all the information that you may be inputting. Once you turn off your computer, whatever is stored in RAM is lost. And the next time you turn on your machine and open a program, RAM retrieves the instructions again.  

Some programs use a lot of RAM – after all the software has become more sophisticated and more capable of doing amazing things. If you have an older computer (which could mean just 3 or 4 years old) it may be time to upgrade your RAM. Adding more will almost always help your computer’s speed. It can be costly to add more RAM so you will need to weigh the cost of adding this hardware versus the cost of buying a new computer especially if your computer is an older model. If you decide you are going to stick with it, then additional RAM is a worthwhile investment.  

Installing RAM can be tricky. So if you are not a computer tech, call or stop by to see the guys at Advanced Computer Services. They can make a recommendation as to how much new RAM you will need and then they can install it for you. You can reach them at 330-785-5200 or online at www.acsoutlet.com/service/contact.asp. Or stop by 800 S. Broadway St in downtown Akron, Ohio. These guys are top notch and they know what they are doing.  Plus,they will install your memory for only $15.00! (that does not include the cost of the hardware.)

Happy Multi-Tasking! I need to finish my Spider Solitaire game now.