Memory is the part of a computer system that stores data. Since all computers really do is handle data, memory plays an important role in it.

The amount of memory a computer can store and the speed with which the data can be stored/retrieved dictate a good part of the computer’s power. While there is more than one kind of memory, for the purpose of this definition we’re referring to the physical memory used by the computer to store and retrieve information during the time programs are running. This memory is known as RAM, which stands for Random Access Memory.

Typically a computer’s memory can be or should be upgraded (replaced with bigger memory circuits) at low cost to a consumer.

Why would you want to do that? Without getting technical, if a computer is using most of its physical memory, it will be heavily using the paging file, a big file in the hard disk used as memory. Access times to the hard disk are much slower than to the RAM, and thus when the computer needs to read and write to the memory, it slows down considerably.

That’s why the solution most usually suggested is to increase the amount of RAM.  The other side of the coin would be to ensure that useless programs (we call these bloatware) are not running, as they consume memory but do not necessarily add anything to the computer’s performance.

While upgrading your memory or getting rid of bloatware can be a relatively easy task, it is best done by a professional who knows what they’re doing while performing such tasks in your computer.  This is for a few reasons.  First, choosing the wrong type of memory can result in incompatibility issues, wasting valuable time and potentially damaging the unit. Attempting to remove bloatware without understanding your systems fully can potentially remove wrong applications “ some of which may be vitally needed for the computer to operate at all.
 
If you can see this could be a problem you are running into, feel free to let me know.  The professionals in my office can take a look and suggest the proper direction you should take to handle your specific situation.