Tech Teacher

Author/Source: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, ZDNET See the full link here

Takeaway

This article helps you figure out the right amount of RAM, or computer memory, your Windows or Mac computer will need in 2025. You’ll learn how different activities like browsing, gaming, or editing videos require different amounts of RAM to run smoothly.

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Technical Subject Understandability

Intermediate

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Analogy/Comparison

Think of RAM as your computer’s desk where it does all its active work. A bigger desk (more RAM) means your computer can have more projects open at once and switch between them without slowing down.

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Why It Matters

Having enough RAM keeps your computer running fast and prevents it from freezing or crashing, especially when you have many programs open. For example, the article explains that heavy tasks like video editing or professional photo manipulation will be frustratingly slow if your computer doesn’t have sufficient RAM.

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Related Terms

RAM, SSD, CPU, GPU, Virtual Memory, Memory Swap. Jargon Conversion: RAM (Random Access Memory) is like your computer’s short-term memory, holding data it’s actively using to run programs quickly. SSD (Solid State Drive) is a very fast type of storage that can sometimes act as extra, slower temporary memory if your computer runs out of RAM. CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the main part of your computer that carries out instructions and does calculations. GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is a specialized part that quickly handles images, videos, and graphics for games or design programs. Virtual Memory is when your computer uses a part of your regular storage drive, like an SSD, to pretend it’s more RAM when your actual RAM is full. Memory Swap is the process of your computer moving information back and forth between its fast RAM and slower virtual memory on your storage drive.