Did you realize that all computer memory that you may buy from a retailer is not created equal? When shopping for computer memory RAM online it is easy to allow yourself to make choices based solely on price… but you may actually be getting far less than you bargained for!

As someone who has been in the computer memory business for more than 13 years, I've seen it all! As the owner of a trusted computer memory store with a mission to provide quality products and consumer education, my goal is to help you make the right choices the first time without any surprises.

When buying computer memory online or in a store, you've got to know what to look for. Computer memory is something that everyone needs, yet most people don't know a lot about, so it can be for this simple purchase to turn into a frustration. Unfortunately, because of this combination, there are companies who will take advantage of the fact that most buyers are not necessarily tech-savvy – but it doesn’t have to be this way!

In this HUB, I will highlight possible pitfalls that you could run into when buying computer memory online or from your local superstore. We'll walk through the different types of computer memory and show you how to determine what kind of memory your computer needs. Along the way, we'll discuss many different tips and tricks for getting you the best online memory for your computer and your exact needs.

Whenever you buy any product, there are some obvious quality and legitimacy checks that you need to complete. But when you buy memory, there are some not-so-obvious problems that can cause huge trouble for you down the road.

Pitfall #1: Repackaged Memory

Did you know that some companies actually repackage used memory and sell it as new? This is memory that has been pulled from other computers, cleaned up, and placed on the shelf like it's a new product.

Not only will it not be cutting edge technology, it may even be defective - and you would never know.

One of the best ways to determine the presence of repackaged memory is to look for a lifetime warranty. Because I only offer new, quality computer memory at House of Memory, I can offer a 100% lifetime warranty with absolute confidence. Only a company that sells quality memory would want to put a lifetime warranty on the product: if it's going to break, then they don't want to be responsible for fixing it. When you see a website that offers lifetime warranties on all of its products, you can buy with confidence, knowing that you're getting new memory that isn't repackaged.

Pitfall #2: Steering You In The Direction Of Higher Profit Products That Aren't Best For You

In any retail situation, some products will naturally have a higher profit margin for the company than others. Some companies that are more concerned with profits than serving their customers with integrity are more likely to push those higher profit margin products on you – even if it's not what is best for you.

Oftentimes, companies may make a higher profit from a lower memory speed, even though the higher speed would serve you better. Sales people in stores have got to meet certain sales and personal income goals. This is not to say that people are malicious. Many sales clerks are young or paid low base wages and don't actually know what you need. Online, many of the companies you find are actually 'box movers' that aren't necessarily experts in computer memory. The way they set up the online store shopping mechanism may be geared toward selling more quantities of lower capacity RAM than fewer quantities of higher capacity RAM.

As a consumer, this is something you may never be aware of and there aren't simple cut and dry litmus tests to ensure your getting the right product. My best advice is to choose a company that you know is owned by someone who is an expert because they will have the knowledge to not only answer your questions, but also code their website to allow customers to find their optimal memory solution – regardless of the company’s profits.

Pitfall #3: Hidden Fees

To most computer users, computer RAM seems "all the same" regardless of where it's purchased. Because of this, its an item that people will 'bargain hunt' for online. But beware of websites that offer a shockingly low price on memory. First off, it might not be good quality memory. But even if it is, you might find that you more than make up the cost in shipping. Companies are increasingly choosing to lower face prices to 'hook' consumers who are price-shopping and then make shipping expensive, pocketing the extra shipping money as though it were just another part of the retail price.

Of course, this doesn't change anything for you: you still pay as much as if shipping were reasonable, and you'll usually end up paying more. If you suspect that a company is trying to overcharge you for shipping, deal with someone else. When I'm shopping online, I get really frustrated when at the end of my shopping experience I'm hit with all kinds of hidden fees. That's why at House of Memory we offer free shipping and no extra hidden fees at the checkout. When you get to the cart, you pay for exactly what you expected for what is in your basket, and no more.

Memory is as variable as the computer it is intended for. Almost every computer manufacturer will provide its own company memory, detailed to fit a particular computer model. But despite company differences, there are a number of basic categories that classify all types of memory.

• DDR. DDR (double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory) is a memory technology that uses double pumping to move data faster over the memory chip, giving a speedy performance that boosts your computer's efficiency. DDR memory comes in many different sizes, giving you a lot of choice about what you install in your computer.
  
  
• DDR2. DDR2 SDRAM is an abbreviation for double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory second generation. This type of memory is in some cases replacing the DDR memory thanks to its increased speed: the DDR2 memory takes advantage of some clever tricks that improve the functioning of traditional DDR memory, giving up to twice the speed of DDR. DDR2 is also available in many different sizes.
  
  
• SDRAM. SDRAM considers both DDR and DDR2. Since the two types of RAM function in much the same way, they are both considered synchronous dynamic random access memory. The SDRAM has the functionality of a DDR or DDR2 type of memory - it's just a broad classification of memory to which both of those belong.
  
  
• RAMBUS. Designed by the RAMBUS company, this type of RAM is synchronous dynamic RAM. It provides good speed and efficiency, working differently from SDRAM but providing similar benefits.
  
  
• Hard Drives. This is the basic storage space of your computer. Everything you do, from program files right on to document storage, goes here.
  
  
• Video Memory. This memory is specifically used for video display. There are usually separate memory pathways for this, precisely programmed to enable fast video viewing.

With specific memory requirements for virtually every single make and model of desktop computer memory and laptop computer memory, you may be wondering how in the world you will pinpoint the exact type you need – on the first try.

There are a lot of variables to consider, but the key point will be ensuring that your memory is compatible with your computer. For example, a Dell computer memory upgrade will require a different type of memory than a Compaq RAM memory upgrade. Even within the brand, there are differences. HP Pavillion RAM is different from HP notebook RAM.

You'll notice in this image, that even within the HP Pavillions, there are numerous models. Each model may need a different type of computer memory. However, when using a site with a good, trusted computer memory search engine, finding the right RAM for your computer is simple:

Your owner's manual should be able to tell you exactly what your computer requires, but if you're like most people, you don't have that handy. Guessing isn't a wise idea – never try to install memory that is larger than your computer can handle - it won't help, and could seriously compromise your computer.

I know how problematic finding the right type of memory can be for most shoppers. This is exactly why we created a drill-down computer memory search engine when we developed House of Memory. This computer memory search engine allows you to start your search by choosing your computer make, then drilling down to the model, and then displays the exact computer memory for your exact computer.

Once you drill down, you'll notice that there are different sizes of memory. It's normally more economical to go with the larger because more RAM translates directly to more computer speed. Even if you don't think you need the extra speed right now, you may add more programs or applications in the future, slowing you down if your memory can't keep up. There are a number of reasons that you may be buying memory, but one of the core benefits of a memory upgrade is speed – and you can never have too much of that!

Browsing should be simple, rather than a chore. For added convenience, we've also incorporated multiple ways to search the stock: by computer brand, by model number, by type of memory, and more. When buying computer memory, you shouldn't have to dig out computer manuals or pour through the computer manufacturer's website or dig through forums for answers.

And before you push that "buy" button online or slide your card at the store, make sure that wherever you're buying the computer memory from store has a warrantee: memory is usually rather durable, but it's always better to be safe than sorry!

Once you're sure that you have the right memory for your computer, the next step is installing it! It may seem complicated, but it's not as hard as you may think. This video from "Be Your Own IT" explains how to Add or Replace RAM in your computer:

When you're aware of the nuances and potential pitfalls of buying computer memory, then you can easily upgrade your computer RAM with easy. Find a retailer you can trust, offering great memory and great value, and you'll be glad that you bought your memory online. Your product will arrive promptly, ready for you to install and enjoy!