How Much RAM Do I Need for a Business Laptop? (2024)

“How much RAM do I need for business laptops?” This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions that we receive.

This is not surprising since RAM is integral to the speed and performance of your computer hardware. The requirements of devices for business usually outstrip the RAM needs of a personal use device.

How Much RAM Does Your Laptop Need?

Personal use laptops: 8GB RAM.

Gaming computers: 16GB – 1TB RAM.

Business laptops: 16GB – 32GB RAM.

Personal use laptops – For basic day-to-day home computing, AKA not business work, 8GB of RAM should be sufficient. It should provide good performance for these minimum requirements.

Gaming computers – If your home computer usage includes hardcore gaming and potentially streaming, then this will greatly increase the amount of RAM you require.

Some gamers make do with 16GB but if you want the smoothest experience, with no stuttering on heavy-duty games, then 32GB is the safer option.

If you want to do hardcore gaming, streaming, recording, and multitasking, then it is not uncommon to see these types of gamers opting for 1TB of RAM.

Business laptops – While some very simple and affordable business devices like Chromebooks can be as lean as 8GB, 16GB-32GB is a better recommendation.

16GB will deliver good, reliable results and allows a lot of multitasking, multiple tabs and programmes running. It is also a solid bet if your storage needs will increase over time as some devices are less upgradable in terms of RAM than others.

For any industry where you are using software and programmes than gobble storage, for example, scientific research or video editors, then 32GB is going to make the process much easier when you’re on those time-sensitive deadlines.

The range of 16-32GB is ideal RAM for business laptops.

Why Does A Business Laptop Require More RAM Than Most Personal Devices?

Business laptops typically require more RAM than personal machines due to the demanding nature of professional applications and multitasking needs.

Business laptops often run resource-intensive software, such as productivity suites, data analysis tools, virtualization software, and design applications. These applications consume a significant amount of memory, and insufficient RAM can lead to performance bottlenecks, slowdowns, and decreased productivity.

However, the answer to how much RAM your specific business laptop will need it is not a straightforward one.

The answers provided above are ranges and a simplified explanation.

If you want to know exactly how much RAM your business laptop will require you must understand that it is based on several factors:

• Your job role
• Your industry
• Are you relying on cloud storage or storing all your company files on your computer?

Let’s explore what RAM actually is and the nuance that creates different RAM requirements among companies.

What is RAM?

Random Access Memory, commonly known as RAM, is a type of computer memory that temporarily stores data that the CPU (Central Processing Unit) can access quickly.

RAM allows your laptop to read and write data at high speeds, providing the necessary resources for running applications and processes.

Don’t get RAM confused with other storage drives such as hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs). RAM is different because it does not retain data when the computer is powered off.

How Does RAM Affect Computer Speed and Performance?

RAM plays a pivotal role in determining a computer’s speed and performance.

When you open applications or perform tasks, the operating system loads the required data from storage into RAM.

The more RAM your laptop has, the more data it can store in this temporary memory, reducing the need to access slower storage drives frequently. Consequently, this results in faster application launches, smoother multitasking, and improved overall system responsiveness.

So, now that we fully comprehend what RAM is and how it influences computer performance, we can dig into the business requirements of RAM.

RAM Needs Across Different Business Industries

Different business industries have varying RAM requirements based on the nature of their operations and the software they utilise. For example, industries like graphic design, video editing, engineering, and architecture often work with large files and resource-intensive applications, necessitating higher RAM capacities.

Yet not every industry and its staff job roles will be that demanding of RAM. Sectors focused on administrative tasks, content writing, or financial analysis may require relatively less RAM. Although the modern software involved in FinTech would still vastly outstrip the RAM needs of a basic, personal use laptop.

Assessing the specific software requirements of each industry is crucial to determine the ideal RAM capacity for a business laptop.

Cloud Storage vs. RAM: Benefits and Drawbacks

One other factor in how much RAM you require is how much reliance on the cloud a job role entails.

The advent of cloud storage has significantly impacted RAM needs for businesses. Cloud storage allows businesses to offload storage and processing tasks to remote servers, reducing the reliance on local hardware resources like RAM.

With cloud storage, businesses can store and access files, collaborate in real time, and run applications remotely. This reduces the need for large amounts of local RAM, as data can be fetched on-demand from the cloud.

Businesses can factor this in when selecting laptops to lease for their staff and how much RAM to include. However, you should be aware that relying heavily on cloud storage also introduces potential drawbacks such as internet dependency, security concerns, and potential performance issues in areas with limited connectivity. The best thing to do when choosing device RAM is to speak to professionals in computer hardware, and explain your industry and requirements, and they can help you select the best device and RAM for your staff.