One of the questions most often arising from EEE PC users is about the RAM expandability of Asus’ subnotebook, its compatibility with the existing O.S. (Xandros) and, of course, the chance to void the EEE PC warranty in pursuing such a hardware operation.
Let’s take into account the EEE PC 701 4G model with 512 MB of RAM memory, which is particularly fitted for such an upgrade, having a comfortable panel that can be easily removed at its bottom, and will surely benefit from the addition of at least 512 MB more.
First of all, as you can read from an Asus official letter about RAM expansion and warranty, opening the bottom panel with the removal of its two screws and the corresponding adhesive label that covers them, will not void your warranty at all. Under the panel you will find a slot which contains one DIMM memory module, so you can just put a 1 GB or 2 GB module after removing the original 512 MB one.
The EEE PC 701 4G model uses DDR2 SODIMM (pc5400) 667 MHz ram modules and has just one slot available.
Second, you can easily (and cheaply) swap your 512 MB RAM DIMM module with a 1 GB one without worrying about O.S. issues, but installing a 2 GB DIMM module we’ll need a ‘kernel recompilation’ if you’re using the original Xandros Linux version, and believe me it’s not an easy task. If, instead, you’ve installed some other flavour of Linux (for example Ubuntu) or Windows on your EEE PC, you’ll be able to enjoy the 2 GB of RAM straight away.
Third, if you need some pictures describing this operation, German CHIP magazine Web site has three very clear snapshots in this slideshow, just be sure to click on pictures number 5, 6 and 7.
Fourth, you may prefer a video to have a more clear description of the steps required to open the EEE PC bottom panel and change the RAM module. In this case, just watch this YouTube video which describes the EEE PC RAM upgrade. If that’s not enough, maybe this other EEE PC RAM upgrade video has a better close-up and you’ll find it more satisfying.
Finally, if you’re wondering about the chance to upgrade to 4GB of RAM (and God knows why you’re going to need them on such a machine!) the EEE PC informations on Wikipedia say that its hardware just supports up to 2 GB of RAM, so please cease and desist.
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