We often get asked about the ideal amount of RAM in laptops, a very fair and sensible question. Currently (early 2026), there is a huge worldwide RAM shortage, pushing prices up considerably - more than double what they were in early/mid 2025, but RAM is essential for a laptop so we can't just not install what is needed.
RAM is often confused with storage - RAM is memory, and SSD (Solid State Drive) is storage. The RAM helps your computer process data and tasks, whilst storage is where things are stored - photos, video, and applications.
You can ignore this next paragraph, if your question is just about how much you need - it's just a bit of tech nerd talk about RAM spec. The newest type of RAM is known as DDR5, becoming more and more common in newer laptops. The majority of refurbished machines we sell have DDR4, currently 15% offer DDR5 (this wise rise over time). The main difference is the improvements in speed and bandwith, DDR5 currently being up to double the speed of DDR4, meaning it can process more data more quickly. In real use terms it means that 8GB of DDR5 4800 will give you an everyday computing performance similar to that of 12GB of DDR4 3200 - it's not an exact science when comparing the two but that is a general guideline.
As a starting point we would not recommend looking at any machine with just 4GB of DDR4 RAM, unless it is being used for very basic computing tasks - just for emails for example. 4GB of DDR5 will be just about fine for using web based homework for primary schoolers for example, or for checking your online banking, shopping, weather, etc. but anything beyond that and you will get a much better user experience with 8GB or more.
We often upgrade our laptops to 16GB of RAM, meaning that you have plenty of headroom over and above what you will actually need. 8GB would be fine for most people when paired with a fast SSD (as we have in all of our laptops), and is a fair base spec for web browsing, email, office apps, streaming video, playing light online games (Roblox, Minecraft, etc), and light photo edits. If your laptop use goes beyond this, then 16GB will make a huge difference. If you want to have lots of tabs open, or regularly switch between apps and processes, or venture in to some more detailed photo and video editing then 16GB is where you need to start.
Gaming, design, VR, and advanced video editing are a step up again, 16GB will do the job for many tasks, and run lots of gaming titles, but not give the best user experience. Processing and load times will be slower when your system is pushed, and looking at 32GB or even more, is what we would recommend.
RAM is very important in any laptop or desktop PC, but it is not the be all and end all - always look at the SSD and the processor too. If you have 16GB of RAM with an old laptop with slow SSD and processor, then you will bottleneck with some tasks, and not be getting the best end user experience. Older laptops (8-10 years for example), can provide a great value option when upgraded, but only if they are up to doing what you need - otherwise the money spent on a new SSD and RAM maybe be a waste.
Please get in touch if you need any specific advice, we are not all about sale talk, we'd rather guide you correctly and if we can find something that works then great, but always happy to just give advice for free and leave you to the end buying decision.
email us: sales@thetechoutlet.co.uk or phone us on 01618508501, or chat via the link to the bottom left.