While you may be able to upgrade your laptop’s RAM, there are other ways to ensure you’re getting the most out of your computer’s memory. Here’s how to make better use of a laptop’s RAM.

Random-access memory, or RAM, is the physical hardware responsible for handling active processes on your computer. The more RAM your machine has, the more tasks it can perform at the same time. Upgrading the physical hardware is the most effective way to get more RAM. If that’s not an option, you can increase the available memory by limiting the number of applications and processes running at the same time.

Some laptops have an extra RAM slot, allowing you to add more memory yourself. You may be able to replace the RAM, but the maximum memory your computer can handle depends on the rest of your hardware.

Use the Crucial System Advisor tool to see if your computer's RAM can be upgraded, then check the Performance tab in Task Manager to see if your current RAM is less than the maximum. On a Mac, go to Apple menu > About This Mac and select the Memory tab to see how much RAM you have.