When we think about buying a computer, the first think we keep in mind is to check the memory, the capacity of information storage. Although the memory is the main criteria when we are choosing a computer, we do not know exactly how much storage space we should have on our machine Well, we hear all round us three types of terms that relate to memory storage: KB, MB and GB.

If it were to explain them, it would not be so easy. Fortunately other guys have done this operation. So, the mathematical explanation: computer does not work with decimal system of numbering, so there in no one to ten digits. The computer uses the binary code and as a consequence, it knows only two digits: 0 and 1. Our machine encodes all the information so that it could be easier to understand what we want from him.



Human beings do not have a certain measurement unit when talking about memory, but the computer operates with some concepts called: bit and byte. The bit is not an important element itself, but related to other bits it composes the smallest storage measurement unit. So, the bytes are the result of 8 united bits. The Kilobyte (KB) has 1024 bytes, while the megabyte (MB) unit is bigger. It has almost 1.048.576 bytes. The biggest measurement unit for memory is the Gigabyte (GB).

You may be confused right now and do not know what kind of memory are we talking about. Well, taking into account that the RAM memory is used to open a program and also to run it, this is the type of memory we are interested in. To determine this memory, go to the My Computer folder and select Proprieties tab. Here you have to look after General tab menu and see the hard-drive’s proprieties. This tab offers you information about the RAM memory.

Keep in mind the differences previously presented between measurement storage units, because your RAM memory can be expressed either in Gigabytes or Megabytes. The best point in knowing these differences is that the RAM memory could be upgraded and extended. When should you upgrade your RAM? Especially when a program runs too slow or worse: it does not open at all.



The Mac users have to do some other operations: click the Apple Icon and choose the tab “About this Macintosh”. There should be something called Total Memory line. If your machine shows you a Kilobyte result instead of Megabytes, then go ahead and divide the shown number by 1024 bytes. That is how you obtain the Megabyte value of RAM.

Finally for determining external memory of your computer, as a memory stick, the process is even easier. Plug the item in the USB port and go to the My Computer folder. Here the stick is surely available as a drive. Right click it and choose Proprieties button. Well, the pie chart that appeared tells you whether you have free space on your device or what capacity your stick has.