Hi - I'm wondering if there are any recommendations for replacing my laptop's 2 512MB RAM cards? My wife's uncle gave me a 1 GB, so now I have 1.5 GB of RAM on my laptop, but I've always heard that 2 GB should be a minimum for a DAW - are there some RAM cards that are better than others? Are there better places to purchase these from then others? Just looking for some recommendations...

Definately 1 Gb of RAM is not enough, and 2 Gb is not much.

If you have two 512 Mb memories plus one 1 Gb memory, doesn't that make 2 Gb, not 1,5 Gb?

However, I'm don't think you can add that 1 Gb comb there just like that. You must make sure that all the memory combs inserted are compatible, preferably identical. Someone with more knowledge about computers will surely tell more.

It's easiest to check the model details on the combs that are in the laptop and buy ones with similar specs. 

go here,

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

download the scanner(this is the worlds top selling memory site)
see what your using.
you want to replace ram in sets,never just one always both because most ram will give you problems unless its a match.
sometimes it will work but youll be experencing problems and asking yourself why?

why,because of the ram.
ram is everything dude.its what your software uses to run,your hard drive just stores changes and the main exe.'s
the ram is where the program is running,its nothing that should be skimped on.

i read once that by putting in ram thats not compitple for your computer there is no chance in harm.
what a mistake that was.
fried a mobo with bad ram.so dont go just sticking anything in there unless its somewhat comp.

Yeah.... I'm not a compu-geek, but I was thinking that all the RAM cards needed to be the same..... not a mix and match setup. 

And yeah, the specs on the RAM are critical. 
I did not know it would fry a MOBO, but I do know it will not work if it's not 100% compatible. 


Now.... can you run with 1GB or 2 GB of RAM when the specs for MC call for more?   

Yeah...BUT!

I have run Cake products in the past on less than spec machines. It will run.... but the downside is it will not perform as well as it would on a spec or better machine. Loading projects and programs will take longer, and if you use soft synths which all run from the RAM..... you will be limited with the smaller memory size and performance will suffer as a result. Some of the nicer synths use samples and between the synth and the samples.... 1GB especially,  will barely leave room for the other things that need to be done in the project.... but.... you can try it to see how it runs..... no harm there. 

You can always bounce the synths to audio and remove the synth to free up memory space.