What Is the Absolute Minimum Amount of RAM Needed for a Computer to Run?
Computers require more and more RAM to operate as newer pieces of software and operating systems hit the market. As technical requirements outstrip factory specifications, it may become necessary for computer users to just "get by" until the price of RAM drops, or a computer is found at the right price. Leaving the bare minimum of RAM in your computer for the time being may be fiscally responsible, but will probably lead to impatience; in many cases, your computer will run slowly until you upgrade.
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Function
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Computers use RAM, or "random access memory," to store data and then access it in any order (randomly) when necessitated by various functions of the computer. The computer's hard drive can be used in a similar fashion, called "paging," or "virtual memory"--but accessing the data is much slower.
Considerations
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Computers being run with the minimum recommended amount of RAM will be much slower in operation and more prone to crashing than computers running with more than the minimum required RAM. Additional RAM installation may be required in order to ensure that software will function. Newer operating systems may also have hardware requirements that, if not met, will prevent computer operation, even with the recommended amount of installed RAM.
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Microsoft Operating Systems
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It will be rare to find a computer in regular use that has any version of Windows older than XP, but many users prefer the older Windows releases for personal use. The following operating systems are listed with the corresponding minimum amount of installed RAM with which the computer will still run, according to Microsoft's support website:
Windows Vista Home Premium; Business; Enterprise; Ultimate: 1 GB
Windows Vista Home Basic: 512 MB
Windows XP Pro and Home: 64 MB
Windows 2000 Server and Advanced Server: 256 MB
Windows 2000 Pro: 64 MB
Windows 98: 16 MB
Windows 95: 4 MB
Apple Operating Systems
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The Apple Operating Systems designated with a 10.x are usually referred to as "OSX" and include a feline code-name. It will be rare to find an Apple computer running an OS older than the OSX series. The following operating systems are listed with the corresponding minimum amount of installed RAM with which the computer will still run, according to Apple's support website:
10.6 (Snow Leopard): 1GB
10.5 (Leopard): 512 MB
10.4 (Tiger): 256 MB
10.3 (Panther): 128 MB
10.2 (Jaguar): 128 MB
10.1 (Puma): 128 MB
10.0 (Cheetah): 128 MB
OS 9: 32 MB (with 40MB virtual memory)
Linux Operating Systems
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There are various flavors of Linux offered for free download as part of the continuing Open Source movement. Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu are offered in several versions, with many forums that offer support documentation and discussion. The Linux versions of Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu have a minimum of 64 MB RAM with which the computer will still run, according to Ubuntu's support website.
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