Help/Advice in upgrading a Laptop

I don't really know all the different terminologies nor am I good with this topic, but I would really appreciate some help from the people here seeing that a lot of you guys know a lot more than me.

Anyways, what I'm planning to do is upgrade my Laptop's RAM to its 'maximum potential' instead of buying a new expensive multimedia/gaming laptop.

We do a lot of Photo, Video Editing, as well as Heavy 3D Short Animations in our college using Alienware Computer Labs, would be great to somehow keep up with progress whilst being mobile.


What I know so far is that a Laptop RAM's size factor is the main difference from a Desktop's RAM, and that Motherboards tend to be picky with RAM modules as well.

I have an average multimedia laptop, I guess.

Lenovo Ideapad Z400, i7 Quad core and 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 645M.


Also, regarding the:

Memory slots
Total memory slots 2
Used memory slots 1
Free memory slots 1

Does the "free memory slots" mean I could add another or combine RAM modules (e.g. 1x 4GB RAM and 1x 4GB RAM = 8GB RAM or 2x 8GB RAM = 16GB RAM".

What are the bare-bone minimum to know the compatibility of a RAM module for my specific Laptop? Got confused with:


Are there any risks other than running out of battery faster?

You can either buy another 4GB module or buy 2 of 8GB, removing the current one. The worst thing can happen is buying RAM with higher Mhz than you motherboard can manage, thus not using it to its full potential. Which is what would happen if you buy that PC3-14900

Ideapad Z400 supports up to:
16GB max, PC3-12800 1600MHz DDR3*, non-parity,
dual-channel capable, two 204-pin SO-DIMM sockets

Oh thank you, didn't know my laptop's motherboard couldn't handle 14900.

Also thank you for the convenient link to the specified information.