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RAM

By Tom Nelson, About.com

Definition:

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a computer's main memory. RAM temporarily stores parts of the operating system and any applications you run, to allow faster access to data and to improve performance.

The operating system and individual software applications each have their own minimum and recommended RAM requirements. The more RAM your computer has, the better and more efficiently your OS and applications will run. Having a generous amount of RAM in your computer can also allow you to run more programs simultaneously, such as email, a web browser, a word processor, and iTunes.

Examples:
If you're thinking about buying a video editor, make sure your computer has enough RAM to run the program.
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