And, with today's ever-growing operating systems sizes, as well as increasingly larger software programs, having enough memory is essential.

First, you should know that adding memory can refer to different things inside the computer. For example, adding memory could mean increasing the hard drive space or increasing the amount of files that can be saved on the computer.

But, in this case, we are talking about increasing the random-access memory (RAM). RAM can be thought of as the computer's short term memory.

When you start a program, your computer copies the program into your RAM because your RAM operates much more quickly than your hard drive.

In addition, your RAM stores anything that you are working on within your program. This is why if you were to forget to save your document to your hard drive and turn your computer off, it would be gone the next time you turn your computer on. It would be deleted from your computer's short term memory - RAM.

This all leads to the concept that increasing your computer's memory, specifically your RAM, can greatly increase your computer's performance while running any program and working on any file. This includes your Web browser and other programs you operate while using the Internet.

Furthermore, adding memory is generally pretty easy and will be covered in your computer's owners manual. For the most part, the RAM just slides in and out of place inside your computer.

Your owner's manual will also indicate what type of RAM you need to buy in order to upgrade your computer. It is very important to get the specific type of RAM for your computer. There are many different types of RAM, but only the one made for your computer will work in your computer.

When shopping for RAM, you will find that prices tend to vary from week to week. So, it is important to shop around for the best deal.

You can purchase RAM from a local computer shop or find it online and order it from a Web site.

If you choose to shop online, Computer Shopper (http://www.computershopper.com) is a good place to start. They are a reputable company and usually have competitive prices.

Another great resource for any computer part is Price Watch (http://www.pricewatch.com). Price Watch is a service where retailers update and maintain their prices in real time.

Then, the Web site summarizes all this information and lists the products you are interested in, according to the best price. If you know what you are looking for, this Web site makes it very easy to find some of the best prices on the Web.

So, if your computer is feeling a little sluggish and could use a performance boost, consider adding more RAM and increasing your computer's short-term memory.