I ordered the new 2GB chip from Crucial (2GB, 204-pin SODIMM Upgrade DDR3) and got it today. around $28 shipped. The machine has only one slot for a single DIMM, so 2GB is the max for this netbook.
I flipped it over and looked on the bottom, to find about 9 screws. Don’t undo them – they are NOT required to be removed to replace the RAM module. Instead, on the bottom of the netbook is a large plastic panel that takes up most of the bottom of the unit. This is the only thing that needs to be removed to swap out the memory. Be sure to remove the battery of course before proceeding.
You will need a sturdy knife and a 1/8” flat blade screwdriver. Begin by prying up the plastic panel (carefully) with the screwdriver near the battery lock slide switch. Then, you will need to use the knife probably to get in under it and pop up the remaining areas, just working your way around the edge.
Note: there are three glued areas where they have put in tabs that connect the electrical shielding on the underside of the plastic plate to grounds on the internals of the system. You will need to break each of the three in order to pry the plastic plate off the back of the unit. They are pretty tough, so be careful you don’t damage the plastic as you pry it loose. There is one in particular that gave me a bit of trouble on the rear of the unit, back by the battery about an inch in from the battery slide switch on the right side of the unit. This was so tough it actually left a dimple in the plastic panel because I had to pry it so hard.
Once the plastic panel is off, just locate the ram module (directly under the FN key on the keyboard) and slide the release catch on the module (on the left side looking at the unit bottom-up) with the screwdriver and it should pop up and out. Replace it with the new 2GB module and snap it into place.
Replace the plastic cover by just pressing it back into place, and you should be good to go. Fire up the unit again and voila! You now have 2GB ram! Nothing else needs to be done on setup, configuration or anything – it will just all work!
Total costs
Costco Netbok: $299.99 +tx
Crucial RAM $28.50 including shipping
It’s a great netbook, but just needs some RAM to make it really work well Enjoy!