Reference number: CH000618
What can I upgrade in a laptop?
Issue:What can I upgrade in a laptop?
Answers:
Unlike a desktop, laptops and other portable computers often do
not allow users to upgrade many of the components it comes with.
Below is a listing of common laptop upgrade questions and the
answers to each of the questions regarding laptop and portable
computer upgrades. These types of upgrades refer to the upgrade done
to a laptop after it has been purchased.
What can I upgrade in my laptop?
Can I upgrade the memory in my laptop?
Can I upgrade the processor in my laptop?
Can I upgrade the video card in my laptop?
Can I upgrade other peripherals such as the modem or
network card in my laptop?
Can I upgrade the laptops LCD to a bigger size?
Can I upgrade the laptops hard disk drive?
What can I upgrade in my
laptop?
This answer varies on the manufacturer and model
of the laptop or portable computer.
However, the majority of laptops and other portable
computers only allow a user
to upgrade
the system
memory
and have options
for a better battery.
Can I upgrade the memory
in my laptop?
Almost every laptop and portable computer
allows a user
to upgrade
the memory
(RAM)
in the computer. Often this is done by opening a compartment on
the bottom of the laptop and adding or removing and adding a new
stick of memory.
Many times
you must purchase the memory for your laptop through the laptop
manufacturer or an authorized dealer. However, many memory
manufacturers and companies also make compatible
memory for many of the newer laptops. If you have questions about
your laptops memory specifications
or how to upgrade the memory you should contact the manufacturer
of your laptop.
A listing of memory manufacturers and related web pages can also
be found on our memory network
section.
Can I upgrade the
processor in my laptop?
Some laptop and portable computer
manufacturers allow their customers to upgrade
their processor
speeds. However, if available seriously consider the upgrade in
speed and the cost, often for the amount of money spent and the
little increase in performance it may not be worth the upgrade.
This type
of upgrade often requires the laptop
computer or portable
computer manufacturer or authorized repair
shop to perform the upgrade and is not something an end-user will
be able to do. If you are curious about the availability of
upgrading your laptop or portable computer processor and the cost
involved you must contact the laptop
manufacturer for additional information.
Can I upgrade my video
card in my laptop?
Some new high performance laptop and portable computer
manufacturers are coming out with models
that enable users to
upgrade
the video
card or video accelerator
it came shipped with. Unless your one of the lucky few who have one
of these types of laptops or portable
computer you will not be able to upgrade
your video card.
If you are unsure if your laptop or portable computer is this
type of computer it is recommended you contact
the laptop manufacturer for additional information.
Can I upgrade other
peripherals such as the modem or network card in my laptop?
We are unfamiliar with any laptop or portable computer
manufacturer that offers an upgrade
for the internal
modem or network
card that the laptop or portable
computer comes with. However, users
can purchase a new PC
Card or ExpressCard modem, network card, and numerous other peripherals
and use these in the PC
Card slot as a replacement for the internal component
that came with the computer
Can I upgrade the
laptops LCD to a bigger size?
We are unfamiliar with any laptop or portable computer
manufacturer that offers an upgrade
for the LCD
or screen
that comes pre-shipped with the computer. Therefore this is not an
upgrade option.
Can I upgrade the
laptops hard disk drive?
Some manufacturers may allow their users
to upgrade
the hard disk
drive to a larger size and many times
the hard
drive is relatively easy to install
in a lot of laptops that have this ability.
Although this may be an available option
users should also consider external
hard
disk drive solutions such as USB
or Firewire
drives. Although these solutions will be an external solution and
may hinder the portability
of the computer
it is often a cheaper solution and will allow you to upgrade to a
much larger capacity.
Users who are curious about upgrading the hard disk drives in
their laptops or portable computers should contact
the laptop manufacturer for additional information and
availability.
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