Laptops are not as easy to update as desktop PCs because many internal components are soldered to the motherboard; the latter, even if technically replaceable, are not within the reach of a beginner or a user who is impractical with electronic components. This does not mean that we cannot update anything on our laptop! In this guide we will show you how to upgrade an old laptop by adding RAM and installing an SSD solid state drive in place of the old mechanical hard drive.
These hardware changes will improve the speed, performance and performance of the laptop, so you can quickly start any version of Windows and open programs with the lightning. The updates can be applied to practically any PC that supports SATA 3 and that supports the DDR3, DDR3L or DDR4 (newer) RAM modules.
How to update an old laptop
For the guide we will show you all the steps (with targeted insights) to add compatible RAM banks on the PC and how to replace the old mechanical disk with a fast SSD, so as to increase the available space and execution speed. To find out what's inside your computer and find out in advance what type of hardware we can update, just use a program to check the hardware on the individual pieces of the PC .NOTE : we carry out all disassembly operations with the PC off and without the battery inserted, to avoid taking an electric shock!
How to add RAM memory
Most laptops have two so-DIMM slots for RAM, arranged one above the other; therefore, as a rule, the upper so-DIMM module must therefore be removed to access the lower one.
Since there are only two slots, they are usually both occupied, so you will need to upgrade your RAM with the purchase of two new, larger capacity modules. We always update both modules, so as to maintain compatibility between the two memories.
To remove the RAM banks, turn the laptop upside down, unscrew the safety screw near the door to access the RAM modules, press on the tabs on each side of the slot and push outwards on both sides simultaneously so as to raise it by about 30 degrees and remove it.
Once the old RAM banks have been removed, we install the new ones by repeating the procedure in reverse: we place the first bank of RAM in an oblique position, we push the raised part until we hear a click; now repeat with the second bank of RAM and close the door to be able to immediately test the new banks.
The best RAM banks we can buy for notebooks are:
- QUMOX 8GB DDR3 1600MHz (€ 31)
- Crucial 8 GB 4 GBx2 DDR3L Memory Kit (€ 50)
- Crucial 8 GB Single Rank Memory x8, DDR4 (€ 37)
- Corsair Vengeance Performance 16GB RAM Memory Kit for Laptops, 2x8GB (€ 72)
To correctly update the RAM, we will have to identify the type of memory and the frequency supported by the notebook ; we can deepen this topic by reading our guides on the types of RAM of the computer: DDR, shape and speed and the guide to add or replace the RAM of the PC .
How to replace the hard drive with an SSD
To replace the mechanical disk we will first have to clone the old disk to the new SSD, so as not to have to reinstall Windows and the programs we use daily on the laptop. To do this on a laptop we connect the new SSD to a USB socket with a SATA-USB adapter cable or with a case for disks (we talk about it in depth in the article on How to connect disks to PC via USB ), then we follow all the steps described in our guide on how to move Windows to SSD without reinstalling everything, where we will show you how to best use a free program like EASEUS Todo Backup Free.
The only things to watch out for is that the space occupied on the old disk is less than or equal to the total space of the new SSD.
Once the cloning has been carried out on the new SSD, turn the laptop upside down, identify the panel of the hard disk and unscrew it; after unscrewing the panel, pull it up to access the disc compartment. To be able to remove it, it is usually necessary to unscrew the fixing screw, so that it can be lifted by means of the tab and pulled away from the side.
Once removed from the computer, we remove the old disk from the metal holder, place the new SSD in its place and repeat all the steps backwards, so that we can install the new disk on the laptop.
The best SSDs we can buy for a notebook are:
- Kingston SSD A400, 240 GB (€ 34)
- Samsung 860 EVO 500 GB Internal SSD Memory (78 €)
- Samsung 860 EVO SSD V-NAND Internal 1 TB (131 €)
Other SSDs for sale can be viewed in our guide to Best PC SSDs to buy for fast uploads . We can use the old disk as an external USB disk, as described in our guide on how to transform internal disk into portable external drive .
If instead we want to keep the mechanical disk inside the notebook and place the SSD in place of the DVD player (a much more complex operation to perform), we can read our guide for the SSD on the Laptop, instead of the hard disk or DVD player .
READ ALSO: How to replace the hard disk to upgrade your PC in an hour
Conclusions
As we have read, upgrading the old laptop is, after all, an operation within everyone's reach, just arm yourself with patience and a good screwdriver! Replacing the banks of RAM and the mechanical disk with an SSD and new RAM will improve the performance of the operating system and programs, extending the life of the laptop by at least another 3-4 years.If we are looking for repairs and replacements on the PC, we recommend you read our guide to DIY computer repairs: change RAM, power supply and hard disk .
If, on the other hand, we notice that the drop in performance is related to Windows, you should read the tips in the guide on how to improve the performance of your Windows PC, so as to take full advantage of the enhanced computer hardware.
