Due to their compact size, laptop computers are less modifiable than desk computers. Usually, you can upgrade (upgrade) three things on a laptop: random access memory (RAM), hard drive (hard drive), and sound/video card (sound card). This article describes the general steps you'll need to upgrade a laptop, but if you're stuck and can't find a solution, you may want to check with your laptop manufacturer's documentation.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Preparing Laptop Memory Specifications
Step 1. Find the serial name and model number of your laptop
The manufacturer's name, series, and model number are often printed on the laptop itself.
The serial name and model number are often printed on the bottom of the laptop, but are sometimes also printed on the keyboard on the inside of the laptop
Step 2. Find the laptop manual
In the search engine, type the manufacturer's name, serial, and model number of your laptop, then type manual. Among the search results you will find a link to the manual itself or to a page on the laptop manufacturer's website. You can download manuals or maintenance guides on this site.
- You can also visit the manufacturer's site directly for a maintenance manual or guide.
- If available, download the service and maintenance guide as it has detailed information on specific hardware that can be used to upgrade your laptop.
Step 3. Determine how much memory Windows Vista or Windows 7 is using the laptop
Click the Start menu, right - click Computer, and then click Properties. In the system section (system), Installed memory (RAM) shows how much memory you have installed.
Step 4. Determine how much Windows 8 memory the laptop is using
In the desktop section (main screen when the laptop is turned on), right-click My Computer, then click Properties. In the system section (system), Installed memory (RAM) shows how much memory you have installed.
Step 5. Determine how much memory your Mac laptop is using
Click on the Apple menu, then click About This Mac. In the About This Mac window, Memory shows how much random access memory (RAM) you have installed.
For more information, click More Info, and then click the Memory tab
Step 6. Determine whether you have maximum random access memory (RAM) or not
In the downloaded laptop manual, check the system specifications to see if you are using the maximum random access memory (RAM) or not.
Method 2 of 6: Increase Your Laptop's RAM Memory
Step 1. Determine the type of RAM the laptop uses
In the downloaded laptop manual, look for the memory modules section.
-
If you can't find this information in your laptop manual, there are several online tools that will show you the correct RAM for your specific laptop series and model. Click here for an example of one of the online tools.
Upgrade a Laptop Step 2
Step 2. Purchase the RAM you need
You can buy it in various places. When you have identified the specific type of RAM you want to buy, type the specific type of RAM in a search engine, then choose an online shop that you like to buy RAM from.
If you are using more than one RAM memory module, you need to make sure that each of them is the same size. For example, you cannot use a 2 GB RAM module with a 4 GB RAM module. Both must have a memory size of 2 GB, for example
Step 3. Before opening the computer or removing RAM, protect yourself by installing neutral voltage
Static electricity can damage computer components. The easiest way is to touch a piece of metal before removing and replacing components of the computer, but there are other methods you can use as well.
Step 4. Use a screwdriver to open the RAM memory access panel
On most laptops, this panel is located under the laptop cover and is locked with one or more screws.
Your laptop maintenance guide will provide very specific instructions on how to do this
Step 5. If you replace your old RAM entirely, remove the old RAM memory
If you add RAM to an empty memory slot, you don't need to remove the old RAM first.
Step 6. Install the new RAM memory
Push the RAM slowly but steadily into place. Do not force it if it turns out this process is not easy.
Step 7. Use screws to close the access panel
Method 3 of 6: Setting Up Laptop Hard Drive Specifications
Step 1. Find the serial name and model number of your laptop
The manufacturer's name, series, and model number are often printed on the laptop itself.
The serial name and model number are often printed on the bottom of the laptop, but are sometimes also printed on the keyboard inside the laptop
Step 2. Find the laptop manual
In the search engine, type in the manufacturer's name, serial, and model number of your laptop, then type manual. Among the search results you will find a link to the manual itself or to a page on the laptop manufacturer's website. You can download manuals or maintenance guides on this site.
- You can also visit the manufacturer's site directly for a maintenance manual or guide.
- If available, download the service and maintenance guide as it has detailed information on specific hardware that can be used to upgrade your laptop.
Step 3. Find a hard drive that fits your laptop
In the user manual or maintenance manual, specify the hard drive model that fits your laptop.
- On a search engine, look for the specific model of hard drive that fits your laptop.
- If the hard drive is not of the right physical size, these components will not fit when installed in the laptop.
Method 4 of 6: Improve Your Laptop's Hard Drive Kualitas
Step 1. Connect the laptop with the power cable and then turn it on
The hard drive backup recording process can take longer than laptop battery power. If you plug it into the mains, you don't have to worry about how much battery life you have left.
Step 2. Make a backup of your laptop hard drive
Before installing the new hard drive, copy the contents of your old hard drive into the new hard drive. This will save time because you don't have to reinstall all the apps.
- In Windows 8, System Image Back Up is a program that you can use to back up your hard drive. In Windows 7 and earlier operating systems, such a program is called Backup and Restore.
- On Mac OS X 10.5 or earlier operating systems, you can use Time Machine to back up your hard drive. You can also use Disk Utility to back up your hard drive to a CD or DVD.
- If you want to start a refresh on your new hard drive, don't record data into the new hard drive. Install your operating system, then install and copy the files you need.
Step 3. Connect the new hard drive to the laptop's USB port
You will need a SATA to USB adapter to connect the two hard drives. You can also place the new hard drive in an external hard drive case that has a USB connection.
Step 4. Install the clone software on the old hard drive
Some hardware manufacturers include their own cloning software that may be preinstalled on your computer. You can also use applications from third parties.
- Clonezilla is a free software disc cloning utility that is free of charge and can be used on almost any operating system (multi-platform).
- There are many cloning software for all major operating systems.
Step 5. Clone the old hardware into the new hardware
Before starting cloning, be sure to read the help archive to make sure you understand the process.
The cloning software will check to make sure that the new hard drive has enough capacity to clone the old hard drive into it
Step 6. After cloning is complete, turn off the laptop and unplug it
Make sure you disconnect and disable the new hard drive as well. Before you continue, wait at least one minute for the power to dissipate in the laptop.
Step 7. Remove the laptop battery
If the battery is still in the hard drive, it may give you an electric shock. You'll also need to remove it to reach the laptop's hard drive.
Step 8. Take the old hard drive
As explained above, you can reach the hard drive through the battery compartment. On other types of laptops, you may have to remove the entire outer casing or keyboard. Some laptops allow direct access to the hard drive via an access panel at the bottom.
If you are unsure about how to remove a laptop hard drive, refer to your laptop's user manual or maintenance guide
Step 9. Install the new hard drive
Place a new hard drive, but don't force it.
Step 10. Reassemble the laptop and turn it on
If you turn on the laptop with an empty hard drive, you will need to reinstall your operating system.
Method 5 of 6: Preparing Laptop Sound and Video Card Specifications
Step 1. Find the serial name and model number of your laptop
The manufacturer's name, series, and model number are often printed on the laptop itself.
The serial name and model number are often printed on the bottom of the laptop, but are sometimes also printed on the keyboard inside the laptop
Step 2. Find the laptop manual
In the search engine, type the manufacturer's name, serial, and model number of your laptop, then type manual. Among the search results you will find a link to the manual itself or to a page on the laptop manufacturer's website. You can download manuals or maintenance guides on this site.
- You can also visit the manufacturer's site directly for a maintenance manual or guide.
- If available, download the service and maintenance guide as it has detailed information on specific hardware that can be used to upgrade your laptop.
Step 3. Find the appropriate sound and video card for your laptop
In the user manual or maintenance guide, specify the appropriate sound and video card for your laptop. Often, you cannot improve the quality of the sound and video card. The user manual will provide information about this.
In a search engine, find the specific sound and video card that fits your laptop
Method 6 of 6: Improving Laptop Sound or Video Card Quality
Step 1. Before starting, disconnect the power and laptop battery
Step 2. Look for information in the laptop maintenance guide
Since there are different models of laptops, the process of accessing sound and video cards can also vary. A laptop maintenance guide will provide detailed information on how to do this.
For some high-end laptops, access to the graphics card can be obtained by removing the panel at the bottom. Then, you need to follow the next steps to reach the graphics card slot
Step 3. Remove the laptop keyboard
For some laptops, you can access the video and sound card by removing the keyboard. What this means is that you have to remove the screws from under the hinge cover, then remove the keyboard and unplug the connector.
- So that you can track down the different screws, use transparent tape to glue the screws to a piece of paper or cardboard, then label each screw.
- Some laptops attach the keyboard using dowels that allow you to remove the keyboard without having to remove the screws.
Step 4. Remove the display fixture, if needed
For some laptops, you will need to remove the laptop screen to access the sound and video card cables. Remove the screws that secure the display assembly, then disconnect the video cable and wireless antenna.
Step 5. Remove the CD/DVD drive, if needed
On most laptops, the trick is to press the release latch and remove it from the slot where the CD ROM (drive bay) is inserted.
Step 6. Remove the top cover of the laptop, if necessary
Remove the screws that secure it to the base of the laptop.
Step 7. Remove the old graphics card
Step 8. Install the new graphics card in the slot
Push the card directly and steadily. Don't force it.
Step 9. Reassemble the laptop
Reverse the steps you followed when installing the new card so you can reassemble the laptop.
Warning
- While it's possible to upgrade your laptop in the ways mentioned above, you shouldn't buy a laptop thinking that you can upgrade it later. Often times, it's more economical to buy a laptop with all the features you need from the start and maybe a little cheaper than buying a lower-end machine and then upgrading it to your desired level.
- Desk computers typically allow users to select random access memory (RAM) and graphics cards from any manufacturer, whereas laptop computers typically require users to obtain upgraded equipment from the laptop manufacturer itself.
