How to update your laptop

Deciding whether to upgrade your laptop or just buy a new one is a big decision. For most of us, a laptop is an essential tool - for work and for play - so things like speed and storage are big deals.

While conventional wisdom may fall into the "buy a new one" camp, swapping out a few parts or making a few modifications can save the handyman a lot of money or give you a few extra months while you wait for that

Best time to buy a new laptop

.

Whether you want better graphics, more RAM or faster computing power,

Here's what you need to know before you start upgrading your laptop:

Upgrading may void your warranty

This process is not for the impatient

Not all components can be exchanged

Some upgrades can damage your laptop

Can you upgrade a laptop processor?

Let's start with the big question. And while we hate to break bad news, in most cases you can't upgrade your laptop's processor. There are some laptops with swappable processors, but these devices are expensive and hard to find.

Most processors are

soldered directly to the mainboard

, which is challenging for the typical user as you have to remove the CPU and swap it out for a new one. If the processor is swappable, you need to make sure it fits in the same socket and that the motherboard will interact with the new CPU after installation can.

If you have a

HP desktop computer

, you can check the product specs page to see which processors are compatible with your existing network. While this doesn't answer the laptop question, long story short, the processing power is more or less tied up...permanently.

Is your laptop too slow?

If your laptop is moving more slowly than it used to, it could be a sign of normal wear and tear. However, there are a few things you can do to get your computer humming faster, similar to when you first unpacked it.

First, check how much free disk space you have available. For example, if your laptop

Hard drive is low on storage space

, this can make opening programs or files an extreme test of patience.

Or the culprit could be a lack of RAM dedicated to supporting your software. While increasing RAM won't solve all your speed problems, it can relieve some of the pressure on your CPU, resulting in faster processing.

Start upgrading your laptop's RAM

Most laptops allow the user to upgrade their memory or storage by inserting a stick into a slot inside the computer. Generally, you will need to purchase new memory for your computer from an authorized retailer or directly from

PC manufacturer

.In some cases, third-party manufacturers make compatible memory sticks that work with a variety of notebooks.

At HP®, most of our laptops are designed so that the user can open the device with a Phillips screwdriver and add new or

Upgrade computer memory

with relative ease. Other computers have soldered the device, making it impossible for users to upgrade memory.

We have put together a

How to install RAM in an HP laptop

, but we strongly advise double and even triple checking before committing to any particular unit.

Consider upgrading your laptop's hard drive

Most manufacturers allow that

existing hard drive

replaced with one with more storage space. How much you spend depends on how much space you need.

A 480GB

SSD

can approach $400 or $500 fairly quickly, while a standard 1TB hard drive can cost as little as $50 or $100. On laptops that make it easy to swap out the hard drive, you can usually find a compartment that houses the hard drive is.

A

external hard drive

is an attractive solution for many users because you can just plug it into the USB port to get started. You can also keep using it when you buy a new laptop.

Switch to an updated operating system

In most cases, you don't have to buy a whole new laptop to get the latest operating system. Yes, more modern laptops come with a newer operating system, but you can generally install the updated system with minimal effort on your part.

For example, if your laptop is still running Windows 8 and you want Windows 10, you must erase Windows 8 from your hard drive and download the newer version. If you have enough disk space, confirm the download. In some cases, you may not have enough RAM to support the update.

If you need more RAM, you should be able to replace it, no problem. However, if you download the new operating system in hopes of faster processing speed, you should consider buying a new laptop with a faster CPU.

Update your graphics card

Many people want to know how to upgrade laptop

graphics card (GPU)

, typically related to gaming. Like your CPU, your GPU is generally soldered to the motherboard, making it difficult to swap out.

Interestingly, there is a way to boost your graphics skills: buy an external device that plugs into your USB port. You'll get enhanced graphics output, which offers the ability to add a second display to your laptop screen.

If you want to add a CD/DVD drive

Thanks to streaming, discs aren't as popular as they used to be, so most newer laptops don't have a built-in disc drive.

Luckily, if you want to play a favorite game from a few years ago or watch a DVD every once in a while, you can

external optical drive

.It's one of the easier upgrades you can do, all you have to do is plug in the drive via USB and you're good to go.

How to update your laptop for gaming

In most cases it is not possible to upgrade your laptop's graphics card for 1

better gaming experience

.As mentioned, most modern laptops have an integrated graphics card that is soldered onto the motherboard, allowing for minimal customization.

There are a few ways you can improve your gaming experience:

Physically clean your laptop:

Dust and dirt can affect performance by reducing airflow and overheating your computer.

Defragment disk:

While Windows automatically defragments your files, you may also want to manually check your defragmentation status.

Make sure DirectX is up to date:

Check which version you're running by typing "dxdiag" into the menu. From there, run a Windows update to potentially get more performance out of your gaming-related hardware.

Overclock your graphics card:

There are tools that you can use to push your graphics card to its limits by increasing your GPU's voltage and clock speed. The tool comes with a hardware monitor so it can monitor system stability. You need to be careful here.

overclocking

increases the risk of your computer overheating and shutting down, and let's face it, that doesn't make for the most enjoyable gaming experience. It can also void your manufacturer's warranty, so be careful.

summary

Upgrading your laptop isn't always the easiest path to a better computing experience, but as we've outlined here, most of these tips are easy to implement yourself.

If you're looking for a computer that can be customized, especially when it comes to gaming, a desktop might be your best bet. However, if you simply need more RAM or space for your files, there are easy ways to do it with your laptop reach.

About the author

Dan Marzullo is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Dan produces strategic marketing content for startups, digital agencies, and established brands. His work can be found in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, YFS Magazine, and many other media outlets.

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