Upgrading Laptops
Having a notebook such as, a Solo 9550 "desktop replacement," with Pentium III processor, CD-RW/DVD combo drive, and 128MB of memory are ancient technology compared with today's mobile offerings. This system contains a painfully slow 4,200-rpm, 30GB hard drive, but it still fired up once you can find the correct AC adapter. These kinds of laptops are out of the box surely needs to be renewed which is called as “upgrading” in terms of computer technology. Upgrading a laptop can be a costly endeavor, depending on how many components that need replacing. At some point you have to decide if it makes more sense, financially to scrap the older system for a shiny new model. For example, a new TFT screen, extended hard drive, memory, optical drive, and PCMCIA TV tuner card can cost more than $700, which would go a long way toward purchasing a brand-new notebook. The most complex part of a PC upgrade is the processor. Though it's possible to upgrade the processor in some laptops, it's a complicated job and may require soldering skills, depending on the model. There are online parts suppliers who provide chips for various systems, but you must be certain that your power supply can handle the extra power draw and the cooling fans can prevent overheating. You must be so careful otherwise, you may run the risk of frying the motherboard and the power supply, at which point you might as well prefer to go out and buy yourself a new notebook. Besides, the CPU on this Gateway was soldered in place and we must locate a replacement motherboard assembly for it for around $450 Chances are your laptop makeover won't be as extensive as any one else’s. But if you want to breathe new life into an old laptop, the job may be easier than you think. One more tip before you get started, it’s good to find a spacious, well-lit work area with a flat, level surface to perform these upgrades. More than that getting the right replacement part is a must and seek an help from the local dealer or your dearest geek.
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