Basic question about rebuilding laptop edit: got my answer thanks

[berg]

Edit: thanks for the replies people. I'll just look for a newer cheap used laptop and get that USB adapter from newegg.

I am a novice when it comes to computer hardware and building so I'd like to know if this is even possible.

I have an old HP laptop that I'm looking for the cheapest way to upgrade for running business software.


Is it feasible to order and install a new motherboard with upgraded CPUs and install it in this thing? Right now it has a single 1.4ghz processor and only 1 gig of ram. It's very slow and I need it to run at least 2 programs at the same time.



I also need to install a RS232 serial port so I'm not even sure this laptop has room for that.

[xhy]

Usually it's not possible/practical to upgrade anything on the laptop other than hard drive and RAM. Generally you can't even upgrade the motherboard (the shape is very specific to the make and model) and the CPU is typically soldered to the board.

The only way to boost it may be to max out the RAM and possibly switch to a solid-state drive. But at some point you'll probably conclude the cost of the upgrade is about the same as getting a new computer :/

[wheels]

Usually it's not possible/practical to upgrade anything on the laptop other than hard drive and RAM. Generally you can't even upgrade the motherboard (the shape is very specific to the make and model) and the CPU is typically soldered to the board.

The only way to boost it may be to max out the RAM and possibly switch to a solid-state drive. But at some point you'll probably conclude the cost of the upgrade is about the same as getting a new computer :/

2nd opinion - see above...

[billofrights]

What's this "business software" ? I'm puzzled why anything old enough to require a serial port to run needs to be on a faster laptop than that.

[the86d]

You can give it new life (probably making it faster) by installing a non-*buntu distribution of Linux. "Business software" is relative to what you need to do, what you are willing to do, and what your compatibility requirements are.

Ram upgrades can do wonders, and another option would be a faster HDD as another stated, but since it is a single-core, and probably an IDE (not SATA) drive then it may not be worth it...

[Germz]

my god is that an NC6320?

[billofrights]

You can give it new life (probably making it faster) by installing a non-*buntu distribution of Linux. "Business software" is relative to what you need to do, what you are willing to do, and what your compatibility requirements are.

Ram upgrades can do wonders, and another option would be a faster HDD as another stated, but since it is a single-core, and probably an IDE (not SATA) drive then it may not be worth it...

Not to mention, older RAM (i.e. out of production) for a laptop will likely cost more than the machine is worth, $100-200 to max it out wouldn't surprise me.

[d4v0s]

The only upgrades worth considering are installing the fastest cpu offered in those computers (dependent on socket), max out ram with fastest available sticks and of course the ssd route.

Post the model number and I would be happy to spec out the upgrades that are feasible.

Also the serial port is best accomplished using a $10 usb serial adapter.

[Wallabing]

You wont be able to accomplish any big upgrades with that laptop. The old discontinued motherboards and spare cpu will probally be extremely difficult to find or extremely expensive.

Your best best is to upgrade to a SSD drive, then reinstall and continue using windows xp on it, then uprading the RAM (memory stick) to it's max capacity.


And the only way to get RS232 on your laptop is via USB adapter.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812203018

[gorn5150]

You can get a new low end laptop that will blow that old boat anchor out of the water for about $260 and the adapter you will need for less than $15. Upgrading that old one with ram and a SSD will cost more than that probably.

[stilly]

2nd opinion - see above...

Third opinion.

LoL. Rebuild a laptop... Only thing you can do is max out ram and newer faster SSD hard drive if it will take it. MAYBE cpu upgrade, but good luck on that.

[superbarnie]

No, you cannot replace a motherboard. Doing so would cost more than to just buy a new one.

But you can probably upgrade the CPU, depending on your socket. You can also upgrade the RAM, but DDR2 ram (I'm assuming it is DDR2) is not cheap, and I doubt it would make a noticeable difference.

If I were you, I would just buy a new computer.