Upgrade Your Laptop: How To Improve Laptop’s Performance
Laptops aren’t particularly expensive these days. As the television adverts often remind us, you can pick up a model with a recognisable name badge for £299 or so.
But what happens a year or two down the line, when you’re feeling a bit wealthier and fancy a more powerful machine? It seems ashame to replace a perfectly good – if slightly underpowered – laptop just because you can afford to. Time and effort have gone into installing the programs you use and accruing the files and photos you want to keep.
The good news is that a few tweaks or a judicious upgrade can boost the performance and capabilities of your machine. We’ll talk you through the key laptop upgrades.
Fit faster RAM
RAM provides the foundation for your laptop to juggle multiple windows and applications. If you can upgrade the operating memory, you’ll get a performance fillip. But bear in mind that, since it’s possible to add more RAM than is useful, installing faster, low latency RAM may eke out better results than simply throwing in the maximum amount.
Generally speaking, low-latency RAM with a clock frequency at or above the bus of your CPU should make for a successful upgrade. Most RAM vendors let you shop based on your laptop’s make. If you’re unsure which to buy, a utility such as Crucial’s RAM scanner (crucial.com) can identify what you need. With that information, you can buy compatible RAM with the lowest latency (Column Address Strobe Latency, or CL)
as possible. The rating references the time the memory takes to output requested data, often measured in clock cycles. A lower number means a shorter time.
Install a solid-state drive
Solid-state dives (SSDs) trump standard hard disks in many ways. They’re lighter, they store data in flash memory, they have no moving parts and are both faster and more reliable. And an SSD merely sips from your laptop’s battery because it lacks those motors.
You’ll pay more for these features and will probably end up with a smaller storage capacity after the SSD transplant, but these drives beat spinning platters in nearly every way.
Another boost for laptop users comes from USB flash memory drives (the same memory type found in SSDs). Both Vista and Windows 7 support ReadyBoost – an option where by the unused memory of a plugged in flash drive is used as additional operating memory. Even an iPod’s memory can be used for this purpose. Go to the Settings menu in iTunes and opt to use part of the memory as an additional drive.
Add a bigger hard disk
Many laptops ship with a relatively small hard drive, which will restrict those who like to store lots of music and video. Break through those barriers by swapping that drive for a much more capacious replacement. It’s one of the cheapest and easiest upgrades you can make. A 2.5-inch, 500GB SATA drive costs about £60, leaving ample room for files and for the operating system’s (OS’s) virtual memory. You could even split the drive into multiple partitions for organisation or a second OS.
Check your laptop’s manual or consult the manufacturer’s website to learn more about the upgrade process. In most instances, you’ll be able to open a door on the back of the laptop or remove the keyboard to swap in the new hard drive. A SATA USB transfer cable can help move your old data to the new drive.
Use a less demanding OS
No one would accuse Windows of being a laid-back, lightweight OS. It’s notoriously resource-heavy, with many hundreds of processes and applets running concurrently. If your laptop is showing the strain, it’s worth considering a kinder OS. Vista users keen to continue in a Microsoft environment will find Windows 7 a leaner, Smoother experience.
If you don’t mind leaving behind familiar Windows programs, there are plenty of alternative options, including iterations of Linux and a dual-boot or virtual version of Apple’s Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.
For laptop users who really want to cutback, options include Linux on a stick in the form of a Sandisk U3 flash memory drive (u3.sandisk.com). Netbook users can opt for an exceptionally user-friendly form of Linux in the shape of Jolicloud . By limiting yourself to only lean applications that draw on few system resources, you should find everyday laptop use a more satisfactory affair.
Processor possibilities
A new CPU or graphics processor could add oomph to an ageing laptop – but very few laptops can actually be upgraded in this way, since it’s now common practice for manufacturers to solder the CPU on to the motherboard. Not only that, but performing this upgrade on a laptop is a complex process- you may have to remove the keyboard and other items in front of the processor – and getting the right parts can be hard.
We’d probably recommend that you look into other upgrades first. But if you do get the parts required to upgrade your laptop processor, and fancy the challenge.
It’s also worth looking on your laptop manufacturer’s website for upgrade options, as the company may be able to fit a faster processor or better graphics card for you.
Cool down to speed things up
Keeping a laptop cool is a real challenge. There’s no faster way to hasten your laptop’s demise than allowing it to run too hot and not giving it a chalice to cool down. Efficient cooling equals improved performance.
You can fit a more efficient fan, but an easier option is to use a laptop cooling stand. Akasa, Logitech, Philips and others make fairly clunky but efficient stands that plug into a USB port on the laptop and power a fan that helps cool the computer. Meanwhile, slats in the Stand itself provide a welcome draught for hot air exhausting from the laptop’s over-worked fan to escape. Less contact on the base also means the machine doesn’t get quite so hot in the first place.
Add SATA and USB 3.0
If you carry a Swiss Army knife or a similar multi-tool device, you probably don’t take advantage of every file, knife and toothpick on a daily basis: instead, you carry that arsenal for the unexpected moment when you might need one of those tools. The same principle applies to your laptop’s array of connection options – it’s good to know you have a means of using a peripheral when the need arises. It’s pretty effortless to go about adding any interfaces that are currently missing from your laptop.
Gigabit ethernet, FireWire, Bluetooth 2.1, eSATA, 802.11n Wi-Fi and USB 3.0 can all be added via an ExpressCard slot, if your laptop has one. An ExpressCard slot is a good choice since it’s fast enough to make the most of the upgrade. For some upgrades, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you might be able to swap an internal module into the laptop; Contact your PC’s manufacturer to see if that works for your model. For upgrades that run at slower speeds, including Bluetooth, you could instead plug an external adaptor into a USBport. Belkin, Linksys and other companies offer various connection options.
Memory card slots can simply be added by plugging in a USB memory card adaptor whenever you need one. These can be picked up for as little as £1.50.
Use touch-free controls
When was the last time you used your laptop’s webcam? Instead of letting the camera languish unused, try one of these software tools to turn it into an input device. Although some of these apps are intended for people with physical impairments, anyone can use them to boost a laptop’s controls.
Camspace (camspace.com) is pitched at gamers, but you can configure it for any program. It identifies objects in the webcam’s video feed and uses your movements to control the mouse and keyboard.
Eyetwig (eyetwig.com) translates head movements into mouse control, letting you point and click without touching anything.
Mouse gestures can also be used to speed up input. On certain laptops, multitouch gestures instantly activate commands. You can use motions with any touchpad or mouse, however – simply install Strokelt (tcbmi.com/strokelt) to Scriptspecific mouse movements to activate commands. For example, you could hold the right mouse button and make a Z shape to go hack a page in Firefox.
Connect to an external display
It’s no secret that you can attach your laptop or netbook to an external display or even multiple displays. If you haven’t got a built-in port but you want to attach more screens,use a USB adaptor. Since the screen connects via USB 2.0, the performance is capped (don’texpect to view 3D applications or games).
But for nearly any day-to-day task, the alchemy works well, giving you an additional display – or up to six displays, if you keep adding more adaptors and have a sufficient number of USB ports.
Boost battery life
Care for a laptop’s battery and it should last for several years. But if yours isn’t holding enough charge, a third-party battery can give you more juice.
Wherever you purchase the battery, make sure you’re buying a new one. Batteries deteriorate over time and through use, so an old or refurbished battery won’t work as well.
Find a battery that’s compatible with your laptop and compare its ratings with those of the original.
Laptops aren’t particularly expensive these days. As the television adverts often remind us, you can pick up a model with a recognisable name badge for £299 or so.
But what happens a year or two down the line, when you’re feeling a bit wealthier and fancy a more powerful machine? It seems ashame to replace a perfectly good – if slightly underpowered – laptop just because you can afford to. Time and effort have gone into installing the programs you use and accruing the files and photos you want to keep.
The good news is that a few tweaks or a judicious upgrade can boost the performance and capabilities of your machine. We’ll talk you through the key laptop upgrades.
Fit faster RAM
RAM provides the foundation for your laptop to juggle multiple windows and applications. If you can upgrade the operating memory, you’ll get a performance fillip. But bear in mind that, since it’s possible to add more RAM than is useful, installing faster, low latency RAM may eke out better results than simply throwing in the maximum amount.
Generally speaking, low-latency RAM with a clock frequency at or above the bus of your CPU should make for a successful upgrade. Most RAM vendors let you shop based on your laptop’s make. If you’re unsure which to buy, a utility such as Crucial’s RAM scanner (crucial.com) can identify what you need. With that information, you can buy compatible RAM with the lowest latency (Column Address Strobe Latency, or CL)
as possible. The rating references the time the memory takes to output requested data, often measured in clock cycles. A lower number means a shorter time.
Install a solid-state drive
Solid-state dives (SSDs) trump standard hard disks in many ways. They’re lighter, they store data in flash memory, they have no moving parts and are both faster and more reliable. And an SSD merely sips from your laptop’s battery because it lacks those motors.
You’ll pay more for these features and will probably end up with a smaller storage capacity after the SSD transplant, but these drives beat spinning platters in nearly every way.
Another boost for laptop users comes from USB flash memory drives (the same memory type found in SSDs). Both Vista and Windows 7 support ReadyBoost – an option where by the unused memory of a plugged in flash drive is used as additional operating memory. Even an iPod’s memory can be used for this purpose. Go to the Settings menu in iTunes and opt to use part of the memory as an additional drive.
Add a bigger hard disk
Many laptops ship with a relatively small hard drive, which will restrict those who like to store lots of music and video. Break through those barriers by swapping that drive for a much more capacious replacement. It’s one of the cheapest and easiest upgrades you can make. A 2.5-inch, 500GB SATA drive costs about £60, leaving ample room for files and for the operating system’s (OS’s) virtual memory. You could even split the drive into multiple partitions for organisation or a second OS.
Check your laptop’s manual or consult the manufacturer’s website to learn more about the upgrade process. In most instances, you’ll be able to open a door on the back of the laptop or remove the keyboard to swap in the new hard drive. A SATA USB transfer cable can help move your old data to the new drive.
Use a less demanding OS
No one would accuse Windows of being a laid-back, lightweight OS. It’s notoriously resource-heavy, with many hundreds of processes and applets running concurrently. If your laptop is showing the strain, it’s worth considering a kinder OS. Vista users keen to continue in a Microsoft environment will find Windows 7 a leaner, Smoother experience.
If you don’t mind leaving behind familiar Windows programs, there are plenty of alternative options, including iterations of Linux and a dual-boot or virtual version of Apple’s Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.
For laptop users who really want to cutback, options include Linux on a stick in the form of a Sandisk U3 flash memory drive (u3.sandisk.com). Netbook users can opt for an exceptionally user-friendly form of Linux in the shape of Jolicloud . By limiting yourself to only lean applications that draw on few system resources, you should find everyday laptop use a more satisfactory affair.
Processor possibilities
A new CPU or graphics processor could add oomph to an ageing laptop – but very few laptops can actually be upgraded in this way, since it’s now common practice for manufacturers to solder the CPU on to the motherboard. Not only that, but performing this upgrade on a laptop is a complex process- you may have to remove the keyboard and other items in front of the processor – and getting the right parts can be hard.
We’d probably recommend that you look into other upgrades first. But if you do get the parts required to upgrade your laptop processor, and fancy the challenge.
It’s also worth looking on your laptop manufacturer’s website for upgrade options, as the company may be able to fit a faster processor or better graphics card for you.
Cool down to speed things up
Keeping a laptop cool is a real challenge. There’s no faster way to hasten your laptop’s demise than allowing it to run too hot and not giving it a chalice to cool down. Efficient cooling equals improved performance.
You can fit a more efficient fan, but an easier option is to use a laptop cooling stand. Akasa, Logitech, Philips and others make fairly clunky but efficient stands that plug into a USB port on the laptop and power a fan that helps cool the computer. Meanwhile, slats in the Stand itself provide a welcome draught for hot air exhausting from the laptop’s over-worked fan to escape. Less contact on the base also means the machine doesn’t get quite so hot in the first place.
Add SATA and USB 3.0
If you carry a Swiss Army knife or a similar multi-tool device, you probably don’t take advantage of every file, knife and toothpick on a daily basis: instead, you carry that arsenal for the unexpected moment when you might need one of those tools. The same principle applies to your laptop’s array of connection options – it’s good to know you have a means of using a peripheral when the need arises. It’s pretty effortless to go about adding any interfaces that are currently missing from your laptop.
Gigabit ethernet, FireWire, Bluetooth 2.1, eSATA, 802.11n Wi-Fi and USB 3.0 can all be added via an ExpressCard slot, if your laptop has one. An ExpressCard slot is a good choice since it’s fast enough to make the most of the upgrade. For some upgrades, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you might be able to swap an internal module into the laptop; Contact your PC’s manufacturer to see if that works for your model. For upgrades that run at slower speeds, including Bluetooth, you could instead plug an external adaptor into a USBport. Belkin, Linksys and other companies offer various connection options.
Memory card slots can simply be added by plugging in a USB memory card adaptor whenever you need one. These can be picked up for as little as £1.50.
Use touch-free controls
When was the last time you used your laptop’s webcam? Instead of letting the camera languish unused, try one of these software tools to turn it into an input device. Although some of these apps are intended for people with physical impairments, anyone can use them to boost a laptop’s controls.
Camspace (camspace.com) is pitched at gamers, but you can configure it for any program. It identifies objects in the webcam’s video feed and uses your movements to control the mouse and keyboard.
Eyetwig (eyetwig.com) translates head movements into mouse control, letting you point and click without touching anything.
Mouse gestures can also be used to speed up input. On certain laptops, multitouch gestures instantly activate commands. You can use motions with any touchpad or mouse, however – simply install Strokelt (tcbmi.com/strokelt) to Scriptspecific mouse movements to activate commands. For example, you could hold the right mouse button and make a Z shape to go hack a page in Firefox.
Connect to an external display
It’s no secret that you can attach your laptop or netbook to an external display or even multiple displays. If you haven’t got a built-in port but you want to attach more screens,use a USB adaptor. Since the screen connects via USB 2.0, the performance is capped (don’texpect to view 3D applications or games).
But for nearly any day-to-day task, the alchemy works well, giving you an additional display – or up to six displays, if you keep adding more adaptors and have a sufficient number of USB ports.
Boost battery life
Care for a laptop’s battery and it should last for several years. But if yours isn’t holding enough charge, a third-party battery can give you more juice.
Wherever you purchase the battery, make sure you’re buying a new one. Batteries deteriorate over time and through use, so an old or refurbished battery won’t work as well.
Find a battery that’s compatible with your laptop and compare its ratings with those of the original.
