Laptop hardware???

Hello everyone
I am thinking about buying a laptop but I'm wondering how the hardware on it would work. I'm very comfortable with towers and desktops hardware i have no problem, but i have never seen the inside of a laptop I'm wondering if i can change the video cards and processor and other stuff on it. I'm about to buy a laptop with about 32MB video card and thats not enough for me so thats why I'm asking if you can add a new video card or do i have to stick with the one thats onboard? also if i can have multiple hard drives on it?

 

Pending on the laptop. One can add more ram, or upgrade the cpu.

But, the video card is hard to upgrade, unless the manufacturer has an upgrade option.

There are laptops (alienware (dellinware)?) that allow for upgrading the laptop video card, but, we are talking initial costs of $3000+.

 

You can have multiple hard drives "only external" as much as I know, USB hard drives or firewire..etc

 

Typically, the only upgrading that you can do to a portable is memory, wireless options, or maybe the optical drive. Pretty much any other upgrading has to be done at time of purchase.

Many manufacturers have integrated video ... & even the ones that have "video upgrades" often just change out the chip that is soldered onto the motherboard.

You MIGHT be able to upgrade the processor ... but I wouldn't hold your breath on that. You could potentially upgrade the LCD as well (if you can find any of these parts ...).

 

HDD, Ram, CPU are reasonably easy upgrades on most laptops. In the case of a cpu there is of course an upgrade path as you are probably well aware.

The other aspect to consider is that some laptop manufacturers have quite extensive manuals for dismantling their products. Other manufacturers have nothing to help you. I say this because as an example to remove the HDD from a Dell Laptop is quite simple but in the case of certain Vaio models it requires the removal of the keyboard.

Having said that certain Dell models that I have run across require the keyboard to be removed to add an additional module of ram.

I think the easiest way forwards for you is to find out.

In respect of VGA upgrade, trickier and I think that thefool has summarised the issue.

 

Upgrade before you buy.

 

Don't forget your new laptop will be under Warranty for a year or so, so you won't be able to alter much for 12 months, or more, without voiding your Warranty.

As others have advised earlier, it is much better to spend more $$$$ first up, on better specs, than try to alter afterwards. My old Gateway Solo 9300 (1999) used to have to 2 physical hard drives but the only one I have seen recently is a top of the line $$$$ model by another manufacturer.

Make sure you fit the largest RAM capacity you are after in the least amount of sticks. Most laptops (all?) only have 2 slots, so buy 512MB, 1 gig or 2 gig if you have the $$$ in 1 stick of RAM to allow for more later. This will cost you a bit more initially but save in the long run.

Maybe post the make and model of the laptop you are interested in here, so MG folks can comment / suggest alternatives. Let us know your budget $$$ limit, as well, if you want to.

Bazza

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Thanks for all the info everyone