Due to their compact size, laptops are much less modifiable than desktop computers. In general, there are three things you can upgrade on a laptop: RAM, hard drive, and sound and video cards. This step describes the general steps you should take to update a laptop, but it is advisable to consult the computer manufacturer's documentation if you get stuck.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Find out your laptop's memory specifications
Step 1. Find the make and model of the laptop
Laptops often have the brand, manufacturer, and model number printed on the device itself.
The brand and model number are usually printed on the bottom of the laptop, but are sometimes found on the top of the keyboard or inside the laptop
Step 2. Find the manual for the laptop
Enter the laptop manufacturer, make, and model number followed by the word manual into a search engine. Among the search results, you will find the link to the manual or to the laptop manufacturer's website, where you can download the manual or maintenance guide.
- You can also go directly to the manufacturer's page to obtain the manual or maintenance guide for your laptop.
- If available, download the service and maintenance guide, which will contain detailed information on the specific hardware you can use to update your laptop.
Step 3. Determine how much memory a Windows Vista or Windows 7 laptop uses
Click on the Start menu, right-click on "Computer" and then "Properties." In the "System" section, the "Installed memory (RAM)" category shows how much memory is installed.
Step 4. Determine how much memory a Windows 8 laptop uses
On the desktop, right-click on "Computer" and "Properties." In the "System" section, the "Installed memory (RAM)" category shows how much memory is installed.
Step 5. Determine how much memory a Mac laptop uses
Click on the Apple menu and then on "About this Mac." In the "About This Mac" window, the "Memory" section shows how much RAM is installed.
For more information, click the More information button and then the Memory tab
Step 6. Determine if you have the maximum accepted RAM or not
In the manual of the laptop you downloaded, check the system specifications to see if you already use the maximum amount of RAM or not.
Method 2 of 6: Upgrade your computer's RAM
Step 1. Determine the type of RAM the laptop uses
In the manual you downloaded, find the section on memory modules.
- If you can't find the information in the laptop manual, there are online tools that show the correct RAM for a specific make and model of laptop. Click here to get one of these tools.
Upgrade a Laptop Step 2
Step 2. Buy the RAM you need
You can buy the RAM you need in many places. Once you've identified the specific type of RAM you want, enter it into a search engine and choose the online store you'd like to buy it from.
If you use more than one RAM module, you must make sure that they are all the same size. For example, you can't use a 2GB module with a 4GB one. Both must be 2GB
Step 3. Before opening the computer or handling the RAM, ground yourself
Static electricity can destroy computer components. The easiest way to do this is to touch a piece of metal before handling computer components, but there are other methods you can use.
Step 4. Use a screwdriver to open the RAM access panel
On many laptops, this panel is located at the bottom of the case and is secured with one or more screws.
Your laptop maintenance guide will contain very specific instructions for doing this
Step 5. If you completely replace old RAM, remove the old modules
If you are adding RAM to an empty slot, it is not necessary to remove the old RAM first.
Step 6. Install the new RAM
Push the RAM gently but firmly to insert it. Don't force it if it doesn't go in easily.
Step 7. Use the screwdriver to close the access panel
Method 3 of 6: Get the laptop's hard drive specs
Step 1. Find the make and model number of the laptop
Laptops often have the manufacturer, make, and model printed on the device itself.
The brand and model number are usually printed on the bottom of the laptop, but are sometimes found on the top of the keyboard or inside the laptop
Step 2. Find the manual for the laptop
Enter the laptop manufacturer, make, and model number followed by the word manual into a search engine. Among the search results, you will find the link to the manual or to the laptop manufacturer's website, where you can download the manual or maintenance guide.
- You can also go directly to the manufacturer's page to obtain the manual or maintenance guide for your laptop.
- If available, download the service and maintenance guide, which will contain detailed information on the specific hardware you can use to update your laptop.
Step 3. Find out which hard drives are compatible with the laptop
Determine the hard drive models that are compatible with your laptop using the manual or maintenance guide.
- Look for hard drive models that are compatible with your laptop in a search engine.
- If the hard drive is not the proper physical size, it will not fit into the laptop slot.
Method 4 of 6: Update the laptop's hard drive
Step 1. Connect the laptop with the power adapter and turn it on
Backing up the hard drive may take longer than the battery life. If you plug it in, you won't have to worry about how much battery is left.
Step 2. Make a backup of the hard drive
Before installing the new hard drive, copy the contents of the current hard drive to the new one. This will save you time, as you will not have to reinstall all the programs.
- In Windows 8, "System Image Backup" is the program that can be used to back up the hard drive. In Windows 7 and earlier versions, the application is called "Backup and Restore."
- On Mac OS X 10.5 or higher, you can use "Time Machine" to back up your hard drive. You can also use "Disk Utility" to back up your hard drive to a CD or DVD.
- If you want to start over with the new hard drive, don't back up the old one. Install the operating system and then copy the files you need.
Step 3. Plug the new hard drive into the laptop's USB port
You need a SATA to USB adapter to connect both drives. You can also put the new drive in an external hard drive enclosure, which will have a USB connection.
Step 4. Install cloning software on the old hard drive
Some hard drive manufacturers include their own cloning software, which may already be on your computer. You can also use a third party app.
- Clonezilla is a free, open source, cross-platform disk cloning tool.
- There is a wide variety of cloning software for most major operating systems.
Step 5. Clone the old hard drive to the new one
Before cloning the hard drive, be sure to read the help files to make sure you understand the process.
The cloning software will check that the hard drive is large enough to clone the old drive to it
Step 6. When cloning is complete, turn off the laptop and unplug it
Make sure to unplug and power off the new drive as well. Wait at least a minute for the power to the laptop to dissipate before continuing.
Step 7. Remove the battery from the laptop
If the battery is in the hard drive, you could get an electric shock. Also, you may have to remove it to reach the hard drive.
Step 8. Remove the old hard drive
As described before, you may be able to reach the hard drive through the battery compartment. On other computers, you may have to remove the outer casing entirely or remove the keyboard. A few laptops have direct access to the hard drive through an access panel at the bottom.
If you're not sure how to remove the hard drive from your laptop, refer to your laptop's user manual or maintenance guide
Step 9. Install the new hard drive
Insert the hard drive, but without forcing it.
Step 10. Mount the laptop again and turn it on
If you start with a blank hard drive, you will have to reinstall the operating system.
Method 5 of 6: Get the laptop's video and sound card specifications
Step 1. Find the make and model number of the laptop
Laptops often have the manufacturer, make, and model printed on the device itself.
The brand and model number are usually printed on the bottom of the laptop, but are sometimes found on the top of the keyboard or inside the laptop
Step 2. Find the manual for the laptop
Enter the laptop manufacturer, make, and model number followed by the word manual into a search engine. Among the search results, you will find the link to the manual or to the laptop manufacturer's website, where you can download the manual or maintenance guide.
- You can also go directly to the manufacturer's page to obtain the manual or maintenance guide for your laptop.
- If available, download the service and maintenance guide, which will contain detailed information on the specific hardware you can use to update your laptop.
Step 3. Find out which video and sound cards are compatible with your laptop
Using the manual or maintenance guide, determine your laptop's compatibility with video and sound cards. In some cases, it will not be possible to update any of these cards. The user manual contains this information.
Search for sound and video cards that are compatible with your laptop in a search engine
Method 6 of 6: Upgrade your laptop's video and sound cards
Step 1. Before starting, unplug the laptop and remove the battery
Step 2. Check your laptop maintenance guide
Due to the wide variety of laptop models, the process for accessing video and sound cards can be very different. The laptop maintenance guide contains detailed instructions on how to do this.
For high-end laptops, removing the bottom panel will give you access to the graphics card. For all other devices, you will have to follow the remaining steps to access the graphics card slot
Step 3. Remove the keyboard from the laptop
On many laptops, you can access the sound and video cards by removing the keyboard. This involves removing the screws from the hinge covers, lifting the keyboard, and removing the connectors.
- To keep track of the origin of the various screws, use clear tape to tape the screws to a piece of paper or cardboard and label them.
- Some laptops secure the keyboard with locks that allow you to remove it without unscrewing.
Step 4. If necessary, remove the screen
On some laptops, you will have to remove the screen to access the video and sound card cables. Remove the screws holding the display and disconnect the antenna and video cables from the wireless device.
Step 5. If necessary, remove the CD or DVD drive
On most laptops, this involves pressing down on the release latch and sliding the drive bay.
Step 6. If necessary, remove the top case from the laptop
Remove the screws that hold it to the base of the laptop.
Step 7. Remove the old graphics card
Step 8. Install the new graphics card in the slot
Push the card straight and firmly. Don't force it.
Step 9. Mount the laptop again
Reverse the steps you followed to install the new card to mount the laptop again.
Warnings
- While it is possible to upgrade your laptop using the methods outlined, you shouldn't buy a laptop with a later upgrade in mind. In most cases, it is cheaper to buy a laptop with all the features you need up front and perhaps a few more than to buy an inferior machine and upgrade it to the level you want.
- While desktop computers allow users to select RAM and graphics cards from any manufacturer, laptops usually require components from the manufacturer.