A Question for Tech-Savvy Folks

[Avi]

I have an HP dv2815nr laptop, and I'm wondering if it is at all practical for a laptop to be upgraded, say, with an enhanced processor.  I've never run into the problem myself, but I would like a faster computer, and I really don't want to have to go out and buy a whole new laptop.  It's less than a year old, so it's not really out-dated or anything like that.  Can Geek Squad or other fine folks upgrade laptops, or no?

[Oniya]

The problem with upgrading laptops is that they are so tightly packed.  I used to work in a place where I would have to do things like swap hard drives in and out of computers, and it was a mess working on the laptops - the only thing worse was putting a new drive in an iMac.  Ram upgrades weren't too bad, but the lab I worked for never upgraded processor chips, and those aren't usually an end-user replacement either.

Possible, maybe - if you get the right geek (and based on other people's reports, Geek Squad may not be it).  However, I wouldn't be surprised if it is as pricey (or more so) as getting a new machine.

[Avi]

Gah!  *curses my luck*  I just got Empire: Total War today, and I meet all of the system requirements EXCEPT the processor.  RAM is more than high enough, and the video card is fine.  The only thing is the damn processor, and I know from experience that it's the most important requirement.  2.0 ghz instead of 2.4 ghz. X_X

[Oniya]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/148910/replace_your_laptops_cpu.html

Found this article - if you have some local tech-savvy geek friends that are comfortable with doing it, this could help, and you might be able to barter with them.

[Caeli]

If you have a very tech-savvy friend (i.e., one who upgrades with his/her own laptop), I would suggest letting them do it rather than having it done professionally.

Personally, if you can afford it, I would suggest that build a desktop for gaming. It's way cheaper than buying a kick-ass laptop, and it's dozens of times easier to upgrade.

[Avi]

That's what I've come to understand... a desktop is just a massive hassle in college, though.  *thinks*  Might be ironic if my OLD laptop can run the game, though.  I'll have to check on that when I get home tomorrow.  Lol

[Caeli]

That's what I've come to understand... a desktop is just a massive hassle in college, though.  *thinks*  Might be ironic if my OLD laptop can run the game, though.  I'll have to check on that when I get home tomorrow.  Lol

Only if you live in campus. If you live off campus and you plan on staying there for a good 1-2 years, it might be worth it to invest in it, especially if you're a gamer.

My friend put together the sickest desktop ever, for about $1000, and it runs practically silent - you can't even hear it, and it rocks to game with. :)

[Avi]

Hrrrrmmmm... *nods*  I'll have to think about that.  Especially once I'm in grad school, since now I'm sticking to living on campus for the sake of convenience.  My friend had a custom desktop built for him, and it's still really good three years later.

[Caeli]

Desktops are great because you can readily upgrade as necessary, and even if you get a bunch of really great parts, they don't cost nearly as much to upgrade as if you try to upgrade a laptop. -.-; I won't even tell you how much it would have cost me to soup up my new laptop - well over $2000, I'm sure, and probably more, since I'm interested in installing more RAM after I turn it into a 64 bit system.

[OldSchoolGamer]

Yes, if performance and upgradability are priorities, definitely build a desktop.  Laptops are orders of magnitude more difficult to upgrade.