Can most laptops be upgraded? 2022

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Co-authored by

Matt Ham

Last Updated: August 10, 2021

References

Nội dung chính

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:Getting the Laptop Memory Specifications

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:Upgrading Your Laptop’s RAM Memory

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:Getting the Laptop Hard Drive Specifications

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:Upgrading Your Laptop’s Hard Drive

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:Getting the Laptop Video and Sound Card Specifications

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:Upgrading Your Laptop’s Video or Sound Card

Community Q.&A

Warnings

Things You’ll Need

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References

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Due to their compact size, máy tính computers are far less modifiable than desktop computers. Typically, there are three things you can upgrade on a máy tính: the RAM memory, the hard drive, and the video/sound cards. This articles describes the general steps you’ll need to take to upgrade a máy tính, but if you get stuck, you’ll want to check with your computer manufacturer’s documentation.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:Getting the Laptop Memory Specifications

1
Look for your máy tính’s make and model number. Laptops will often have the manufacturer, make, and model number printed on the máy tính itself.
- The make and model number is often printed on the bottom of the máy tính, but is sometimes also printed above the keyboard on the inside of the máy tính.

2
Find the máy tính’s manual. In a search engine, type the manufacturer, make, and model number of your máy tính, and then type manual. Among the search results, you’ll find a link to the manual itself or to a page on the máy tính manufacturer’s website where you can tải về the manual or maintenance guide.
- You can also go directly to the manufacturer’s website to get your máy tính’s manual or maintenance guide.
- If it’s available, tải về the máy tính’s service and maintenance guide, because it will have detailed information about the specific hardware you can use to upgrade your máy tính.

3

Determine how much memory your Windows Vista or Windows 7 máy tính is using. Click the Start menu, right-click Computer, and then click Properties. In the System section, Installed memory (RAM) shows how much memory you have installed.[1]

4

Determine how much memory your Windows 8 máy tính is using. On the desktop, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. In the System section, Installed memory (RAM) shows how much memory you have installed.[2]

5
Determine how much memory your Mac máy tính is using. Click the Apple menu, and then click About This Mac. In the About This Mac window, Memory shows how much RAM you have installed.
- For more information, click More Info, and then click the Memory tab.

6

Determine if you have the maximum RAM or not. In the máy tính manual you downloaded, check the system specifications to see if you’re already using the maximum RAM or not.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:Upgrading Your Laptop’s RAM Memory

1
Determine the kind of RAM your máy tính uses. In the máy tính manual you downloaded, look for the section on memory modules.
- If you can’t find the information in the máy tính manual, there are tools trực tuyến that will show you the correct RAM for a specific make and model of máy tính. Click here for an example of one of these tools.

2
Buy the RAM you need. You can buy the RAM you need in many different places. Once you’ve identified the specific type of RAM you want to buy, in a search engine, type the specific RAM type, and then choose an trực tuyến store where you’d like to purchase the RAM.
- If you’re using more than one RAM memory module, you need to make sure that they’re each the same size. For example, you can’t use a 2 GB RAM module with a 4 GB RAM module. They’ll both need to be 2 GB, for example.

3

Before opening the computer or handling the RAM, ground yourself. Static electricity can destroy computer components. The simplest way to do this is to touch a piece of metal before handling computer components, but there are methods you can use too.[3]

4
Use a screwdriver to open the RAM memory access panel. On many laptops, this panel is on the bottom of the máy tính case and secured with one or more screws.
- Your máy tính maintenance guide will have very specific instructions on how to do this.

5

If you’re replacing your old RAM completely, remove the old RAM memory. If you’re adding RAM to an empty memory slot, you won’t need to remove the old RAM first.

6

Install the new RAM memory. Push the RAM gently, but firmly, into place Do not force the RAM if it isn’t going easily. Do not do touch the RAM chipshold the RAM only on the edges of the module.

7

Use the screwdriver to close the the access panel.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:Getting the Laptop Hard Drive Specifications

1
Look for your máy tính’s make and model number. Laptops will often have the manufacturer, make, and model number printed on the máy tính itself.
- The make and model number is often printed on the bottom of the máy tính, but is sometimes also printed above the keyboard on the inside of the máy tính.

2
Find the máy tính’s manual. In a search engine, type the manufacturer, make, and model number of your máy tính, and then type manual. Among the search results, you’ll find a link to the manual itself or to a page on the máy tính manufacturer’s website where you can tải về the manual or maintenance guide.
- You can also go directly to the manufacturer’s website to get your máy tính’s manual or maintenance guide.
- If it’s available, tải về the máy tính’s service and maintenance guide, because it will have detailed information about the specific hardware you can use to upgrade your máy tính.

3
Find out what hard drives are compatible with your máy tính. In the user manual or maintenance guide, determine the hard drive models that are compatible with your máy tính.
- In a search engine, search for the specific models of hard drives that are compatible with your máy tính.
- If the hard drive isn’t the right physical size, it won’t fit in your máy tính.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:Upgrading Your Laptop’s Hard Drive

1

Plugin the máy tính with its power cord and turn it on. Backing up a hard drive can take more time than a máy tính battery has charge. If you plug it in, you won’t need to worry about how much battery life you have.

2
Backup your máy tính’s hard drive. Before installing your new hard drive, copy the contents of your máy tính’s current hard drive to the new one. This will save some time, because you won’t have to reinstall all of your applications.
- On Windows 8, System Image Backup is the program you can use to backup your hard drive. On Windows 7 and earlier, it’s called Backup and Restore.[4]
- On Mac OS X 10.5 or newer, you can use Time Machine to back up your hard drive. You can also use the Disk Utility to back up your hard drive to CD or DVD.
- If you want to start fresh with your new hard drive, don’t backup to the new hard drive. Install your operating system, and then install and copy over any files that you need.

3

Connect the new hard drive to your máy tính’s USB port. You will need a SATA-to-USB adapter to connect the two hard drives. You can also put the new hard drive into an external hard drive case which will have a USB connection.

4
Install the 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 application.
- Clonezilla is a multi-platform, không lấy phí, open source disk cloning utility.[5]
- There is a large number of cloning software for all of the major operating systems.[6]

5
Clone the old hard drive onto the new hard drive. Before cloning the hard drive, be sure to read the help files to make sure you understand the process.
- The cloning software will check to make sure the new hard drive is large enough to clone the old hard drive to it.

6

After the cloning is finished, shut down the máy tính and unplug it. Be sure to unplug and turn off the new hard drive too. Wait at least one minute for the electricity in the máy tính to dissipate before continuing.

7

Remove the máy tính’s battery. If the battery is in the máy tính, it can give you an electric shock. You may also need to remove it to reach the máy tính’s hard drive.

8
Take out the old hard drive. As noted above, you may be able to reach the hard drive through the battery compartment. On other laptops, you may have to take off the entire outer case or detach the keyboard. A few laptops offer direct access to the hard drive through an access panel on the bottom.
- If you’re not sure how to get to the hard drive for you máy tính, refer to the user manual or maintenance guide for your máy tính.

9

Install the new hard drive. Put the new hard drive in, but do not force it.

10

Reassemble the máy tính and boot it up. If you’re starting up with a blank hard drive, you’ll need to reinstall your operating system.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:Getting the Laptop Video and Sound Card Specifications

1
Look for your máy tính’s make and model number. Laptop’s will often have the manufacturer, make, and model number printed on the máy tính itself.
- The make and model number is often printed on the bottom of the máy tính, but is sometimes also printed above the keyboard on the inside of the máy tính.

2
Find the máy tính’s manual. In a search engine, type the manufacturer, make, and model number of your máy tính, and then type manual. Among the search results, you’ll find a link to the manual itself or to a page on the máy tính manufacturer’s website where you can tải về the manual or maintenance guide.
- You can also go directly to the manufacturer’s website to get your máy tính’s manual or maintenance guide.
- If it’s available, tải về the máy tính’s service and maintenance guide, because it will have detailed information about the specific hardware you can use to upgrade your máy tính.

3
Find out what video and sound cards are compatible with your máy tính. In the user manual or maintenance guide, determine the video and sound cards that are compatible with your máy tính. In some cases, you won’t be able to upgrade your video or sound card. The user manual will have that information.
- In a search engine, search for the specific video or sound cards that are compatible with your máy tính.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:Upgrading Your Laptop’s Video or Sound Card

1

Before starting, unplug the máy tính and remove its battery.

2
Consult your máy tính’s maintenance guide. Due to the wide variety of máy tính models, the process for getting access to the video or sound card can be quite different. Your máy tính’s maintenance guide will have detailed instructions on how to do this.
- For some high-end laptops, removing a panel on the bottom will provide access to the graphics card. For the rest, you’ll need to follow the remaining steps to get to the graphics card slot.

3
Detach the máy tính’s keyboard. For many laptops you can get access to the video and sound card by removing the keyboard.This means removing the screws from under the hinge cover, then lifting out the keyboard and unplugging its connectors.
- In order to keep track of the different screws, use clear adhesive tape to tape related screws to a piece of paper or cardboard, and then label them.
- Some laptops secure the keyboard with latches that let you detach the keyboard without having to unscrew it.

4

If necessary, remove the screen apparatus. For some laptops, you’ll need to remove the máy tính screen in order to get access to the video and sound card cables. Take out the screws that hold the display assembly in place, and then unplug the video and wireless antenna cables.

5

If necessary, remove the CD/DVD drive. On most laptops, this means pushing in the release latch and sliding out the drive bay.

6

If necessary, remove the máy tính’s upper shell. Take out the screws that hold it to the base of the máy tính.

7

Remove the old graphics card.

8

Install the new graphics card in its slot. Push the card in straight, but firmly. Do not force it.

9

Reassemble the máy tính. Reverse the steps you followed to install the new card in order to reassemble the máy tính.

Community Q.&A

Question

Is it worth buying parts to upgrade a máy tính?

Matt Ham

Computer Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

It depends on how much money you have and how old your máy tính is. If it’s only a year or two old, it’s probably worth upgrading some of the components if you want to improve the speed. If you’ve got a dinosaur on your hands though, it may be worth just replacing it.

Question

If I could replace one component, what should it be?

Matt Ham

Computer Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

If you don’t have a solid-state hard drive, that’s probably the best choice. Switching from an old school hard drive to a solid state hard drive is like moving from a golf cart to a race car. If you’ve already got a solid-state drive, I’d probably look at upgrading your RAM.

Question

How can I keep my computer from slowing down without buying new pieces?

Matt Ham

Computer Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

Reinstall your operating system every 18 months or so. A lot of people don’t do this, and it’s a great way to keep your computer from getting clogged up with junk and old files.

Question

How can you update your graphics card in a máy tính?

Community Answer

Getting the right drivers and making sure the computer runs as smooth as possible can help. Or maybe make sure it’s cool enough for your máy tính. Updating would only work if your máy tính is able to get updated that way. Normally laptops don’t come with cards you can put in or take out.

Question

How do I upgrade to iOS 9 on my HP 15.6 máy tính?

Community Answer

You can’t. It uses a Windows operating system, and Windows doesn’t tư vấn iOS.

Question

How do I upgrade to Windows 10?

Community Answer

Purchase Windows 10 and follow the installation instructions.

Question

Can a máy tính be changed from Windows 7 to Windows 10 through the internet?

Community Answer

You cannot upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 via internet. You must tải về the Windows 10 file from Microsoft and install that to your computer.

Question

Can I add a Bose speaker to my máy tính?

Community Answer

Yes. Just follow the instruction manual that came with the speaker.

Question

Where can I buy a graphics card for my máy tính? I’m currently using a Radeon R7 M360 on my Lenovo z-51. Please help me find the correct one.

Bryan Beege Berry

Community Answer

If you’re looking to buy a different graphics card, you may be out of luck. Laptops and graphics cards each have a specific form factor, and the likelihood of compatibility between any arbitrary two is unlikely. If you’re looking to replace the existing one with the same model, it should be relatively easy to find the correct one based on the model number.

Question

I have Laptop compaq 58 Core i3, the hard desk is 500 GB, can I replace it by another that 2 TB?

Community Answer

Most computers can be upgraded to 2TB HDDs. However, you need to make sure that the HDD will fit in your computer. PS: If you want more speed (faster boot ups) get an SSD.

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Warnings

While it is possible to upgrade a máy tính in the ways described above, you should not shop for a máy tính thinking you can upgrade it later. In most cases, it is more cost-effective to buy a máy tính with all the features you need from the start, and perhaps a few more than to buy a lesser machine and upgrade it to the level you want.

While desktop computers usually allow users to select RAM memory and graphics cards from any manufacturer, máy tính computers usually require users to obtain upgrade equipment from the máy tính’s manufacturer.