What's upgradable in a laptop?

[Amino]

Ok, I know this has probably been covered already, but I haven't found any conrete answers using the search. Some people say graphics and cpu are upgradable, some say they're not. Who is right> And can you switch out the mobo too?

I'm thinking of getting a voodoo, but I don't wanna waste my money on a laptop if it'll be obsolete in a few years and not upgradable.

 

[FTC]

Hi,

Normally the memory, hard disk and whatever you can add through a PCMCIA and / or expansion port (USB, serial, paralell, PS2,..) is all you can change/add to a laptop,.. i.e don't count on being able to do more.

However, there are some cases where you can upgrade the CPU and/or GPU, and this depends on the model of laptop, whether the CPU/GPU is socketed or soldered, and on the specific model of chip to upgrade. You are looking then for the existance of a 100% compatible but more powerful chip... and even in this case it is possible that you face problems at the BIOS/firmware level. For instance, nowadays most CPUs have firmware patches that are to be applied by the BIOS, so you need a BIOS which understands about that specific level... in summary, a real mess.

Hope this clarifies it a bit...

 

[Amino]

so no mobo change-outs?

 

[bluediamond]

Most laptops do not let you do any upgrades beyond the hard drive and memory.

 

[BUBBLE]

As far to my knowledge mobo upgrade is not possible but cpu upgradeble is their cause TOSHIBA having few models where u can upgrade your p4 processor to a higher speed one. Normally in any laptop mem and hdd is the only upgradeble parts. So if ya looking frequentley stay upto date with the latest technology then go for a desktop.

 

[Mr.Guvernment]

It depends on the laptop - new laptops now are allowing AGP vid card swaps and CPU's - all depends on who makes the laptop

 

[Amino]

well, that sucks... I guess I'll just get a slim line and a flat panel...