Best OS For my laptop?????

[TheKiller]

I have a Sony VAIO VGN-N31S running Windows Vista. whats the best upgrade i can do to make a it a bit faster??
I only use the pc to browse the internet/watch youtube.

Any advice how to make it run faster?

 

[sizzling]

You need to check the Sony website to ensure there are drivers available for other versions of Windows

 

[anbello262]

I certainly wouldn't recommend spending around $100 on a new Windows version in order to have only a little bit more performance (even if compatible) for an old laptop.

So, the only OS I can recommend is some Linux/Ubuntu of your choice. They will give you better performance overall, but will dramatically change your user experience.

Certain given hardware can only perform to a limit, so you might be better off just saving money to replace your old laptop, or use it as is.
Even without changin the OS, you can reset it to factory settings or format it, to have some better performance for a while.

 

[Martell1977]

I have a Sony VAIO VGN-N31S running Windows Vista. whats the best upgrade i can do to make a it a bit faster??
I only use the pc to browse the internet/watch youtube.

Any advice how to make it run faster?

If you upgrade the RAM to max it out, you could probably run Windows 10. I had a Dell 1720 that is of the same generation as your laptop and I upgraded it over time from Vista 32-bit, to Windows 7 64-bit, to Windows 10 64-bit now. This was after upgrading the RAM from 2gb to the max of 4gb.
While not blazing fast, it still runs good and my nephew now uses it.

If so inclined and willing to do the research, you might be able to upgrade the CPU as well. I was able to go from a T7500 to a T9500 in mine (this does not mean you can, but with research, might be possible to find a decent upgrade)

The issue you might run in to is drivers. I had to install Windows 7, then all drivers, then upgrade to 10. As windows 10 didn't have all the proper drivers for it. You might be able to install Windows 10 and, using compatibility mode, get the Windows 7 drivers to install.

You are probably looking at about $100 for Windows, $40 for RAM, and if possible, about $30 for a CPU upgrade.


All that being said, at a minimum, I'd suggest upgrading the RAM to improve the overall performance. 1gb is WAY too low for Vista.(assuming this is the 1gb model and not upgraded yet)