Question Upgrade an old laptop ?

[georouv7]

I have a toshiba laptop with AMD E1-2100 APU processor with Radeon HD graphics 1.00 GHz, and 4 GB RAM, that i have bought since years, and from the moment i purchased it , i can almost do nothing, even browsing. Can you suggest me if i can upgrade it, put some more RAM , or something else so i can make it a bit functional.Because i can't sell it, and i can neither keep it, because it reminds me how much of a pain it was from the moment i bought it.Any idea?

 

[Lafong]

10 years old; quite weak even when introduced.

Dual core; clock speed 1.0

Probably DDR3L RAM.

I suspect there is very little you can do with it, even if it is in perfect working order.

Is this it:

https://www.newegg.com/satin-black-in-trax-horizon-toshiba-satellite-c55d-a5344/p/N82E16834216675

An SSD would help to some degree...depending on your expectations. Don't know if an SSD is compatible.

 

[georouv7]

10 years old; quite weak even when introduced.

Dual core; clock speed 1.0

Probably DDR3L RAM.

I suspect there is very little you can do with it, even if it is in perfect working order.

Is this it:

https://www.newegg.com/satin-black-in-trax-horizon-toshiba-satellite-c55d-a5344/p/N82E16834216675

Thank you,yes this is it

 

[georouv7]

If i find a newer cpu from an another laptop,a broken laptop or something like it? Can someone suggest me how i can check what cpus are suitable for my laptop's motherboard? Or how i can check which motherboard i have and any site to check for suitable cpus or rams?

 

[falcon291]

I have a toshiba laptop with AMD E1-2100 APU processor with Radeon HD graphics 1.00 GHz, and 4 GB RAM, that i have bought since years, and from the moment i purchased it , i can almost do nothing, even browsing. Can you suggest me if i can upgrade it, put some more RAM , or something else so i can make it a bit functional.Because i can't sell it, and i can neither keep it, because it reminds me how much of a pain it was from the moment i bought it.Any idea?

No.

Adding more RAM, upgrading to a SSD can make it functional to a degree But it is a 12-years-old CPU and I doubt that it is worth it.

Buy a new or used laptop with a CPU at much 3 years old.

 

[Secret-Squirrel]

..................AMD E1-2100 APU processor........................

Ouch! That's a really really slow CPU.

A system is only as fast as its slowest component so upgrading the RAM (if possible) and/or the drive probably won't make much difference.

A client of mine upgraded her laptop to an SSD that had a weak CPU and there was little, if any, performance improvement.

Your CPU is almost certainly soldered to the motherboard and is not replaceable.

 

[Nighthawk117]

An SSD may make this machine faster, however this CPU is obsolete by modern standards. Your money would be better spent put towards a new machine.

 

[Grobe]

Discaimer: This is what I would do with that computer, not what is necessarily the right thing for OP.

Assuming you running Windows on that hardware, my guess is you either run W7 (terrible choice because no loger being maintained) or you've upgraded to W10 that amongst other installed things are huge resource hogs and not being an ideal choice.

Therefore I'd toss out Windows (remember always backup of personal files to an external hdd) and test alternatives OS systems that is less demanding for the hardware. Here I can suggest Linux Mint xfce/Mate, or Linux Lite - those are just the first ones that pops up in my head because the desktop and concept of a start menu that is somewhat similar to Windows 7.

The boot mediums for most Linux distributions are made so that it can be tested (called Live Desktop) without being installed. This way, you have a chance to test out how the system looks and feel, and can play around without breaking the existing OS.

The only downside for a regular user is that Linux is a complete different OS compared to Windows. What you're used to in Windows may not apply in a different OS, especially when it comes to installing software, what software is available, amongst many other things. It is doable, but require patience and spending time to learn new concepts.
True to be told - this can be an overwhelming experience especially if that is the only computer you have access to.


However - I think realistically there are the following choices:

• Continue using it like this with no change. Probably not a god idea in the long run.
• Installing Linux. Pick a distribution mentioned above and just take the plunge. Before this, you must get an idea if there are some software packages you for some reason just cannot live without (this use to be MS Office, Adobe programs, etc).
• Just purchase a new laptop, the old one can be given away (afer cleaning of any personal stuff, software licenses etc - just wipe everything from the hdd).
• Re-install existing OS (if it is W10). If you have a valid license, it should run to 2025 (I think it was before MS stop providing updates and it being unsafe).

No matter what choice you take, use a external hdd or a large usb stick to backup any personal files from that computer.

 

[geofelt]

Changing a laptop hdd to a ssd will bring magical improvement, even on a very old laptop,
Go to the crucial web site and access their update app.

Memory & SSD Upgrades | Crucial.com

Crucial Memory and SSD upgrades - 100% Compatibility Guaranteed for - FREE US Delivery

www.crucial.com

It should tell you what ssd upgrades are possible, along with what ram upgrades are possible.