Is it worth updating an old laptop ?

rfuerst911sc · 11-25-2020, 05:15 AM

So I have an older Toshiba laptop computer , it originally came with Windows 7 but is now running 10 . This is still an old school design with built in DVR . Everything still works and generally I am happy with it .

It could use a new battery but I use it plugged in so not an issue . My only real complaint is it is slower than it once was . I guess I could have a " pro " give it a tune up and it would be quicker . The new SSD drives are so inexpensive I am wondering if installing one along with a tune up will get faster performance .

I use the computer for general web surfing , checking email , online research and purchases along with picture storage . It has been a very solid computer and I would say probably better quality than today's mid price level computers . Any feedback from you guys on upgrading older hardware is appreciated .

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

You don't need a pro to give it a tune up. Run system management and it should clean things up a bit for you. If that doesn't work, and you can still download Win10, do a full format and fresh reinstall of 10. One thing that will improve your performance a bit is upgrading RAM which can be bought on the cheap. You just need to know what your system max is and then go buy it.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

Clone the drive onto a SSD and install the SSD. Solid State drives will make it much faster.

dad911 · 11-25-2020, 05:43 AM

Unless it was top of the line back then, laptops are so cheap I'd buy a new one.....

If you have time to kill put linux on the old one for browsing.

wildthing · 11-25-2020, 05:51 AM

I have a 2011 MacBook Pro so YMMV with a Windows device. A compatible SSD is now only 60 bucks. The battery is starting to bulge so the trackpad has stopped responding to clicks. I could live without the battery because it works when plugged in. My 1st grader uses it for her online classes. It works most of the time.

To swap out the SSD I will also need an SSD adapter. And some time to do the mirroring as GH85 says.

In the end I will have a slightly faster MacBook Pro that still cannot be upgraded to the latest Mac OS.

So I’m not going to bother. I’ll just wait until it breaks or my wife complains, whichever comes first.

Pazuzu · 11-25-2020, 06:55 AM

SSD, max the ram, fresh install of W10 will make it maybe twice as fast as it is now.

Is it a 32 bit or 64 bit version? Type "control panel" into the search at the bottom of the screen, then go to "system" and look at "system type". Might as well tell us what the installed memory and usable memory is as well, you might be maxed, and 32 bit systems can only use 4GB no matter what the laptop can handle.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

laptops are dirt cheap at Costco, get the latest tech all around for not much more than adding ram and SSD to your older slower unit.

stevej37 · 11-25-2020, 07:59 AM

What about just getting a Chromebook? The prices on those are really low.
My laptop sounds very similar to yours...and lately it has slowed down greatly.

I'm tempted to get a Chromebook from Amazon.

sugarwood · sugarwood's Garage

Upgrade it if you're looking for a DIY project to feel good about.
How much RAM does it have?
It will cost you $100 for a copy of Win 10.

stevej37 · 11-25-2020, 08:03 AM

^^^ He says in the first post that he has W 10

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

He already has a thread on what new one to buy. He must be getting wishy washy on the new one.

stevej37 · 11-25-2020, 09:00 AM

For what I use my laptop for.....I'm sure I could get by very well with this one....
https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Chromebook-MediaTek-Processor-81JW0000US/dp/B07GLV1VC7/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=chromebook&qid=1606327083&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTFE0V0JMVzQ5SU4wJ mVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDIzOTQxM0FISDFGM0VBTUFWTSZlbmN yeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTUwOTc3MVpYWUlKM0k1NzU5UCZ3aWRnZ XROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05 vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

rfuerst911sc · 11-25-2020, 09:25 AM

Computer specs:

Toshiba Satellite L505
Pentium T4300 @ 2.10GHz
4 GB ram
64 Bit OS
295 GB hard drive- 69.3 used with 226 available

Yes I had previously posted about buying new . I see Best Buy has a Lenovo 15.6 " with 8GB memory and 256 GB SSD hard drive for $299.99 . That's a good price for decent quality entry level computer . Has the dreaded Windows 10S but apparently there is a work around for that .

But on the other hand I can probably upgrade ram memory to 8 - 12 and install a 500 GB SSD hard drive for about 100.00 - 125.00 and she would be quick . I guess I'm comfortable with the old gal

and that's why I'm asking about upgrades .

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

You can double your ram the way it looks. The L505 has 8gb capacity. Ram is cheap. I'd check your maintenance settings and make sure you don't have a bunch of junk stored on the system. Then I'd up the ram. The ssd will help with boot and load times as I understand it, but with the limited ram you have, I don't know that you'll see a big difference in speed.

KFC911 · 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

So I have an older Toshiba laptop computer , it originally came with Windows 7 but is now running 10 . This is still an old school design with built in DVR . Everything still works and generally I am happy with it .

It could use a new battery but I use it plugged in so not an issue . My only real complaint is it is slower than it once was . I guess I could have a " pro " give it a tune up and it would be quicker . The new SSD drives are so inexpensive I am wondering if installing one along with a tune up will get faster performance .

I use the computer for general web surfing , checking email , online research and purchases along with picture storage . ....

So.... what is "slower" now than before? Other than picture storage, nothing you are doing is a potential resource hog that would be significantly improved by more RAM, faster I/O (SSD), etc. ... unless I'm missing something... hey... it happens

Are you perhaps expriencing "slowdowns" due to some type of "network issue"?

Just my .02 .... worth much less

Edited: Is 4g enough RAM for Win10 ... it's probably bigly pigly just all by it's lonesome self

.

LakeCleElum · 11-25-2020, 10:40 AM

When my laptop slows, I run the free version of CCleaner and it's zippy as new......On my older Dell E6420.

Rarely slows down since I changed my browser from Firefox to Brave........Ditched Google for duckduckgo...........Both cut down on the malware issues.

rfuerst911sc · 11-25-2020, 11:10 AM

I am using Chrome as my browser/home page . The only slow performance I notice is boot up time from when the computer is shut down . Recently I have started putting the computer in sleep mode and it is much faster to come to life . For less than $40.00 I can upgrade to 8 GB of memory so I think I may do that first .

KFC911 · 11-25-2020, 11:16 AM

I would do the RAM for sure. What you have now is a pigly POS Op Sys (Windoze)...

Your hardware is just fine for what you want to do imo .... can you go back to Win7 or install a flavor of Unix instead?

rfuerst911sc · 11-25-2020, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

When my laptop slows, I run the free version of CCleaner and it's zippy as new......On my older Dell E6420.

Rarely slows down since I changed my browser from Firefox to Brave........Ditched Google for duckduckgo...........Both cut down on the malware issues.

I just downloaded the free version of CCleaner and ran it , found a LOT of junk files so thanks for the tip .

rfuerst911sc · 11-25-2020, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

I would do the RAM for sure. What you have now is a pigly POS Op Sys (Windoze)...

Your hardware is just fine for what you want to do imo .... can you go back to Win7 or install a flavor of Unix instead?

I have never used or seen Unix so no clue how it works . I am used to Windows and its flaws

. For now I will stick with it .