how much can I upgrade this?

[flashbang]

I have a friend that has an old Presario 1830 laptop for $150 and I am wondering what (if anything) I can do to it to get it a bit more up to date. Here are the specs:

Pentium III 448MHZ
192MB RAM
4.6gig hard drive
6x DVD ROM


I think I could upgrade the CPU to a faster PIII
As far as I can tell the RAM is maxed out
I've found a 20gig hd on pricewatch.com

These three things are the most important to me so any help would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, I've built a Shuttle SFF, and I thought this might be a good first laptop project.

Thanks,
Flashbang

 

[flashbang]

After further thought I would like input as to whether I could put in a faster CPU, such as a PIII 1.0 Ghz that I found on pricewatch, and I wanted to check if the CPU is the same as desktops use? If this all works out, will there be a noticeable difference in the computer's performance, or is it all pointless?

I would be using this computer for email and web browsing, as well as listening to music. Will this be sufficient?

Thanks,
-Flashbang

 

[fbrdphreak]

Here is what I found with PNY's memory confiurator:
Machine Type: Laptops
Manufacturer: Compaq
Model: Presario 1830
Standard Memory: 64 MB (non-removable)
Number of sockets for upgrade: 1
Maximum amount of memory: 192 MB
Memory must be installed in set(s) of: 1
Bus Type: PC Card (PCMCIA)
HardDisk Bustype: UDMA
CPU: 450MHz Intel Pentium III
Standard Videos: 8 MB
Max Video:
Video Slots:
Video Comments: ATI RAGE 3D LT PRO with 2X AGP, 15.0 TFT Active Matrix XGA display
HardDisk Comments: 6.4 GB
Model Comments:
CPU Comments:
Native OS: Windows 98

So it looks like your memory is maxed out. You could probably replace the HDD if it is a 2.5", see if you can find like a 5400RPM drive. I'd say the 60GB 7200RPMs might not be properly recognized by the BIOS. But you can try it and return otherwise.
The CPU is a whole other matter. You need to find out what socket type your P3 is and what core also. From there you will know which ones SHOULD work. One thing I remember hearing is that old laptops had the CPU soldered into the mobo. Google the hell out of it and see
GL