on most laptops you can install the ram from underneath = pop out a screw or 2, remove a small plastic cover and your in. some others require you to become a surgeon. you definately have to operate for installing a harddrive. It also takes a little patience on cracking the case (depending on the laptop). if you hit ebay and search through the laptop parts, you'll see a lot of pics of what the inside of a laptop looks like (if you've never seen it before).