Is this laptop worth upgrading? [update post 31 page 2]

[dave_the_nerd]

Thanks everyone! So the amount of memory in the pic showed everything was fine? The HDD has been thrashing a lot. I'm defragging as we speak to see if it helps. It was 21% fragmented but she has a bunch of pics and videos. I also vacuumed a bit and blew out a little dust.

What is a the cheapest reliable SSD? The Kingston SSDNow V300 looks popular and runs $50. It uses the SandForce controller which I think I remember hearing it is or was bad.

I would want one a little newer - there's not a big difference in cost between something old like the V300 (which is fairly slow for an SSD anyway) and something newer. I'd go with a Crucial BX100, myself.

 

[balloonshark]

I would want one a little newer - there's not a big difference in cost between something old like the V300 (which is fairly slow for an SSD anyway) and something newer. I'd go with a Crucial BX100, myself.

When my Samsung 840 up and died I replaced it with a 240GB BX100. I have never checked the speeds but it does feel quicker than the 840 IMHO. Now I regret not grabbing one from the refurb deal a little while back.

 

[sm625]

Do not put any money into that. You can buy all sorts of off lease notebooks that contain ivy bridge processors for a good price. Those will fly. Hell, even sandy will fly.

Check this out:

http://www.staples.com/product_1147623

A 2nd gen i5 with SSD. That machine will absolutely fly. I would not actually buy that at that price, its just a rough idea of what you can easily get for $300, without even looking for deals. I can usually find this calibur machine on sale for $200.

 

[balloonshark]

Do not put any money into that. You can buy all sorts of off lease notebooks that contain ivy bridge processors for a good price. Those will fly. Hell, even sandy will fly.

Check this out:

http://www.staples.com/product_1147623

A 2nd gen i5 with SSD. That machine will absolutely fly. I would not actually buy that at that price, its just a rough idea of what you can easily get for $300, without even looking for deals. I can usually find this calibur machine on sale for $200.

My relative just started college and doesn't have any money. I "loaned" her money so she could even go to college so now I don't have any money lol. I'm only doing this so she can have a computer in her room. Unless we can find a laptop for the price of upgrades ($62 and let's say $50 for 8GB RAM or I could stretch to $125) I just can't justify spending the extra money. I get what you're saying though and it makes sense but it looks like I have to spring for her rent again soon :\.

 

[johny12]

Thanks everyone! So the amount of memory in the pic showed everything was fine? The HDD has been thrashing a lot. I'm defragging as we speak to see if it helps. It was 21% fragmented but she has a bunch of pics and videos. I also vacuumed a bit and blew out a little dust.

What is a the cheapest reliable SSD? The Kingston SSDNow V300 120GB looks popular and runs $50. It uses the SandForce controller which I think I remember hearing it is or was bad.

Nothing wrong with that SSD, but it is older than some others

 

[balloonshark]

I finally received a refurb Samsung 840 evo 120gb that I returned under warranty. I have never shrunk or cloned a drive so I'm not entirely sure what to do. Here is what I'm working with.





Do you have any idea what that 10GB partition is used for? I can't select properties in disk management. In computer Q: when I select properties it shows 0 bytes. I have no idea if they are the same drive.

I do have a Macrium Reflect free rescue disk and a usb external drive enclosure which may work.