Upgrade options for Laptops

Unlike desktops, laptops offer limited upgradeability, and that again is usually an expensive proposition. So, choose your notebook's specs carefully to avoid upgrading later. But when you must upgrade, then the options are processor, RAM, hard drive, optical drive and battery pack. Each option has its limitation, that a laptop may or may not support its upgrade. Let's look at each option. 

RAM

When you're buying a laptop, check for the number of RAM slots it has. If there's only one, then make sure you get sufficient RAM to last long. For instance, WinXP requires at least 256 MB RAM to work properly, so that's the minimum you should go for. Or else you will have to replace it with a higher capacity RAM module later. There are some laptops that come with onboard RAM, plus an extra slot to add more.

Hard Disk

Unlike RAM where some laptops come with two slots, there are no extra bays for more hard drives in a laptop. So when you run out of hard drive space, you have two options. Either you replace it with a high capacity one, or buy an external one. There are a number of attractive options available in external hard drives, right from those that connect to a USB or FireWire interface to those that go inside a PCMCIA slot.

Optical Drive

If you need a CD/DVD writer, then either you go for an external USB/FireWire based drive, or replace the internal one. In case of latter, usually the part would only be available with the vendor, so you end up paying out of your nose for it.

Other Components

Believe it or not, but you can also upgrade the processor in some notebooks, such as the Intel BTO (Built to Order). Some companies are even preparing to launch display card upgrades for laptops, such as Alienware. Alien ware is planning to bring out Nvidia GeforceFX5600
and ATI mobility Radeon9600 based cards. 

CyberMedia Labs