Help The Hardware Illiterate solve a processor problem!

Hey Fakku friends! I have this HP-2000-2b09WM Notebook PC I got as a present awhile ago. The only thing is that It's dreadfully slow. Here are the specs for the HP

Processor: AMD E-300 APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics 1.30 Gz

Installed Memomry (Ram): 2.00 (1.60) Usable

64-bit operating system

But I also have a ThinkPad laptop that is very fast, but I hate it's outdated look, small screen and keyboard and temperamental keyboard. Here are the Specs for the ThinkPad

Processor: Intel(R)Core(TM)i5 CPU M 540 @2.53GHz

Installed Ram: 4.00 (3.80 usable)

64 bit operating system.

SOOOOOOO, My question is can I improve my shiny HP laptops speed by taking the processor and RAM from the Thinkpad?

If so, Is this something I can do myself? IF SO how would I go about doing that?

It would be possible if the processor and ram are compatible with the other computer, and if so, you should be able to do it at home. However, I would suggest looking it up on google first, there are probably guides on how to switch out ram, compatibility lists, etc.

The socket type between the two motherboards is different, one supports AMD processors and the other supports Intel processors. Granted you could take all of the parts out of ThinkPad and put it into your notebook, but you'd be hard pressed to find out if anything actually fits or if the right ports/cables are available. The chances of success are nil or close to. Stick with the ThinkPad.

While what Bill suggests might be theoretically possible (yet highly unlikely, esp. with 2 random laptops), anyone capable of doing so would simply not be asking this question, so that's pretty much ruled out. Tech expertise aside, I'd give it less than 1% chance of actually being possible.

As mentioned, CPU sockets are incompatible, no switching those.

Capacity aside, if the HP had faster RAM (unlikely) and the Thinkpad could run it at higher speeds, it would only marginally increase performance, if at all. Of course, having 4 vs 2GB wouldn't hurt, but the CPU is a much greater bottleneck and it makes no sense to cripple the HP.

So, yes. Stick with the ThinkPad. Quietly weep.

If you want to play games on the latop, you'll have to check out what graphic card it has. Discrete graphic cards are the best, since they're the same like what you have in a desktop. Integrated, but "brand" names like NVidia & ATI will only let you play older games, but at least they're "real" videocards. Chipset only affair like Intel GMA, etc. are not and will give you plenty of grief.

If you only use the laptop for work then it's a non-issue. (Unless you're doing CAD design or smg).

I can't tell you anything concrete about the two laptops above... likely the Intel one has either a discreet or integrated card. The AMD one has an APU, which is a combination of a CPU and a mid/low-range GPU integrated into the same chip. AMD APUs are doing OK, for gaming about the same as what you'd get from a cheap integrated videocard. All of these options, except the discrete card will use system memory. This isn't as great an issue as it used to be ten years ago, however if you're running memory hungry applications you should keep it in mind.

More on this:
http://computers.toptenreviews.com/gaming-laptops/graphics-cards-integrated-vs.-dedicated.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-of-Laptop-Graphics-Cards.130.0.html

Can you upgrade a laptop?

To a large degree the answer is *NO*.

You often can't swap out the CPU as unlike desktops it's often soldered in place instead using a socket. The graphic card is often integrated into the motherboard, meaning you can't change it. (Having a discreet card allows one to upgrade... it won't be cheap though as laptop discreet cards have a different form factor.

What *can* you upgrade?
RAM and storage.

RAM: Almost all laptops allow the user to pop a small hatch to replace/add more sticks of RAM. If there's on upgrade I strongly recommend for users it's to install more RAM - at least 8 GB, given how cheap RAM is nowadays - as modern operating systems were made with the assumption of having plenty of RAM on hand and having more *does* give a boost in daily operations.

(How much is *enough* is a hard question... however since RAM is cheap you can just buy plenty instead)

Storage: Installing a new HDD can be a real pain, as a lot of cheap laptops nowadays have to be almost fully disassembled before you can access the HDD. Older and more expensive models often had a bay you could release by flipping some latches or removing a couple of screws. Depending on the setup of the laptop this might be an operation you might wanna let the service/shop do for you. Make sure you backup your data first, including creating a recovery DVD for your OS.

...or better yet, getting an official MS install disc:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/248995/how_to_install_windows_7_without_the_disc.html
http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/lost-windows-7-install-disc-create-a-new-one-from-scratch/
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only
http://techingiteasy.wordpress.com/2012/11/07/part-2-how-to-upgrade-using-the-windows-8-upgrade-assistant/

Just in case the monkeys in the shop screw things up.

unfortunately, the answer is you can't.

i suggested that you should use 4 GB of RAM if you using a 64bit OS. and you can increase the access time to your system by upgrading your storage from a conventional 2.5" HDD to a SSD. but, it's come with a little damn cost.

have a nice day.