I’m working a laptop for a co-worker who was in the market for a new laptop. He is an older gentleman with basic computer needs. He showed me a 13.3" laptop and asked me what I thought. I pulled out my my 13" gaming laptop for size comparison, and he said it was way too small. He explained how he liked the size of his current computer and basically he wants to know if I can breathe new life into his system. He has an older Sony Vaio notebook (VGN-N320E/B) which is equipped with the following specs:
- CPU: Intel Pentium T2060 - Dual Core Yonah @ 1.6GHz
- RAM: 1GB (2x 512MB) DDR2 PC2-5300 @ 533MHz (Chipset limited to 2GB 533MHz Max total)
- GPU: Integrated (GMA 950/ 943GML Chipset)
- HDD: 120GB SATA 5400RPM
- Disp: 15.4" 1280x800 LCD.
- OS: Win7 32bit Enterprise.
About the most intensive thing he does is Skype to his children and basic web-browsing. I’m unfamiliar with the P6/Yonah Architecture in regards to modern performance. Before doing some research, my first instinct was that it was doable, but the more I look into it, the more skeptical I am, especially after discovering the RAM and 32bit limitations.
Here were the upgrades I proposed:
- RAM: 2GB (2x1GB PC2-4200) - $12
- SSD: 120GB OCz Arc 100 SSD - $54
- Batt: $22
Estimated costs of upgrades would be $88.
So, the question is: Is the laptop worth upgrading for just shy of $100, or should he invest in a new laptop. Would the older CPU be able to handle basic web-browsing adequately?
There's a fair number of cheap older laptops on newegg that are refurbished. Should look into that. Most aren't going to have that decent a screen though.
Best thing would probably be a windows 8 tablet, but if you want bigger then not too much could be done aside from what you're already doing. The tablet would at least have battery life though
Does he actually take it places?
Judging by the fact he doesn't have a bettery at all, not really. I don't think he is that concerned about portability at all. He uses it to Skype with his children and that's about it. I can't even find bloat ware outside of iTunes bundle and Safari.
So ya, aside from what you'd already be doing, you could give craigslist a quick look over for a decent thinkpad. then it'll have a nice keyboard, but otherwise I don't see much that could be done
Just to reiterate the question: should we spend the $88 + tax to upgrade his current laptop? Or just buy a new one that will last a while?
I believe he had a budget of about $700
If you got like 700 dollars man that'll blow any upgrade you do on that machine away.
Aside from just getting whatever laptop is decent and on sale you could just suggest something like a surface 3+case.
I ended up just upgrading the machine. It now has 2GB DDR2, 120GB SSD, and Windows 8.1. While the CPU is bottlenecking, it isn't as bad as I feared. It is a little slow when browsing sites with heavy advertising, or heavy media consumption (HFR 1080p video), it's surprisingly nimble with Win8 booting nearly instantly, and the speed is quite adequate (plays 1080p30FPS fine, and streams 720p over the internet fine). I haven't tried Skype yet, but I'm sure this thing will be perfect for him, and easily extended the life of this machine by at least year, possibly more, which is well worth the $92 I sunk into it.
i suppose, but overall a new machine would have lasted much longer than that, theoretically naturally, and been a lot faster, but I guess that doesn't matter all that much.