Okay, I know nothing about a computer, so I need some help. My husband found me Compaq Presario R3000, for a really good price. It's a really nice laptop, but the hard drive just isn't big enough. My question is, can I add memory to this laptop? Can this laptop be upgraded to better features. Please let me know if you have any advice. I won't be using this for anything major, but, I don't want a piece of junk either.
That model will take a maximum of 1GB of RAM. Also, you'll be able to upgrade the harddrive to a larger size - how big will depend on the BIOS. Looks like you can at least go with an 80GB. If it has the standard 30 or 40GB 4200 RPM drive that comes in that model, you would see a significant performance increase if you replace it with a 7200 RPM drive. You'll find a review with additional info here: http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review1769_intro8852.html
The 3000 is a very good unit. But it really has border line worth for upgrades like a drive. The RAM won't transfer to a newer unit. The hard drive will, but it's going to be smaller and slower than most new units come with standard. The max RAM on that unit is 2Gig not 1Gig. 1 Screw gets you to the RAM slots, so it's an easy install. In your speed, a 512 chip will run about $15, 1 gig around $30. The hard drive threshold for that model is only limited by budget. Luckily that drive has an external access, 6 screws and you have the old drive out. A 160Gig drive will run abot $90, a 120 is abot $70. Your EIDE, anything above 160 will hurt the wallet. Stick to the 5400 rpm models, the location of that drive in the 3000 does not need the additional heat. If you don't have the "original" CD's that came with the unit your going to have to copy that drive to keep the O/S and all the drivers. That means buying an external case for the new drive, or, you can try a d/l on the drivers but that doesn't include the O/S. Best bet, call HP and order the original CD. Around $35. This will not include any software that came from other vendors, like DVD players ...etc... Now add everything up. RAM, Hard Drive, CD, your time, ....... + ...... what you paid for the unit. Can you buy a new one for that? (To cost "your time" ask yourself, "Do I know what I'm doing?". If not, you may be spending a long time on that drive change)
Okay, that was all like a foreign language to me. I think you were trying to say, it's probably better to just buy a new one. But, I can probably get the laptop for $150, so, if I spend another $200 in upgrades, is it worth it? I am so not computer savvy. I do know how to power them on.
Whoops! Sorry about the 1GB...I was going on the specs qutoed here: http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review1769_specs8854.html They list a 1GB combination with (2x512MB). Down at the bottom I now see they have the 2GB maximum. ddrdan gave you great specific advice saramama. The thing that would clinch it for me is the drive speed. I won't use a laptop that I can't run a 7200RPM drive in due the very noticeable performance increase. I have people ask me all the time why the Dell Inspirion 8100 that I bought in 2000 runs so fast - it's a 1Ghz Pentium III with 512MB of RAM. I was going to trade up to a new laptop 4 years ago but swapped out the original drive for a 7200RPM instead and still using it today.
Sorry for the tekky terms. Yep, that's what I was saying. $150 is a good deal. I'd do the RAM (memory) upgrade and buy an external drive to increase storage space. That way you can use the new drive anywhere. And, as APP said, you get the great performance of the 7200 speed drive. There's free software on the web to copy the Operating system over to it. External 2.5" drives (nice and small for travel) are around $100 so with the ram and the laptop you'll have about $280 in it. You won't need the CD unless you have a problem later. If you can wait, WalMart has their Acers on sale ocasionally for around $350 to $400.
