The Best New Computer Features You Absolutely Need

 

Is there anything more frustrating than being done with an assignment or work project but your computer has decided it’s a great time to crash? Now you have to hope your computer restarts and pray that the Auto-Save gods were merciful. Even if your laptop isn’t crashing but it’s lagging and you’ve been noticing performance issues – that’s no fun.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help your portable computer perform better. Below, we’ve outlined some of the best ways to get your laptop from zero to hero with amazing features you can add to an existing device.

Can you upgrade a laptop?

The short answer: yes. But there are some caveats that we’ll get into below.

Ready to figure out how to upgrade a laptop? Let’s go! First, you’ll need to figure out what parts you can actually upgrade. Unlike a desktop which is fairly easy to update, laptops can be a bit harder to get into internally and change. Sometimes, you’re just left with one choice: to get a completely new laptop.

However, there are also laptops that you can upgrade so you can replace components such as your RAM and storage drive.

Examples of laptop upgrades:

For example, upgrading from a mechanical hard drive to a solid state drive (SSD) can have a huge impact on how your computer handles daily computing tasks. In fact, it can carry out functions three to four times faster in some cases.

You can also add more memory. If you’re at 2GB of memory, go up to 4GB. If you’re at 4GB, upgrade to 8GB. These memory upgrades can help your computer handle bigger files more efficiently and allow you to open up multiple tabs without the entire system going down.

Components you can’t probably upgrade, however, include the following: your CPU, the graphics card, or the display.

How do I know what I can upgrade on my computer?

You can look up your laptop’s manufacturer information online to determine whether or not you can upgrade your laptop and what parts you can upgrade to using Crucial Memory’s Advisor Tool. Simply type in your laptop information and click “find upgrade”. The Advisor will tell you what kind of RAM your system takes and what type of SSDs it’s compatible with. If your laptop can’t have its memory or storage upgraded, the advisor will tell you.

What are other ways I can improve my laptop?

If you’re happy with the performance of your laptop but your device is looking a little worse for wear, there are plenty of ways to spruce it up and get creative. For example, are you a fan of Michelangelo’s Renaissance paintings? Show off your passion for art with a laptop skin of “The Creation of Adam”. Or, simply invest in a colorful silicon keyboard cover protector you can easily take off or switch out when you grow bored of the color scheme.

If you’re looking for something a little sturdier to protect your laptop, we recommend going with a hard case.

Accessory upgrades

Do you currently use a wired mouse that gets tangled in the power cord? Avoid that unsightly and frustrating knot of wires by investing in a wireless mouse. Both Bluetooth mice and wireless receiver mice are available on the market today.

And don’t forget about quality mouse pads, you can get one that reflects your favorite musical artist or painter. Or, if you’re into minimalism, just go for a classic neutral like black or grey. Don’t forget to think about the ergonomics of your accessories as well, if you’re worried about hand and wrist strain over time.

Conclusion

There are plenty of different ways to upgrade your laptop, whether you just want to change its outside appearance with a laptop skin or if you want to get into the deep underbelly of your laptop and upgrade the RAM. With a little know-how and money, your device can go from old and tired to zippy and performing like new! If it turns out that your computer is too old that an upgrade won’t make a difference, or you simply can’t change anything in your laptop, you should bite the bullet and invest in a new device.