There comes a time when you will have to modify your laptop because your computing needs have increased. You may need more space to store files, or you may need to expand the memory to be able to run some new applications.
In this article, I will give you a list of the best five upgradeable laptops that you can find right now.
Best Upgradeable Laptops
1. ALIENWARE AREA 51M
The first on the list is the Alienware Area 51m, which is one of the few laptops that give you enough room to modify as you want. More people are moving from desktop to laptop, and this has increased the production of laptops. The Alienware Area 51m gives you the needed access to modify its components to match your needs.
Once in a while, the company releases new Alienware Area 51m components that you can use to replace the existing ones. Just like I mentioned earlier, this is one of the reasons why getting a laptop with a decent level of features is important. Also, you are allowed to expand the laptop’s memory, which is rare and might not be necessary if you go for the Core i9 laptops.
Also, you will be able to upgrade your NVIDIA RTX graphics if you will like to run new apps. However, it is crucial to mention that the Alienware Area 51m is quite expensive, although it represents value for money. You will definitely not regret paying for it because it will serve you for years.
Pros
Both the CPU and GPU are upgradeable
The SSD and the Memory can be expanded.
Presence of NVIDIA RTX GPUs
An Intel Core i9 processor powers it.
Cons
Quite bulky
Expensive
2. DELL XPS 15
The Dell XPS 15 is another amazing laptop that gives you enough space to save your important files without any issue. Also, it’s one of the few laptops that give you access to upgrade its components occasionally.
The Dell XPS 15 is not a high-end laptop, but it comes with impressive hardware features, including one of the newest processors, an NVIDIA graphics, 4K UHD OLED display, and some other ones. And to make the laptop more appealing, it allows you to expand the RAM and the SSD.
Dell has been known for years to produce quality laptops that you can trust, and the Dell XPS 15 is another excellent example. You will probably need to add to the storage space if you have large files that you will like to save.
Pros
Elegantly built
Fantastic display that delivers an amazing viewing experience
The RAM and SSD are easily replaceable
Cons
Quite expensive
Comes with only one SSD slot
3. ACER NITRO 5
Acer’s Nitro 5 is another modular laptop that allows you to modify its components. The Acer Nitro 5 represents value for money, especially if you choose the one with the average level of components. It will ensure that you have a laptop that you can easily upgrade.
Another significant advantage that Acer Nitro 5 has over others is that it is easy to assemble and disassemble. You do not need to be a professional technician to take it apart, because the laptop comes with just a single screw that allows easy access to its vital components.
If you are a professional gamer or a video producer, this is one of few decent laptops that will be able to handle your programs. This is because it comes with a robust graphics card that can enhance your programs’ performance for years with minimum upgrades.
Most people find the laptop to be appealing because of the price and the GPU, but the design is quite unpleasant. The keyboard and the touchpad are also challenging to use. However, if you do not care about the design, the laptop is definitely a good upgradeable one.
Pros
Easy to upgrade
Comes with an impressive graphics card
Cons
No optical drive
The keyboard is difficult to use
4. LENOVO LEGION Y740
Upgrading the hardware components of a gaming laptop is quite easier than any other type of laptop. This is because gaming laptops offer more flexibility. If you are looking for a fully upgradeable laptop, you should seriously consider the Legion Y740.
The first thing you need to know is that the Legion Y740 is equipped with an 8th Generation processor. An 8th generation processor is one of the latest and most powerful processors right now. Also, the laptop sports an NVIDIA RTX 20270 graphics card, and it is designed with aluminum casing.
In addition, the laptop comes with a comfortable ergonomic keyboard. And to make it more appealing, it comes in two sizes, and you can either go for the 15-inch or the 17-inch size. It comes with an m.2 SSD slot that you can use to add an SSD to meet your computing needs.
In addition, you are allowed to upgrade the RAM of the laptop because it comes with SODIMM DDR4 memory sticks. Considering all these impressive features that I’ve mentioned, I am sure that you will agree with me that this laptop is one of the top upgradeable ones.
Pros
The laptop sports a 144Hz display
You are allowed to upgrade both the SSD and the RAM
The laptop comes in two sizes, 15 inches, and 17 inches.
RTX 2070 graphics card
Great design
Cons
Webcam quality is low
The battery backup is not impressive
5. LENOVO THINKPAD L390
Lenovo ThinkPad L390 is the last on the list and the best of the lot. It comes with an excellent battery backup, and it is elegant and durable. It comes with a comfortable keyboard and has a lot of extra features that you can easily use.
ThinkPads have been known to be quite expensive, but L390 is relatively cheap, considering the list of amazing features that come with it. Although not high-end, the display is quite decent and will still be perfect for day-to-day computing tasks.
It is equipped with an 8th Generation Intel processor that enhances the overall performance level of the laptop. Also, it gives you a lot of room to upgrade its components. In terms of storage, it comes with 256GB of SSD, which is okay, but you are allowed to install an NVMe drive to enhance the storage capacity.
The L390 comes with a standard SODIMM DDR4 memory, which you can upgrade if you want.
Pros
Fantastic keyboard.
You can upgrade the RAM and SSD.
Decent battery life.
Latest Intel processor
Relatively cheap
Cons
The display is average
Comes with chunky bezels
FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE UPGRADING YOUR LAPTOP
Deciding to upgrade or replace your laptop can be quite difficult at times. The first thing is to be sure that you are choosing the right option. You will need to determine if it will be cheaper to replace or upgrade and whether it’s necessary.
Replacing the different components of a laptop is not quite easy as compared to a desktop, but it is possible if you have the right tools. That said; let’s discuss some reasons why you should consider upgrading or replacing your laptop.
MY LAPTOP IS SUPER SLOW
Basically, the hardware components that dictate your laptop’s speed are the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and the Random Access Memory (RAM). These components are definitely upgradeable, but they can be quite difficult.
Sure, you can always upgrade these components on a desktop, but I can assure you that it’s quite a hassle to do on a laptop. In some cases, if you realize that either of them is faulty or not just what you want, you may better consider replacing the computer than upgrading the parts.
However, it is quite easier to replace the RAM than the CPU. Assuming, you need more RAM, all you need to do is remove the bottom of your laptop, top it up and close it again. However, be very sure that you are choosing the right option before you tear your laptop down.
NEED MORE LAPTOP STORAGE
Maybe you have large files like videos that you need more storage space to save. In this case, what you need is to go for an external drive to store more files. The advantage of getting an external hard drive is that you won’t need to tear down your laptop to use it.
You just need to connect the external drive to your laptop through a USB port, and you are good to go. And these external drives work the same way as your internal drive, and you will be able to save more files.
HARD DRIVE IS FAULTY
Basically, it’s more financially reasonable to replace a faulty hard drive than to buy a new laptop. However, you need to be sure that the hard drive is genuinely faulty; you can easily confirm this by running a hard drive test.
There are times when your hard drive will shut down because of an error in the booting process. This can easily be fixed and does not mean that you will need a new hard drive. However, if you are sure that your hard drive is faulty, then you should go ahead and replace it.
MY LAPTOP SCREEN IS BAD
It’s basically impossible to do anything productive with a faulty laptop screen. And it will definitely make more financial sense to replace the screen of your laptop than to buy a brand new laptop.
MY LAPTOP DOES NOT CHARGE
You really do not need to buy a new laptop if your laptop is not charging. It could be that the power cable is faulty or the charging system. Also, it can be a defective battery backup or even a power source. So you need to check and identify the faulty part thoroughly.
If the issue is from the battery or the power cable, then there is no need to worry because you can easily replace them. What you need to do is plug in the laptop; if the laptop comes on, it means that your battery is faulty.
Once you have confirmed that the issue is from the battery, remove it from your laptop and look for the cell information, this will help you look for a perfect replacement. In addition, you can plug in different cables to be sure that there is nothing wrong with your power cable. Just to ensure that you are making the right decision.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is It Possible to Upgrade The GPU Or Change The Processor?
The simple answer is NO. It’s quite difficult to get a laptop that comes with an upgradeable GPU or Processor. If you are looking for more power, you might need to reconsider going for a notebook. This is because most notebooks are not designed with enough space to replace components.
If you notice that any of these two components is faulty or not just what you want, sometimes it’s more reasonable to replace the laptop.
In addition, the graphic cards and the processors that come with laptop motherboards are always soldered; this makes it quite difficult to remove them.
How do I choose an upgradeable laptop?
Knowing whether your laptop is upgradeable can be quite difficult. The easiest way is to contact your software developer, certified technician, or read the user manual. The user manual can be quite handy if you want to disassemble the parts to see if the laptop is upgradeable.
If you do not have the user manual, ensure that you do a thorough internet research about your laptop upgradeability. This will ensure that you do not incur extra costs by tampering with the parts of your laptop.
What is the life-span of my laptop?
Basically, a laptop equipped with high-quality hardware components and fantastic features should be able to serve you for ten years or more if you use the laptop for general day-to-day computing tasks.
However, if you are into major computing tasks, maybe you will be working on power demanding projects; you will need a laptop that can handle hefty tasks. This means that you will need to go for a computer with top-level hardware components if you really want your laptop to serve you for long.
Is a modular laptop worth the price?
Although the price of a laptop is one of the major factors when buying a laptop, you should also consider purchasing one that comes with hardware that can be replaced. Depending on what you want, the prices of these laptops differ. So you need to ensure that you get your facts right.
Choose the one that is perfect for your needs, whether you are a music producer, a businessman, a designer, or a professional gamer. All the laptops that I’ve mentioned in this article are upgradeable, so why not choose one for you?
Summary
Buying a laptop basically means that you are investing. There must be a specific reason, whether to learn a new skill, to help your business to grow; it’s always to achieve a purpose. This is the reason why you need to consider having a laptop that you can upgrade at any time.
In addition, everyone wants a laptop that can serve them for years without any issue and one that allows upgrades. There are several laptops that will allow you to upgrade their parts with newer and better features.
However, it’s also important to point out that disassembling your laptop makes it vulnerable to damages, so it’s always safer to consult a certified technician or pick up the user manual.
