Hardware upgrades in notebooks?

[Klytus]

I'm looking into getting my first laptop and just wondered which hardware components can be upgraded by the end-user. I know the RAM can be but what about HDD and GFX etc.? Just wondered if I need to splash out all in one go or could look at upgrading gradually.
Cheers.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

HDD - Yes
RAM - Yes
CPU - Yes
Everything Else - No

There are some rare exceptions, but that's the answer for the most part.

 

[K.C. Leblanc]

Graphics usually can't be upgraded on a laptop. Hard drives are very easy but most laptops only have space for one drive. Also laptop hard drives are different from desktop drives (smaller and more power efficient) and cost more.

 

[Amonlym]

also note- cpu's can come in funny form factors that are hard to get hold of in retail. (eg the dual core turions), ram will be so-dimms (either ddr or ddr2, check carefully), hdd's are 2.5" form factor, and not all laptops can accept all the drives - some are to thick due to their design to fit in some laptops, and some hdd's have extra functionality bespoke to the machine - eg i believe some older ibm laptops got their falling/system angle/vibration data from the hdd.

 

[Klytus]

Ah ok. Thanks for all your help.

 

[dieschwalbe]

I didn't know you could upgrade the CPU in laptops. I have a Toshiba Equium M50-216. Can the CPU in this be upgraded for something better (dual core etc)?

 

[Indy500]

Wireless cards are either mini-pci or mini-pci express, so can be upgraded. If the laptop uses MXM, graphics can be upgraded. Depending on the model, LCDs can be changed for larger ones if a single casing is used by the manufacturer for both size LCDs.