笔记本电脑(Laptops)是最受欢迎的个人电脑类型，不难看出原因。它是一个简单、便携的软件包，可以为大多数人完成这项工作。但是，与台式机相比，您必须做出的一项重大牺牲是可升级性。
这是否意味着您根本无法升级笔记本电脑？不！但是，升级旧笔记本电脑可能不值得花费成本和精力，这取决于您需要它做什么。
您通常可以在笔记本电脑中升级什么(Laptop)
一般来说，典型的笔记本电脑中有两个组件可以升级或更换。第一个是RAM或随机存取存储器(Random Access Memory)。这是计算机用来存储来自当前运行软件的信息的快速内存。您拥有的RAM(RAM)越多，您可以运行的应用程序（或您可以打开的浏览器选项卡）就越多，而无需诉诸于缓慢的硬盘访问。
说到这，通常可以在典型笔记本电脑中升级的另一个组件是硬盘驱动器。大多数笔记本电脑都有一个 2.5 英寸的驱动器托架，但最近的型号现在配备了一个用于NVME格式固态驱动器的NVME插槽。将现有驱动器换成更大的驱动器可为您带来更多存储空间的明显好处。
但是，为旧笔记本电脑注入新活力的最佳方法之一是将其机械硬盘驱动器更换为固态(solid state )硬盘。这将立即使使用计算机的一般体验更加快速和愉快。
在某些情况下，硬盘驱动器、RAM或两者都无法升级或移除。对于M1 MacBook Pro 13(M1 MacBook Pro 13)等超极本级笔记本电脑来说，这主要是正确的。RAM和SSD已集成到主板中，因此您一开始就坚持使用您购买的任何型号。
您通常无法在笔记本电脑中(Laptop)升级的功能(Usually Upgrade)
简单地说任何不是 RAM 或硬盘驱动器的东西都不能升级是很诱人的，但我们会将其分解为特定组件以明确其含义。
笔记本电脑中最重要的通用性能组件是CPU或中央处理器(Central Processing Unit)。这是计算机的大脑，执行通用数字运算。在台式机系统上，CPU使用插座系统连接到主板。使其易于更换为更好的模型。通常笔记本电脑不使用这种方法。相反，CPU被永久焊接到主板上。
可悲的是， GPU(GPU)或图形处理单元(Graphical Processing Unit)通常也是如此。它要么集成到CPU中，要么直接焊接到主板上。这是决定您在 3D 应用程序中的大部分性能的组件，也可以在某些应用程序中提供帮助。例如视频编辑器，它们经常使用GPU来加速视频编码。
有些笔记本电脑比(Than)其他笔记本电脑更容易升级
虽然典型的笔记本电脑确实不允许您升级CPU或GPU，但也有例外。一些工作站级笔记本电脑使用带插座的台式机CPU。这(Which)意味着可以升级它附带的芯片型号。这是非常罕见的，但并非闻所未闻。
在升级笔记本电脑的内部GPU时，某些型号有解决方案。它被称为移动 PCI Express 模块(Mobile PCI Express Module)( MXM )，一些高端笔记本电脑确实使用它。它本质上是一个迷你的、可移动的PCIe显卡，可以换成更好的型号。
虽然不常见，但值得检查您的笔记本电脑是否将MXM标准用于其独立GPU。尽管准备好付出高昂的代价，因为MXM版本的GPU(GPUs)可以带来高昂的价格溢价。
不要忘记外部 GPU
如果您有幸拥有一台带有Thunderbolt 3 USB-C 连接的笔记本电脑，您实际上可以将外部GPU连接到该设备并利用桌面级图形。虽然您仍然需要确认您的特定笔记本电脑型号是否支持外部GPU(GPUs) ，但这是无需购买全新计算机即可获得更好GPU的绝佳方式。(GPU)
这些外壳的主要缺点是它们需要连接到主电源并且是便携式的而不是移动的。但是，如果您只需要在旅途中完成基本任务，并且想在回到办公桌前处理繁重的 3D 图形（例如游戏），那么这是一个不错的选择。如果您想了解更多信息，请前往您需要了解的关于外部 GPU 机箱的所有(Everything You Need to Know About External GPU Enclosures)信息。
这些笔记本电脑升级值得吗？
既然您知道您的笔记本电脑可以进行哪些类型的升级，那么下一个问题是这些升级是否值得。
如果您处于可以实际升级笔记本电脑中的CPU或GPU的位置，那么从性能的角度来看，这当然是值得的。升级这些组件可以延长笔记本电脑的使用寿命。但是，它们也可能对热量和电池寿命产生影响。更不用说实际安装这些升级可能涉及大量拆卸。您还应该权衡这些组件的成本，因为它们可能非常昂贵，以至于一个全新的系统可能是更好的选择。
当涉及到RAM或硬盘升级时，这很复杂。如果您的性能不足专门与CPU或GPU相关，那么升级您的RAM将无济于事。如果您在执行CPU和GPU可以处理的任务（例如在 4-8GB RAM上进行视频编辑）时内存不足，那么RAM升级将产生很大的不同。如果您的笔记本电脑的RAM(RAM)很少（4GB 或更少），那么升级将使Windows 10等现代操作系统正常运行。
在硬盘升级方面，我们始终建议将机械硬盘更换为固态型号。至少在涉及操作系统的系统驱动器时。SSD(SSDs)让老式笔记本电脑在浏览网页等日常任务时感觉现代而活泼。结合RAM升级，SSD可以缓解CPU的瓶颈，让它以最高水平运行。
旧笔记本电脑的好用途
如果您确实需要更换整个笔记本电脑，请不要将旧机器扔掉。如果你不能卖个好价钱，你可以把旧机器用于其他用途：
- 将其用作媒体服务器（例如使用Plex）。
- 把它变成一个网络连接的存储设备。
- 在上面安装Linux，学习永远都不晚！
- 为敏感浏览创建注重隐私的 PC。
- 把它变成一个复古游戏仿真机(retro-gaming emulation machine)。
- 将其捐赠给只有基本计算需求的年轻或年长家庭成员。
这些只是一些想法，但是如果您认真考虑一下，您会发现即使是在正确的环境中运行正确软件的旧计算机也会非常有用。电子垃圾是一个大问题，因此从计算机中获得整个使用寿命不仅会让您的生活更美好。对环境也有帮助！
Can You Upgrade an Old Laptop and Is It Worth It?
Laptops are the most popular type of personal computer and it’s not hard to see why. It’s one simple, portable package that does the job for most people. However, one major sacrifice you have to make compared to a desktop is upgradability.
Does that mean you can’t upgrade a laptop at all? No! However, upgrading an old laptop may not be worth the cost and effort, depending on what you need it to do.
What You Can Usually Upgrade in a Laptop
In general there are two components that can be upgraded or replaced in the typical laptop. The first is RAM or Random Access Memory. This is the fast memory that the computer uses to store information from currently running software. The more RAM you have, the more applications you can run (or browser tabs you can open) without needing to resort to slow hard drive access.
Speaking of which, the other component that can usually be upgraded in the typical laptop is the hard drive. Most laptops have a 2.5” drive bay, but more recent models now come with an NVME slot for NVME format solid-state drives. Swapping out the existing drives for a larger one grants you the obvious benefit of more storage.
However, one of the best ways to breathe new life into an old laptop is by exchanging its mechanical hard drive for a solid state model. This will immediately make the general experience of using the computer much more snappy and pleasant.
There are cases where the hard drive, RAM or both cannot be upgraded or removed at all. This is mostly true for ultrabook-class laptops such as the M1 MacBook Pro 13. The RAM and SSD are integrated into the mainboard, so you’re stuck with whichever model you bought at the outset.
What You Can’t Usually Upgrade in a Laptop
It’s tempting to simply say that anything that’s not RAM or a hard drive can’t be upgraded, but we’ll break it down into specific components to make the implications clear.
The most important general performance component in your laptop is the CPU or Central Processing Unit. This is the brain of the computer and performs general-purpose number crunching. On a desktop system, the CPU is connected to the motherboard using a socket system. Making it easy to swap it out for a better model. Typically laptops don’t use this method. Instead, the CPU is soldered permanently to the motherboard.
Sadly, the same is usually true of the GPU or Graphical Processing Unit. It’s either integrated into the CPU or also soldered directly to the motherboard. This is the component that determines much of your performance in 3D applications and can also help in certain applications. Such as video editors, which often use the GPU to accelerate video encoding.
Some Laptops are More Upgradable Than Others
While it’s true that typical laptops don’t let you upgrade the CPU or GPU, there are exceptions. Some workstation-class laptops use a socketed desktop CPU. Which means it’s possible to upgrade the model of chip it shipped with. This is incredibly rare, but not unheard of.
When it comes to upgrading the internal GPU of a laptop, some models have a solution. It’s known as the Mobile PCI Express Module (MXM) and a few high-end laptops do make use of it. It’s essentially a mini, removable PCIe graphics card that can be exchanged for a better model.
While uncommon, it’s worth checking if your laptop uses the MXM standard for its discrete GPU. Although be prepared to pay a steep price, since MXM versions of GPUs can carry a hefty price premium.
Don’t Forget About External GPUs
If you’re lucky enough to have a laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 USB-C connection, you can actually connect an external GPU to the device and take advantage of desktop-class graphics. While you still need to confirm that your particular laptop model supports external GPUs, it’s a fantastic way to get access to a better GPU without having to buy an entirely new computer.
The main downside of these enclosures are that they need to be connected to mains power and are portable rather than mobile. However, if you only need to do basic tasks on the go and want to do heavy 3D graphics (such as gaming) when back at your desk, it’s a great option. If you want to know more, head over to Everything You Need to Know About External GPU Enclosures.
Are These Laptop Upgrades Worth It?
Now that you know what sorts of upgrades may be possible for your laptop, the next question is whether these upgrades are worth it.
If you’re in the position where you can actually upgrade the CPU or GPU in your laptop, it’s certainly worth it from a performance perspective. Upgrading these components can add years to the laptop’s life. However, they may also have an impact on heat and battery life. Not to mention that actually installing these upgrades might involve extensive disassembly. You should also weigh up the cost of these components, as they may be so expensive that a whole new system could be a better option.
When it comes to RAM or hard drive upgrades, it’s complicated. If your lack of performance is tied specifically to the CPU or GPU then upgrading your RAM isn’t going to do anything. If you’re running out of memory doing a task the CPU and GPU can handle (such as video editing on 4-8GB of RAM) then a RAM upgrade will make a big difference. If your laptop has very little RAM (4GB or less) then upgrading will let modern operating systems such as Windows 10 run properly.
When it comes to hard drive upgrades, we’ll always recommend changing out a mechanical hard drive for a solid state model. At least when it comes to the system drive with the operating system. SSDs make older laptops feel modern and snappy for everyday tasks such as browsing the web. Combined with a RAM upgrade, an SSD can relieve bottlenecks on the CPU, letting it run at its maximum level.
Good Uses for Old Laptops
If you really do need to replace your entire laptop, don’t throw the old machine out. If you can’t sell it for a good price, there are other uses you can put the old machine to:
- Use it as a media server (e.g. using Plex).
- Turn it into a network-attached storage device.
- Install Linux on it, it’s never too late to learn!
- Create a privacy-focused PC for sensitive browsing.
- Turn it into a retro-gaming emulation machine.
- Donate it to a young or old family member with only basic computing needs.
These are just a few ideas, but if you put your mind to it you’ll find that even an old computer running the right software in the right context can be incredibly useful. Electronic waste is a huge problem, so getting the entire useful life out of a computer won’t just make your life better. It will also help the environment!
