Old Aspire 1690 WLMi + new Hard drive vs. New Laptop

My old Aspire 1690WLMi runs Windows 7, but can`t run Aero cause it has an integrated graphics card. Hard drive space is super tight since it`s only 80gb. Thinking of getting a new laptop around $1000, but also considering just getting a new 320gb hard drive for $100. What do you think i should do - new laptop or new hard drive.

 

80GB is enough for a system drive.
Although I have 320GB my System Partition is only 80GB like you.

 

I wish i had a system partition of 80gb, but 80gb isn't enough for a whole system. Space is my main problem atm. I have 400mb left on my system partition! 1.4gb left on my other, which is my downloading partition. So annoying downloading stuff..

Weighing the decision of spending $100 and having the same below average performance but less inconvenience, or $1000 and getting a major upgrade.

 

I'd go for a new machine, and either split things between the 2 machines (eg emails and newsgroups on one , web downloads on the other), or just use the old machine as backup for vital files.

Some machines of the Aspire 1690WLMi age can be very good, and you may have a problem finding a modern machine with, for example, decent firewire, but you probably need to add memory as well. Things like optical drives can also get old and gradually less reliable after 4 or 5 years, so things point to a newer machine.

The other option of course is to invest in an external firewire or usb drive and use that for storage, keeping the working and mobile machine light and nimble.