Notebook Upgradable parts

Can anybody help me..
What parts can I upgrade?

I'm not very familiar with notebooks since I have been a desktop guy all my life.

1. I know you can upgrade the RAM..

2. Can you upgrade the graphics card?

3. I'm also thinking of getting Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection ... Or should I upgrade to 3
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network w/Bluetooth? Is it cheaper if I buy from an outside source and attach it (upgrade is worth $45?) Is that even possible?

 

CPU (difficult)
RAM (easy)
Hard drive (easy if you have reinstall discs)
GPU (99% of the time it is impossible)
Optical drive (possible if part available, but very easy)
Screen (don't even think about the surgery required)

 

Pretty much OS/HD/RAM is guaranteed to be upgradable, as long as you have the correct matching type.

CPU/OD/Screen is much harder and will be a tough job, and will void your warranty(sans the Optical Drive). The OD is hard because, it will fit, but it won't be flush with the notebook since the faceplate isn't easy to find. The screen has too much wiring so they have to match voltage and connection, and the CPU just voids the whole notebook all together.

If not advertised, your notebook is not upgradeable, simple as that. Dell has exceptions, but only on a few models, and those models are still limited in terms of upgrading(like x1300 to x1400).

 

I'm also thinking of getting Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection ... Or should I upgrade to 3
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network w/Bluetooth? Is it cheaper if I buy from an outside source and attach it (upgrade is worth $45?) Is that even possible?

 

RAM and Harddrive are the most upgradeable, and the only ones worth it.

otherwise your upgrade path is.
Buy new laptop.....sell old laptop off on ebay etc.

Its way more cost effective IMHO.

on the otherhand My brother replaced the motherboard on his Dell, its ancient in laptop terms, but he somehow has 4 hours of battery life so...who knows.

I just got ride of a 18month old Toshiba to a friend who knows nothing about laptops. I upgraded and install all the software cleanly for her. Sold it for the same price I paid.....a great deal for both of us. For her to geeksquad that it would have been 200 bucks easy.

 

Since there really are no reliable choices for upgrading a WiFi card, I'd get the Intel 4965. It is the current leader in the market AFAIK.

 

This is quoted for truth.

If you need Bluetooth, just get the on-board Bluetooth with the Intel module. Internal wireless is preferable to external wireless, because then your laptop doesn't have this enormous "pod" and an antenna sticking out of the ExpressCard slot. Also, I would stick with internal Bluetooth if you really need it, because most external Bluetooth receivers are USB and about 2 inches long, so if you travel a lot, it'll get in the way.

 

for the screen, my friend had 2 of the same lappys, one screen was cracked, the other had a bad HDD. i swaped out the screens (just a fun story). everything above is correct. one thing though, i dont know if you can take out your internal wireless and replace it.

 

Get the Intel 4965AGN card, you WON'T be dissappointed. I have it now and I've compared it to the connectivity and speeds of the older 3945ABG in another Dell and the N card is so much better. It could also be that I'm using it on Vista, but I'd say Intel also did quite a bit of testing on this card before releasing it.

I have it connecting to a DLink Pre-N router, but it can perform very well with a G-router as well. It has a greater range than the other card also (because of 3 antennas as oppossed to 2).