Satellite Pro L300 upgrades?

So I have this Satellite Pro L300, and after looking up additional wireless cards, I've been wondering something. The Pro L300 and the standard L300 use the same BIOS... so technically, if the machines used the same sockets, would a Core 2 Duo CPU from a standard L300 be able to replace the Pentium dual core T3200 from the Pro?

Does anyone know what CPU is supported by the Pro L300? A service manual for the model online quotes that the L300 range is compatible with the Penryn Core 2 Duo CPUs on a 1066MHz FSB. The specific CPUs it quotes are the P7350, P8400, P8600, P9500, T9400 and T9600. If these are quoted here, does it mean they will work in the board? (please note I am capable of doing the job, and know its a tricky and risky procedure but have the chance of getting a T9400 on the cheap so am considering).

Furthermore I'm looking for other upgrades I can do. I am going to boost RAM to 4GB when I can get some on the cheap, and there is another thing I'm wondering about. I have a spare webcam and webcam bezel from another L300. The connection to the motherboard on the Pro for this is just solder pads. In theory, if I soldered wires directly from these pads to the wire of the webcam, would the webcam work? It's a ribbon cable so would be tricky to do, but in theory is it a plausible idea?

Is there anything else I can feasibly do? I am pretty handy with a soldering iron and don't mind a bit of hard work to improve this PC. I know screen upgrades are well out of the question as I don't think these can run anything higher than 1280x800 (however if this is incorrect, I'm up for trying this too)

 

I would think the CPU upgrade should work.
The only major differences with the Satellite vs Satellite Pro are: Windows Professional OS, more RAM, more HDD capacity, longer warranty. Everything is basically the same between the 2 models L300 and Pro L300

I did some random samplings of Pro L300 specifications, and they all had the "Intel GM45 chipset".
Here's an example: Model Content Page
Thus, if the L300 and Pro L300 use the same BIOS [as you stated, and they most likely do], then the CPU should be easily swapable [but not guaranteed].

As for the 4GB ram, See this link: http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/Satellite-Pro-Laptops/L300-Memory-Limit-of-2GB-Purchased-in-South-Africa/m-p/105103
As for the webcam, I have no idea.

Here's some additional info you may find helpful:
How to remove LCD screen and replace video cable in Toshiba Satellite L305 and L305D laptop
Search - Toshiba Forums


Good luck

 

Looking at the T3400 which is part of the same series as the T3200, both the T3400 ( here) and T9400 ( here) support the same socket (PGA478). However, I'm not sure if the Satellite Pro L300 BIOS blacklists other CPUs so customers can't upgrade. It would be a great idea to refer to this hardware maintenance manual ( here) for instructions on the disassembly and assembly of your computer. After you replace the CPUs, it would be of great interest to apply thermal paste before reattaching the fan assembly.

 

I'm not sure about the blacklisting either, but in theory as they use the same BIOS, anything that was sold in a standard L300 will work in the Pro. The thing that makes me think the T9400 will work is the fact that the hardware maintenance manual you posted quotes it. Thanks for the heads up on thermal paste and such, though I've had this thing to pieces before

As for RAM limitations, mine, an L300-19S, mentions a limit of 4GB on the RAM. I'm sure I can test this anyway, my old HP has a 2GB stick in it (and is currently lying dead in the wardrobe)

As for the webcam, I've got one I'm not using so I'll get the wire strippers and see if I can solder it or not.

 

i own TOSHIBA SATELLITE PRO L300 - 19Q Part Number : PSLB9E-00G007EN
Intel® Celeron® Processor 575
intel cantiga GL40
BIOS: Insyde EFI 2.20 12/09/2009
and i tested P8400 CPU and it wont work, it just powers on for 3-5 s and shuts down

 

Another revival for this thread.

I'm currently looking into doing a similar processor update on another L300 (PSLB8C-07R01X), currently containing a T6400. The replacement processor hasn't been selected yet.

Thanks to the OP for providing the list of 1066MHz processors listed in the maintenance manual. Thanks also to AESdecryption for the link to that manual, but that link is now dead.

Questions:
1) Can someone complete the list above with the "officially supported" 800MHz processors, per the maintenance manual. A renewed link to that manual would be even better.
2) I'm under the assumption that everything being equal, a CPU with an 800MHz FSB would be preferable performance-wise, given that the best RAM for this machine is DDR2-800. The cost of a mismatched FSB/RAM would not be compensated by the little gain from upping to a 1066 FSB
3) I'm also interested to hear about any other success/failure story for any PSLB8x/9x/Ax/Bx-based Toshiba.

Thanks

 

4 Gb (2x2 sodimm ddr2) did not work for me, had to return 2gb module to the shop. I think this is chipset limitation and 3Gb is the absolute maximum. I've tested all modules and 1gb+2gb combination worked for all of them. Tested CPUs are T7500 and T7700 tested them myself they work flawlessly. A t5600 (t5600 479) is proven NOT working. I'm tempting to buy a (cheap) t9400 or t9500 (specifications seem to match and they support Socket P) but frankly there's no much sense in that, it's a very, very low budget laptop with low quality pcb and cooling system and you wouldn't be able to sell it for more than a hundred bucks (Toshiba L300-11Q).