Accurate that RAM and hard drive memory are essentially not upgradable on thin notebook computers?

[GON]

Came across this Lenovo slim notebook at A local Staples. Apparently $300 discount, although parts number check points out that this notebook is sold exclusively at Staples.

IIRC this notebook has 16 gig or RAM, and 512k or solid state hard drive. I thought I read an article that stated notebooks of this construction essentially are not upgradeable in ram or hard drive. Thoughts?

https://www.staples.com/lenovo-slim...gb-ssd-windows-11-83d80000us/product_24592975

 

[ripcord]

It very much depends on the specific laptop. There are some that have the RAM soldered to the motherboard. Usually the SSD card is replaceable, though.

Edit: I googled that specific model and the RAM is indeed soldered on and the SSD card is removable.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Planned obsolescence combined with slim format = no upgrade options. You'd have to do some research on the model to see if any of the components (SSD, RAM) are upgradeable but I doubt it.

These days for laptops, I go with off-lease business machines that have upgrade options. My last purchase was an off-lease Dell Inspiron 7530 for $300. Came with a 6-core Xeon (Coffee Lake, 9th gen) Intel CPU, 32gb RAM and Nvidia Quadro P2000 graphics. Upgradable to 128gb RAM and has 3 nvme SSD slots. With a 15" screen, I don't consider it particularly bulky.

If you want a really slim laptop that performs well that you can't upgrade, look for an AMD chip (7-8000 series) with 32GB RAM (super fast because it's soldered to the motherboard), and whatever size SSD you prefer. Last one I purchased for work ran about $800. I wouldn't settle for a laptop with 16GB ram that you can't upgrade.

 

[Pew]

Planned obsolescence combined with slim format = no upgrade options. You'd have to do some research on the model to see if any of the components (SSD, RAM) are upgradeable but I doubt it.

These days for laptops, I go with off-lease business machines that have upgrade options. My last purchase was an off-lease Dell Inspiron 7530 for $300. Came with a 6-core Xeon (Coffee Lake, 9th gen) Intel CPU, 32gb RAM and Nvidia Quadro P2000 graphics. Upgradable to 128gb RAM and has 3 nvme SSD slots. With a 15" screen, I don't consider it particularly bulky.

If you want a really slim laptop that performs well that you can't upgrade, look for an AMD chip (7-8000 series) with 32GB RAM (super fast because it's soldered to the motherboard), and whatever size SSD you prefer. Last one I purchased for work ran about $800. I wouldn't settle for a laptop with 16GB ram that you can't upgrade.

In this case if you want ultra thin you have to compromise. There are still a lot of laptops that are SSD and RAM upgradable.

 

[GON]

In this case if you want ultra thin you have to compromise. There are still a lot of laptops that are SSD and RAM upgradable.

I typically travel with two laptops. A work issued and a personal. The work issued is often a large format dell which is very bulky and heavy. So, for personal use I prefer as small and light as possible. My backpack when loaded for travel weighs on it about 40 lbs, so I try to find ways to reduce weight.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I typically travel with two laptops. A work issued and a personal. The work issued is often a large format dell which is very bulky and heavy. So, for personal use I prefer as small and light as possible. My backpack when loaded for travel weighs on it about 40 lbs, so I try to find ways to reduce weight.

Tablet with a ultra thin keyboard is not an option I presume? I am in the same boat - work issued boat anchor. I carry my Samsung tablet.

 

[dubber09]

Take note of model number, go to Crucial web site to check what they offer for RAM and disk upgrades, if they do then those components are upgradable, you will also get an idea what you can upgrade up to.

 

[wavinwayne]

Pretty sure that is the case for Macbook Airs like mine. Everything is what it is and that's that.

 

[jcy]

usually the quickest way to find out about laptop upgrades is through a yt search

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ideapad+slim+7i+upgrade

 

[Pew]

I typically travel with two laptops. A work issued and a personal. The work issued is often a large format dell which is very bulky and heavy. So, for personal use I prefer as small and light as possible. My backpack when loaded for travel weighs on it about 40 lbs, so I try to find ways to reduce weight.

You do travel a lot, I feel your pain with carrying two laptops. You should be loving the advancements in the ultralight laptop scene. I used to lug around a 15" Asus rog laptop for work but I downsized to a 13" HP years ago and I won't go back to big laptops. On occasion I'll carry two laptops for work but only as a commute to and from work.

I do get to see how the company employees steer towards certain preferences too. Most nowadays rather have a smaller portable laptop even if it foregoes any future hardware upgrades. My experiences have mirrors that too; usually thinner but not extreme ultralights will still luckily have an m.2 slot if the ram is soldered (or at least in the "c-level" business models like the HP Elitebook 840.)