Hello,
I am considering upgrading my Thinkpad R50e, as I have decided not to buy a new computer and to max this one out to make it last at least four more years. (It will be three years old in September.)
I use it for general tasks, nothing special. Light gaming, SimCity 4 Deluxe, Starcraft, and emulation once I get it working in Ubuntu. So, graphics = not important.
Current specs are:
Intel Pentium M 1.6GHz Dothan 2MB cache
1GB RAM (2700)
60GB Hitachi 7200RPM hard drive
Intel Extreme 2 graphics (up to 64MB)
CD-RW/DVD drive
Ubuntu 8.04
I am planning on upgrading the RAM to 2GB. I would have to purchase 2 x 1GB sticks. The price of that is $83.
The second upgrade I am thinking about is the CD-RW/DVD drive. Now, I have limited options for the ultra bay size thing and last time I looked, direct from IBM was a lot of money for a DVD burner. So, I thought, why not get an external one? I found an LG one at newegg for $50. Not bad!
The final consideration is the hard drive. I already upgraded from a 4200RPM 40GB to a 60GB 7200RPM drive, but 120GB 5400RPM drives aren't too expensive, around $70. I then thought, why not buy an external enclosure for a 60GB 3.5" drive that has been sitting around for years? Ah! So, $14 could add 60GB to the computer. I already have an enclosure for the older 40GB drive, so this would be a bigger backup.
Cliffs:
1.Thinking about upgrading:
RAM 1GB -> 2GB
CD-RW/DVD -> external DVD Burner
HDD -> external enclosure
2. Expenses: $147 + shipping from newegg.
Now, I don't think that price is too bad. I thought about buying a new battery, but that is $170 (!). A few hours in battery life is not worth that much money.
Thank you for reading and please provide input/criticism/consideration/other options..
I am considering upgrading my Thinkpad R50e, as I have decided not to buy a new computer and to max this one out to make it last at least four more years. (It will be three years old in September.)
I use it for general tasks, nothing special. Light gaming, SimCity 4 Deluxe, Starcraft, and emulation once I get it working in Ubuntu. So, graphics = not important.
Current specs are:
Intel Pentium M 1.6GHz Dothan 2MB cache
1GB RAM (2700)
60GB Hitachi 7200RPM hard drive
Intel Extreme 2 graphics (up to 64MB)
CD-RW/DVD drive
Ubuntu 8.04
I am planning on upgrading the RAM to 2GB. I would have to purchase 2 x 1GB sticks. The price of that is $83.
The second upgrade I am thinking about is the CD-RW/DVD drive. Now, I have limited options for the ultra bay size thing and last time I looked, direct from IBM was a lot of money for a DVD burner. So, I thought, why not get an external one? I found an LG one at newegg for $50. Not bad!
The final consideration is the hard drive. I already upgraded from a 4200RPM 40GB to a 60GB 7200RPM drive, but 120GB 5400RPM drives aren't too expensive, around $70. I then thought, why not buy an external enclosure for a 60GB 3.5" drive that has been sitting around for years? Ah! So, $14 could add 60GB to the computer. I already have an enclosure for the older 40GB drive, so this would be a bigger backup.
Cliffs:
1.Thinking about upgrading:
RAM 1GB -> 2GB
CD-RW/DVD -> external DVD Burner
HDD -> external enclosure
2. Expenses: $147 + shipping from newegg.
Now, I don't think that price is too bad. I thought about buying a new battery, but that is $170 (!). A few hours in battery life is not worth that much money.
Thank you for reading and please provide input/criticism/consideration/other options..
