SIGforum
Making an old laptop new?

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/3470069664

February 25, 2020, 08:00 PM
Cous2492
Making an old laptop new?
In about 2014, I bought a Dell Latitude laptop on clearance at BestBuy. It has (had) Windows 7. Over the 6 years I had the laptop, I used it VERY little. In fact, there was a year period when I didn't have a charger for it so it never got turned on. It is not fast by any means, but it is in great condition.

Here is my question:
I am in the process of updating to Windows 10. I also plan on upgrading the RAM from 4 to 16GB. The battery still lasts several hours so its good enough for now. Am I spinning my wheels with this machine? Can a 6+ year old laptop find new useful life?

The main purpose of this laptop will be to run Adobe LightRoom and stream youtube videos.
February 25, 2020, 08:05 PM
Ronin101
Lightroom minimum specifications for Windows
Processor: Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor.
Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10 with 64-bit support (Version 1709 or later)
RAM: 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended)
Hard disk space: 2 GB of available hard-disk space for program installation.
More items...•

What processor is it? I would probably upgrade to a faster processor at the same time.. So probably better to get a new one. Who knows how the battery will last.
February 25, 2020, 08:12 PM
Black92LX
My laptop is probably over 10 years old.
I is an intel celeron dual core processor with 4gb of ram and a 250gb SSD drive running windows 10.

It browses the internet, is my .pdf reading for my shop manuals, and what I use ForScan (reprogram the control modules in my Fords).
If I ever get my Mustang back up and running I will use it for tuning that car using Tuner Studio.
Though none of these things take much processing power.
I am guessing Lightroom may require a bit more power.

The SSD drive really woke my laptop up.


————————————————
The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad.
If we got each other, and that's all we have.
I will be your brother, and I'll hold your hand.
You should know I'll be there for you!
February 25, 2020, 08:18 PM
Cous2492
It says AMD E2 Vision processor.
February 26, 2020, 01:16 AM
Aeteocles
An SSD will make a pretty big impact on your performance with Lightroom.
February 26, 2020, 04:50 AM
downtownv
SSD
Thanks to VT Hokey, I did 2 older MacBook Pros and they run better than an illegal crossing the border now!
Dan Da Man!


_________________________
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2177215486049695
February 26, 2020, 06:09 AM
MG34_Dan
quote:
Originally posted by Cous2492:
In about 2014, I bought a Dell Latitude laptop on clearance at BestBuy. It has (had) Windows 7. Over the 6 years I had the laptop, I used it VERY little. In fact, there was a year period when I didn't have a charger for it so it never got turned on. It is not fast by any means, but it is in great condition.

Here is my question:
I am in the process of updating to Windows 10. I also plan on upgrading the RAM from 4 to 16GB. The battery still lasts several hours so its good enough for now. Am I spinning my wheels with this machine? Can a 6+ year old laptop find new useful life?

The main purpose of this laptop will be to run Adobe LightRoom and stream youtube videos.


What Latitude model number?


“Elections have consequences, and at the end of the day, I won.”
– Barack Hussein Obama, January 23, 2009
February 26, 2020, 06:58 AM
daikyu
Processor speed increases have flatlined for a while now so you may be OK there. Adding the RAM is a big step that will help. Hard drive speed will be greatly enhanced with a SSD the problem is that you will be limited to a SATA SSD which will bottleneck the performance.
February 26, 2020, 07:06 AM
vthoky
quote:
Originally posted by downtownv:
SSD
Thanks to VT Hokey, I did 2 older MacBook Pros and they run better than an illegal crossing the border now!
Dan Da Man!


Glad I could help you, TP!



God bless America.
February 26, 2020, 08:06 AM
smschulz
quote:
Originally posted by Cous2492:
It says AMD E2 Vision processor.


I wouldn't go too crazy ~ that is a very weak low performing CPU.
You could add some ram but that would be some benefit but nothing magical.
The SSD upgrade now that they are so cheap would be the best improvement.
But bottom line this computer does not have big capabilities but can be functional.
YMMV