SSDs

[BaltimoreTerp]

So, I've owned a Gateway laptop (http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/2007/Oasis/1014479R/1014479Rnv.shtml) for four and a half years. I'm considering a new computer, but in the meantime I want to speed up this one.

I did a complete format/OS reinstall, which was a big help. However, I was thinking about upgrading to a solid-state drive, which I understand will be an even bigger boost.

The questions I have for the experts are:

1) Since SSDs are still expensive, is it worth spending the money for what would be a down-grade in storage (though I have a terabyte external, so I can store many things there) on a computer of this age?

2) From what I can tell, the hard drive connector on my laptop is an older ATA, while most newer drives are SATA. Does anyone have any experience or recommendations with drives that may be compatible?

3) Would other, less expensive upgrades (like adding RAM) be a better fix?

If anyone else has any other comments, they are welcome, too.

[square634]

My personal theory is that I would never invest in upgrading a machine that old, especially a laptop. By five years I inevitably have a motherboard, graphics card, or other failure. Better to just save the money for a new machine and start fresh IMO.

[BaltimoreTerp]

My personal theory is that I would never invest in upgrading a machine that old, especially a laptop. By five years I inevitably have a motherboard, graphics card, or other failure. Better to just save the money for a new machine and start fresh IMO.

Maybe my family has just had REALLY good luck with computers. Our last two desktops lasted us eight and ten years, though obviously they weren't particularly useful later on.

I'm really just trying to make it so I can push off needing a newer system (barring failure, obviously), so if putting another 150 dollars into means I can buy some time and save up the money to really get the one I want, I think that's something to consider.

[scOtt]

Terp, do you have the skills to build your own? You can save a LOT of money that way.

[sbauer]

1) I guess it depends on what you're trying accomplish. With a SSD your OS boot time will speed up. Your applications also should load off the drive faster.

2) Honestly, I don't know of an internal SSD drive that doesn't use SATA.

3) Yes. I would max out the RAM. That would be your best upgrade. Even if you were able to find a SSD for your laptop, I wouldn't spend the money. I think you'll find that the other PC components will be more of a bottleneck than the hard drive.

[crowmst3k!]

Agree with sbauer. Also, Laptops are so cheap and power-efficient these days. AMD's APUs are also bringing powerful/inexpensive onboard graphics to the masses. It's a great time to be a computer geek.