They brought us a laptop. Five-year-old HP, Windows 10, classic hard drive. “Maybe it’s time for a new one,” the customer said upon entering.
The computer took three minutes to boot. Opening the email program took almost a minute. Excel required patience.
Two hours later, the customer left with the same laptop—only now it booted in twenty-six seconds. Excel opened in three. The cost of the procedure: a fraction of a new laptop.
The difference? One SSD drive.
Why is an older laptop slow?
Most laptops five years old or older have an HDD inside – a classic hard drive with mechanical parts and spinning platters. It was the standard in its day. Today, it’s a bottleneck.
The processor and memory in such a laptop are often still powerful. But they are waiting for a disk that can’t keep up. The result: slow startup, slow opening of programs, the feeling that the computer is “thinking” with every click.
What is an SSD and why does it make a difference?
An SSD (solid-state drive) is a disk without mechanical parts. Data is stored on chips – similar to a USB stick, but with significantly higher performance and reliability.
A laptop that used to take three minutes to boot with an HDD starts up in 15 to 30 seconds with the same SSD. Programs open quickly. Files copy several times faster. The overall responsiveness of the system is different – significantly.
For most laptops that are slow to boot or open programs, replacing the disk is the one step that solves 80% of the perceived problem.
When does RAM help?
RAM – working memory – plays a second role. While an SSD determines the speed of booting and reading files, RAM determines how many programs and browser tabs can run at the same time without slowing down.
Signs that RAM is a bottleneck:
- The laptop only becomes slow when you have three or more programs open at the same time
- Switching between apps is slow
- A browser with ten tabs slows down everything else
- The system warns that the memory is full.
Typical laptops have 4 to 8 GB of RAM. If you work with Office programs, email, and a browser at the same time – 8 GB is the minimum for smooth work. For more demanding tasks (video editing, graphic work, large databases) we recommend 16 GB.
Is an upgrade even possible on your laptop?
This is where surprises often arise – and we better check before we promise anything.
Newer, ultra-thin laptops often have SSDs and RAM soldered directly to the motherboard. Replacing such components is not possible without replacing the motherboard – which is not economically feasible.
Most laptops between four and ten years old have:
- Replaceable HDD (2.5″ format) – possible replacement for SSD
- Replaceable RAM modules (SODIMM format) – possible to add or replace
Before we advise you, at FixIT we check the specifications of your model and physically look at what’s inside. We don’t guess.
What makes more sense: SSD or RAM? Or both?
Short, practical answer:
- Laptop is slow when booting up and opening programs → SSD
- Laptop slows down when using multiple programs at the same time → RAM
- The laptop is slow in all areas → maybe both
In practice, we most often start with an SSD. This is a change that customers immediately and clearly feel. We suggest a RAM upgrade when the symptoms are of a specific quality or when the customer already has an SSD and wants the next step.
How does the upgrade work at FixIT?
When you bring your laptop to us, we follow a clear process:
- Diagnostics of existing hardware – we check what is in the laptop and what is possible
- We transfer all your files and settings to a new disk (using the cloning method or fresh installation, depending on the state of the system)
- We install a new SSD or RAM module
- After installation, we check the operation of the system
- We deliver the laptop to you with all your files in place
We usually complete the entire process on the same day.
Is it worth upgrading or is it better to buy a new one?
Depending on the age of the laptop and its general condition. For guidance:
- Laptop under 7 years old with a working motherboard, processor and screen → upgrading the SSD or RAM is usually economically worthwhile
- A laptop older than 8 to 10 years, with visible signs of physical aging or a damaged motherboard → buying a new one is often a more economical decision
At FixIT, we’re honest. We don’t recommend upgrading when it doesn’t make sense – and we don’t recommend buying a new computer when the existing one can be salvaged for significantly less.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose data when upgrading to SSD?
No. In the standard process, we transfer all your files, programs, and settings to the new drive using the cloning method. After the upgrade, your laptop will perform the same as before – just significantly faster.
How much does an SSD laptop upgrade cost in Ljubljana?
The price depends on the capacity of the SSD and the scope of the work. Contact us with the model of your laptop – we will give you a specific estimate before any intervention.
Do I need to reinstall Windows after an SSD upgrade?
Not necessarily. Using the disk cloning method, we transfer the existing Windows along with all programs. When the system is in poor condition or the customer explicitly requests it, we perform a fresh installation.
How do I check how much RAM I have?
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select the “Performance” tab, and click “Memory.” You’ll see the total amount and how much is currently occupied.
How long does the procedure take?
Most upgrades are completed the same day. For laptops with larger drives or special requirements, we schedule a time in advance.