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AR15.COM
3/1/2013 11:28:07 AM EDT
i bought this http://www.officemax.com/technology/computers/laptop-computers/product-prod4310262






it was a quick cheap replacement to a outdated and a smashed compaq












what, if anything, could i do to improve its performance?  i know its not going to be a rocket ship of a machine but its pretty slow at some times and gets bogged down with basic tasks












windows 8 fucking blows but i can deal with it.  but other than that , what can i do?  i have already deleted all the useless programs.   still didnt help









ETA:  sticker says 400 but i walked out the store 240 after tax and a 2 year full replacement warranty.  i couldnt -not- buy it

 
3/1/2013 11:29:10 AM EDT
[#1]
Load Linux?  
3/1/2013 11:29:17 AM EDT
[#2]
Double the RAM to 8GB, and put a solid state drive in it.
3/1/2013 11:30:36 AM EDT
[#3]
Put more ram in it.  Bring it up to 8gb.

Was it pre-loaded with Norton or some other crappy antivirus bloatware app?   If so uninstall it and get Microsoft security essentials.
3/1/2013 11:32:40 AM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
i bought this http://www.officemax.com/technology/computers/laptop-computers/product-prod4310262

it was a quick cheap replacement to a outdated and a smashed compaq


what, if anything, could i do to improve its performance?  i know its not going to be a rocket ship of a machine but its pretty slow at some times and gets bogged down with basic tasks


windows 8 fucking blows but i can deal with it.  but other than that , what can i do?  i have already deleted all the useless programs.   still didnt help


ETA:  sticker says 400 but i walked out the store 240 after tax and a 2 year full replacement warranty.  i couldnt -not- buy it
 


Return the "replacement warranty" and use the money to buy extra memory and a SSD and still have money left over...
3/1/2013 11:33:11 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Load Linux?  


Dang that was fast.
3/1/2013 11:36:22 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Load Linux?  


Dang that was fast.


well, it IS linux....
3/1/2013 11:36:52 AM EDT
[#7]
Stop expecting high performance out of slim component non-Apple devices?
3/1/2013 11:44:07 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Put more ram in it.  Bring it up to 8gb.

Was it pre-loaded with Norton or some other crappy antivirus bloatware app?   If so uninstall it and get Microsoft security essentials.

/
This
3/1/2013 11:46:07 AM EDT
[#9]
As stated, and SSD and more RAM are about the only things you can do.
3/1/2013 11:48:53 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Double the RAM to 8GB, and put a solid state drive in it.


If he has the 32-bit version of Win8 will doubling the RAM actually do anything useful?
3/1/2013 11:49:43 AM EDT
[#11]



Quoted:



Quoted:

Double the RAM to 8GB, and put a solid state drive in it.




If he has the 32-bit version of Win8 will doubling the RAM actually do anything useful?


It's got 4GB in it now, and I'd be surprised if Toshiba actually installed a 32-bit OS.

 
3/1/2013 11:55:51 AM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Quoted:
Double the RAM to 8GB, and put a solid state drive in it.


If he has the 32-bit version of Win8 will doubling the RAM actually do anything useful?

It's got 4GB in it now, and I'd be surprised if Toshiba actually installed a 32-bit OS.  


I've been all through the spec sheet and it doesn't say.  It does include the 64-bit legal disclaimers, but it looks like boilerplate.  OP should check his version just to be sure before replacing memory.
3/1/2013 12:26:50 PM EDT
[#13]





Quoted:





Quoted:
Quoted:




Quoted:


Double the RAM to 8GB, and put a solid state drive in it.






If he has the 32-bit version of Win8 will doubling the RAM actually do anything useful?



It's got 4GB in it now, and I'd be surprised if Toshiba actually installed a 32-bit OS.  






I've been all through the spec sheet and it doesn't say.  It does include the 64-bit legal disclaimers, but it looks like boilerplate.  OP should check his version just to be sure before replacing memory.



and of course i GOTTA be THAT guy...  

 






no idea how to check what version.  







is a SSD replace the hard drive with a non mechanical storage drive?

 
3/1/2013 12:29:21 PM EDT
[#14]



Quoted:



Quoted:

Put more ram in it.  Bring it up to 8gb.



Was it pre-loaded with Norton or some other crappy antivirus bloatware app?   If so uninstall it and get Microsoft security essentials.



/

This



i was actually succseful in transfering my key and norton 360 from my old laptop to this one.  but if you think getting rid of norton and using microsofts virus protection would be better im all for it.   would save me the 100 sum bux a year in subscription fee

 
3/1/2013 12:30:29 PM EDT
[#15]



Quoted:




is a SSD replace the hard drive with a non mechanical storage drive?
 


Yes. Replace it's existing mechanical drive with a solid state drive.

 
3/1/2013 12:32:51 PM EDT
[#16]





Quoted:



Double the RAM to 8GB, and put a solid state drive in it.



Along with disabling the windows bling, and cleaning up the start menu, tweaking services...
You should be pretty good to go with that, then.





Hard to complain, that's CHEAP netbook money, shit my Asus netbook was $100 more.




eta: If I was going to replace the hard drive with a SSD, I'd just put Win7 64 Ultimate on it and be done.

I'm really not interested in win 8 at all... but on the other hand, I have heard it will bench faster than 7, so I guess it's really up to you.
 
3/1/2013 12:33:45 PM EDT
[#17]
Up the ram to 8gb. Buy a copy of win7 and get rid of all the pre loaded crap that it came with.
3/1/2013 12:33:50 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted:
Quoted:

Quoted:
Quoted:
Double the RAM to 8GB, and put a solid state drive in it.


If he has the 32-bit version of Win8 will doubling the RAM actually do anything useful?

It's got 4GB in it now, and I'd be surprised if Toshiba actually installed a 32-bit OS.  


I've been all through the spec sheet and it doesn't say.  It does include the 64-bit legal disclaimers, but it looks like boilerplate.  OP should check his version just to be sure before replacing memory.


he should also double check that his model will support the 8gig physically (it might only have one memory slot, or it might have two that each hold 4gig but he'd be stuck taking the motherboard out , etc).
3/1/2013 12:35:38 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Quoted:

Quoted:
Quoted:
Double the RAM to 8GB, and put a solid state drive in it.


If he has the 32-bit version of Win8 will doubling the RAM actually do anything useful?

It's got 4GB in it now, and I'd be surprised if Toshiba actually installed a 32-bit OS.  


I've been all through the spec sheet and it doesn't say.  It does include the 64-bit legal disclaimers, but it looks like boilerplate.  OP should check his version just to be sure before replacing memory.

and of course i GOTTA be THAT guy...    

no idea how to check what version.


is a SSD replace the hard drive with a non mechanical storage drive?
 


3/1/2013 12:37:44 PM EDT
[#20]



Quoted:




and of course i GOTTA be THAT guy...    



no idea how to check what version.  


Ok, after reading that...





I would suggest upgrading your RAM to the maximum, and just leaving it at that.
No offense intended, but there's no need to get in over your head. The machine should run fine as is.





 
3/1/2013 12:54:05 PM EDT
[#21]
Linux with more memory and an SSD and it will really fly.

It will take you about 2 weeks to totally transition to Linux, and once there you will never want a commercial OS again.

There is nothing a windoze or mac box can do that a Linux box can not do.
3/1/2013 1:01:46 PM EDT
[#22]
You're really stretching what Linux is capable of doing for the average to low-information user.  They inevitably wind up wanting to use software and devices that are poorly supported, or often not supported at all.  

Quoted:
Linux with more memory and an SSD and it will really fly.

It will take you about 2 weeks to totally transition to Linux, and once there you will never want a commercial OS again.

There is nothing a windoze or mac box can do that a Linux box can not do.


3/1/2013 1:03:37 PM EDT
[#23]



Quoted:


Linux with more memory and an SSD and it will really fly.



It will take you about 2 weeks to totally transition to Linux, and once there you will never want a commercial OS again.



There is nothing a windoze or mac box can do that a Linux box can not do.


As a long time Linux user (and not as a hobbyist, either), I have to disagree with this advice.

 
3/1/2013 1:07:01 PM EDT
[#24]
Quoted:
Linux with more memory and an SSD and it will really fly.

It will take you about 2 weeks to totally transition to Linux, and once there you will never want a commercial OS again.

There is nothing a windoze or mac box can do that a Linux box can not do
.


While I agree with you, there's a TON of shit linux boxen can't do for neophyte Windoze users who want run their shitty M$ only compatible apps without a fairly steep learning curve.

Ever try to get 3dsMax or ACAD installed and functional on a debian box without a VM?
3/1/2013 1:14:02 PM EDT
[#25]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Quoted:
Put more ram in it.  Bring it up to 8gb.

Was it pre-loaded with Norton or some other crappy antivirus bloatware app?   If so uninstall it and get Microsoft security essentials.

/
This

i was actually succseful in transfering my key and norton 360 from my old laptop to this one.  but if you think getting rid of norton and using microsofts virus protection would be better im all for it.   would save me the 100 sum bux a year in subscription fee  


Yes its un-needed bloatware. Uninstall all of it.


3/2/2013 7:15:09 PM EDT
[#26]
64 bit operating system   x64 based processor




that is based on the info per the instructions on that youtube video







is it ok to buy ram from ebay?  i think i found the stuff i need.
3/3/2013 5:04:10 AM EDT
[#27]
Quoted:
64 bit operating system   x64 based processor

that is based on the info per the instructions on that youtube video


is it ok to buy ram from ebay?  i think i found the stuff i need.


Should be.  As long as it's the right stuff it doesn't matter where you get it.
3/3/2013 5:09:50 AM EDT
[#28]



Quoted:


64 bit operating system   x64 based processor




that is based on the info per the instructions on that youtube video







is it ok to buy ram from ebay?  i think i found the stuff i need.


Better off buying quality shit from Newegg.



It's cheap to buy good, highly rated RAM, why buy not much cheaper garbage RAM off ebay?
 
3/3/2013 5:56:32 AM EDT
[#29]
thanks!!   ill check out newegg
3/3/2013 6:06:26 AM EDT
[#30]
damn it .  



i just opened up the door on the laptop and it has two slots which are filled with two sticks of 2g ram. (makes up its factory supplied 4g)







i thought i was going to be able to buy just one 4g stick.   i guess ill have to purchase 2 X 4 g sticks.  or should i get bigger ones?  



3/3/2013 6:08:55 AM EDT
[#31]

Quoted:





damn it .  












i just opened up the door on the laptop and it has two slots which are filled with two sticks of 2g ram. (makes up its factory supplied 4g)






















i thought i was going to be able to buy just one 4g stick.   i guess ill have to purchase 2 X 4 g sticks.  or should i get bigger ones?  














Depends on what the actual limit is on the laptop.
Usually it's double, but you have to check the manual to see what the max RAM supported is... I don't see it on the website.
eta: looks like Crucial says it'll support 16Gb.



http://www.crucial.com/eu/upgrade/Toshiba-memory/Satellite+C8xx+Series/Satellite+C855D-S5357-upgrades.html
 
3/3/2013 6:30:12 AM EDT
[#32]
Quoted:
Double the RAM to 8GB, and put a solid state drive in it.


First two posts absolutely nail it.  The 8GB would be more than enough unless you're working with graphics / photo or the like.  However you could get away with just the above if you stayed w/ windows.  Still I'd "upgrade" back to Win7-64 bit even then.  Just sayin......

3/3/2013 7:49:22 AM EDT
[#33]



Quoted:





Quoted:

damn it .  



i just opened up the door on the laptop and it has two slots which are filled with two sticks of 2g ram. (makes up its factory supplied 4g)







i thought i was going to be able to buy just one 4g stick.   i guess ill have to purchase 2 X 4 g sticks.  or should i get bigger ones?  





Depends on what the actual limit is on the laptop.



Usually it's double, but you have to check the manual to see what the max RAM supported is... I don't see it on the website.
eta: looks like Crucial says it'll support 16Gb.



http://www.crucial.com/eu/upgrade/Toshiba-memory/Satellite+C8xx+Series/Satellite+C855D-S5357-upgrades.html



 


i was going to buy that kit crucial is selling.  looks decent priced...  (only assuming)

 



thanks for the assist