From Celeron to Core i7: Upgrading a Junk Dynabook for a Major Comeback!

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Setting Goals for the New Year
• Introduction to the PC
• Specifications at the Time of Purchase
• External Interfaces
• Design and Build Quality
• Internal Components
• Upgrading the CPU
• Installing a Blu-ray Drive
• Upgrading the Memory
• Installing an SSD for Storage
• testing and Performance Evaluation
• Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to the New Year and to this exciting Channel! In this article, we will be exploring a nostalgic PC that I recently came across. It's a Toshiba Dynabook, which holds a special place in the history of our channel. Join me as I take you through the journey of this PC, from its original specifications to the various upgrades I have made. Let's dive in and see how this PC holds up in today's technology landscape.

Setting Goals for the New Year

As we usher in the New Year, it's always a good idea to set some goals for ourselves. One of my goals for this year is to reach 10,000 subscribers on our channel. With a little push, I believe we can achieve this milestone. So, let's embark on this journey together and work towards making our channel even better in the coming year. Without further ado, let's get started!

Introduction to the PC

Before we delve into the upgrades, let's take a moment to familiarize ourselves with this nostalgic PC. The model in question is a Toshiba Dynabook, which might ring a Bell for those who have been following our channel for a while. It shares many similarities with a PC I showcased in one of our earlier videos. The nostalgia factor is definitely strong with this one.

Specifications at the Time of Purchase

When I initially acquired this PC, it came with modest specifications. It sported a Celeron processor, 2GB of memory, and a standard 250GB HDD. Performance-wise, it wasn't anything to write home about, but considering it was geared towards business use, it served its purpose. The price tag was also quite attractive, with the PC costing me a mere 2,200 yen. What a steal!

External Interfaces

Let's take a closer look at the external interfaces of this PC. On the left side, we have a PC card slot and a combined USB 2.0 port. Moving to the back, we find the power jack, D-sub connector, and a Kensington lock. On the right side, there are two USB 2.0 ports, an audio jack for headphones and microphone, and at the front, we have speakers and an indicator lamp for the SD card slot. Overall, the PC offers a decent array of interface options, although the absence of a USB 3.0 port is a bit disappointing.

Design and Build Quality

The laptop's exterior has a textured finish that does a good job of hiding smudges and scratches. While it may not have a premium design, the matte surface is a practical choice. Opening up the laptop, we're greeted with a 15.6-inch display with a resolution of 1366x768. It's worth noting that the resolution is not particularly high, but given the target audience for this PC, it suffices. The Toshiba logo sits above the display, along with the power buttons. The keyboard, despite its age, is in good condition, although it does seem a bit dusty. A notable addition is a weather display, which was absent in the previous model. With all the basic components covered, let's move on to the internals of the PC.

Internal Components

After removing the battery cover, we get access to the memory and HDD compartments. It's worth mentioning that the HDD bay has the mounting bracket still intact, which is a pleasant surprise. Many Second-HAND PCs sold as "junk" often lack this essential part. It's reassuring to see that the laptop has been well-maintained in this aspect. The memory, however, leaves much to be desired, with only 2GB being the standard at the time. Given that the laptop runs on Windows 7, it definitely calls for more memory. Now that we have a clear picture of the PC's internals, let's proceed with the upgrades.

Upgrading the CPU

The main focus of our upgrades will be replacing the CPU. However, one major hurdle is the need to disassemble the entire laptop for this task. Toshiba laptops, in particular, are known for their intricate assembly, making the process slightly more complicated compared to other manufacturers. Nevertheless, we soldier on and eventually manage to access the CPU cooler. The existing Celeron processor is small in size, but we are about to give it a major performance boost. The new CPU that I've chosen for this upgrade is the Core i7-2679M. It offers a significant improvement in performance compared to the original Celeron. Let's get this upgrade underway!

Installing a Blu-ray Drive

Another exciting upgrade we'll be making to this PC is installing a Blu-ray drive. To replace the rather obscure DVD drive that came with the laptop, we opt for a Panasonic Blu-ray drive. This upgrade is more of a bonus since I happened to have a spare drive lying around. With the necessary mounting brackets and bezels, the installation process is straightforward. Now, our PC can double as a Blu-ray player, adding to its versatility.

Upgrading the Memory

In order to enhance the PC's overall performance, we will be upgrading the memory. The stock 2GB just won't cut it, especially for tasks such as multitasking and running modern applications. By replacing it with an 8GB memory module, we can significantly improve the PC's responsiveness and allow for smoother operation. With the memory upgrade complete, the PC is now better equipped to handle demanding tasks.

Installing an SSD for Storage

To expedite data access and boost the PC's overall performance, we will be replacing the standard HDD with a 240GB SSD. The solid-state drive offers faster read and write speeds, resulting in quicker boot times and improved application responsiveness. With this upgrade, the PC becomes much more Snappy and efficient.

Testing and Performance Evaluation

With all the upgrades completed, it's time to put this PC to the test. Firstly, let's assess the boot time. Taking around 18 seconds to boot up, the PC delivers a satisfactory result. Considering its age and the modifications made, it is not a particularly sluggish machine. To further evaluate its performance, let's take a look at the Task Manager. Here, we can observe that the PC is capable of handling multiple processes without any significant performance issues. The CPU upgrade we made proves to be a worthwhile investment. Lastly, we run a benchmark test to gauge the PC's overall performance. With a rank of B and a score of 1,049,274, it is evident that the graphics capabilities are the limiting factor. Nevertheless, for everyday tasks, the PC performs admirably.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Toshiba Dynabook proved to be a worthy project for upgrades. With a modest purchase price and some strategic modifications, we have transformed it into a capable machine for everyday use. From better processing power to enhanced storage and the ability to watch Blu-ray discs, this PC now offers a range of functionalities beyond its initial capabilities. As we move forward into the New Year, let's keep pushing the boundaries of technology and make the most out of what we have. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I hope you found this adventure as enjoyable as I did. Don't forget to like and subscribe to our channel for more exciting content.