Upgrading the A315-21-99E5 . . .

Saw that a u.s.-based big box store is offering the A315-21-99E5 (for even 50cdn less than acer store), up here in Canada.

Whenever I peruse possible new laptop I always flip it (carefully) up to view it's bottom ..... lo 'n behold this unit has access panels over the ram and presumably the HDD space.

Has anyone opened up their unit yet [after warranty period is finished of course

] to upgrade either of those components.
According to the acer online specs the ram is upgradable to 12gb, but is thaat true ? Or have you found the stock piece soldered in ?

And is the HDD 'upgradable' to a SSD ? maybe even dual setup ?

Maybe I should drop back to the vendor with handy electronics screwdriver and ask to open the demo so i can see for self LOL

Possibly easier and less time consuming to ask on this forum than searching for manual . . . . which may not have the latest actual manufactured specs (dos/don'ts)

Thanks for your time any info !

dougc

Accepted answers

AceFan

For demos on upgrading your system, you should look on Youtube if there are any videos for your specific model. Words like upgrade and teardown are often used on Youtube when opening up a system.

Crucial is usually accurate in identifying what can be upgraded. The prices are often high and I buy somewhere else though. Here is the link to your build: http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Acer/aspire-a315-21

From this info from Crucial, I presume 1 4GB RAM slot is soldered while the other can be upgraded to up to 8GB. For a total of 12 GB of RAM.

As for the hard disk. Doesn't look like there is an M.2 slot. But it can be upgraded with an SSD SATA 2.5 inch.

All comments

AceFan

For demos on upgrading your system, you should look on Youtube if there are any videos for your specific model. Words like upgrade and teardown are often used on Youtube when opening up a system.

Crucial is usually accurate in identifying what can be upgraded. The prices are often high and I buy somewhere else though. Here is the link to your build: http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Acer/aspire-a315-21

From this info from Crucial, I presume 1 4GB RAM slot is soldered while the other can be upgraded to up to 8GB. For a total of 12 GB of RAM.

As for the hard disk. Doesn't look like there is an M.2 slot. But it can be upgraded with an SSD SATA 2.5 inch.

dougc

Thanks Ace' !!

FYI (anyone)
_Wheeeen I did try the acer "drivers and manuals" search field page .... input the model number which is one of the stated options .... it came back "serial number not found" duuuuh LOL !

_Interesting coincidence when i started (by googling) for info on this unit, the big box store page popped up and under that was a specs page and reviews...... also with majority of negative reviews. I went back an hour later and even now was told "No results were found. " LOL did corp. pull the unit off their warehouse shelves less than half day seeing it in store ... will find out next week, since not a priority to make a special trip.

dougc

Commodore_1995#

This model has entry for ssd m2 2280 sata III with key B and M!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/2g/dwegk9pj1hmt.png

Commodore_1995#

Here are the specs of ram:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/je/uuvo1xo6igux.png

dougc

"This model has entry for ssd m2 2280 sata III with key B and M"

that pic does not match the actual configuration of what I saw for access panels on the bottom. Your pic is showing exposed circuitry after the entire bottom shell has been removed.

Flipped over on its top this unit regards this thread,
... the ram access panel was to the left middle and the HDD panel (decent size) was upper right, unless they built-in a second ram 'port' under the HDD access panel as shown in your pic ! And usually ram 'slots' are positioned together.

nite
dougc

Commodore_1995#

Confirme com estas imagens:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/ww/mlfnjhcalooi.png

dougc

Si !

Hmmmm, It looks like Acer have a SSD/M2 space, hidden under the bottom shell ?
Not accessible by just popping the ram access panel.

So (if so inclined) ya would have to 'play' very carefully with screws and your plastic pry tools to pop the shell off .... after warranty period lapses of course