RAM, SSD and Wi-Fi Upgrades in Ottawa
Swap the old hard drive for an SSD, add memory, or fit a faster Wi-Fi card. Most slow laptops and desktops feel new again for far less than a replacement, and we check for soldered RAM before you buy anything.
SSD upgrade $70 + drive · RAM install $50 + memory · Free compatibility check
If your computer takes minutes to start and freezes when you open a few tabs, the cause is usually an old spinning hard drive or too little memory. An SSD upgrade is the single biggest speed-up you can buy, and extra RAM fixes the sluggishness that comes from running out of it.
Not every machine can be upgraded, and we'll tell you if yours can't. Some laptops have soldered RAM that can't be replaced, and some are so old the money is better spent elsewhere. We check your exact model first, and you get a firm price and what to expect before you buy any parts.
Upgrades We Do
Hard drive to SSD upgrade
Replace a slow hard drive with an SSD, reinstall Windows fresh and move your files across so nothing is lost.
RAM upgrade
More memory for multitasking, browsing with many tabs, and running heavier programs, matched to what your machine supports.
Storage upgrade
A bigger SSD when you've run out of space, with your data cloned over.
Soldered RAM laptops
We tell you if the RAM is soldered and what your options are, rather than sell you something that won't fit.
Desktop and gaming PC upgrades
Additional drives, memory kits and NVMe SSDs installed and configured correctly.
Old laptop revival
A tune-up, SSD and fresh install that gives a five-to-eight-year-old machine several more years.
Wi-Fi card and Bluetooth upgrades
A newer Wi-Fi 6 or 6E card or adapter for a computer that's slow on Wi-Fi when everything else in the house is fast.
Laptop RAM Upgrades: Lenovo, HP and Dell
Lenovo: many IdeaPad models have part of their memory soldered to the board plus one free slot, so they can be upgraded, but only by adding to that slot. Legion gaming laptops usually have two slots. ThinkPads vary by series and generation, so the exact model number matters.
HP: Pavilion and Victus laptops usually have two memory slots and upgrade easily. Many slim Envy and Spectre models have soldered memory that can't be changed. We check before you buy anything.
Dell: Inspiron and G15 gaming laptops usually take standard memory sticks. XPS 13 memory is soldered. Other XPS and Latitude models vary by year, so send us the service tag or model and we'll confirm.
Wi-Fi Card and Bluetooth Upgrades
If phones and newer devices in the same room get fast Wi-Fi but one older computer crawls, its Wi-Fi hardware is usually the bottleneck, not the router. A new Wi-Fi 6 or 6E card, such as Intel's AX210, also brings newer Bluetooth, and costs far less than a new computer.
Desktops take a PCIe card or a USB adapter. Many laptops have a replaceable M.2 Wi-Fi card, but some older HP and Lenovo models only accept approved cards and some thin laptops have Wi-Fi soldered on, so we check your exact model before you buy anything.
Can a MacBook's RAM Be Upgraded?
Not on any current MacBook. On Apple silicon MacBooks (M1 and later) the memory is part of the chip, and on Retina MacBook models from about 2012 onwards it's soldered to the board. Only older non-Retina MacBooks have memory slots.
What still helps a MacBook that's struggling is freeing up storage, trimming login items and background apps, and fixing a half-finished macOS update. Our Mac repair service covers all of that.
From First Message to Fixed
Step 1: Send the model number
Message the make and model, or a photo of the label on the bottom. We check what it supports.
Step 2: Firm quote and parts advice
We tell you exactly which parts to buy (or source them) and give you a firm price before any work.
Step 3: Upgrade, migrate, test
We install the parts, move your data and settings, and test that it's faster before it comes back to you.
What Upgrades Cost
| Compatibility check & advice | Free |
| SSD upgrade + fresh Windows + data migration | $70 + drive |
| RAM upgrade & installation | $50 + memory |
| Desktop, NVMe or multi-drive upgrades | Quoted after model check |
| Wi-Fi card or adapter installation | Quoted upfront |
Parts are priced by the retailer and depend on your model. We tell you the exact part before you buy. See full pricing.
RAM, SSD & Wi-Fi Upgrades FAQs
How much does an SSD upgrade cost in Ottawa?
Our labour is $70 for the SSD upgrade with a fresh Windows install and data migration, plus the drive itself. We'll tell you which drive suits your machine.
How much does a RAM upgrade cost?
$50 for installation plus the memory. The memory price depends on your machine, and we confirm exactly what it takes before you buy.
Can my laptop's RAM be upgraded?
It depends on the exact model: some laptops have free memory slots, some have part of the memory soldered plus one slot, and some have all of it soldered. Send us the make and model number and we'll tell you what yours supports and which memory to buy.
Is my laptop good enough for AI coding tools or virtual machines?
For cloud AI tools like Claude Code, Codex or Copilot, almost any recent laptop is fine. Virtual machines and local AI models need more: 16 GB of RAM and an SSD make a big difference. We check what your laptop can take and whether an upgrade is worth it.
Can I upgrade my laptop's Wi-Fi card?
Often, yes. Many laptops have a replaceable M.2 Wi-Fi card, but some only accept approved cards and some have Wi-Fi soldered to the board. Send the model and we'll confirm whether a newer card will work, or whether a small USB adapter is the better option.
Can I upgrade my laptop's CPU?
Almost never. Laptop processors are soldered to the motherboard. On desktops it's sometimes possible within the same socket and chipset, usually with a BIOS update first. We'll tell you whether it's worth it compared with an SSD or RAM upgrade.
Can you upgrade soldered RAM?
Generally no. Soldered memory is part of the board, and we won't promise something that isn't safe. We'll tell you upfront and suggest other options, like an SSD, that can still help.
Will I lose my files or programs?
No. We migrate your files and settings to the new drive, and we check that everything works before we return it.
Is it worth upgrading an old laptop?
Often yes, if it is otherwise in good condition. An SSD alone can transform a machine for a fraction of the cost of a new one. If it is not worth it, we tell you.
Make a Slow Computer Fast Again
Send us the model number. We'll check the upgrade options and quote a firm price.