Laptop too old or is upgrade possible
Discussion
Ive got at Thinkpad X220 which I only use for watching Sky / TV etc whilst travelling for work. It came with windows 7 pro and ive upgraded it to windows 10 Pro 64bit
I generally connect the laptop to a TV in the hotel using HDMI cable.
Whilst using the skygo app, the laptop runs very slowly. Selecting channels / closing windows etc takes several seconds & the fan runs flat out all the time. Other TV apps don't seem to impact performance so much.
Spec is i5-2520M CPU @ 2.50GHz / 4GB RAM / SSD drive. Display adapter is intel HD graphics 3000.
So, is the laptop hardware so out of date that this is expected or would something like additional memory help? I don't need anything fancy or expensive because it gets regularly thrown around by airport security / in bags etc
I generally connect the laptop to a TV in the hotel using HDMI cable.
Whilst using the skygo app, the laptop runs very slowly. Selecting channels / closing windows etc takes several seconds & the fan runs flat out all the time. Other TV apps don't seem to impact performance so much.
Spec is i5-2520M CPU @ 2.50GHz / 4GB RAM / SSD drive. Display adapter is intel HD graphics 3000.
So, is the laptop hardware so out of date that this is expected or would something like additional memory help? I don't need anything fancy or expensive because it gets regularly thrown around by airport security / in bags etc
Spec wise that is ok for what you use it for.
If you can, open it up and give it a good clean. There will probably be a load of dust and dead skin filling it. The fans will thank you and it will run cooler (=faster). Depending how confident you are, even the thermal paste under the CPU/GPU heatsink could be replaced.
If you can, open it up and give it a good clean. There will probably be a load of dust and dead skin filling it. The fans will thank you and it will run cooler (=faster). Depending how confident you are, even the thermal paste under the CPU/GPU heatsink could be replaced.
Thanks. If the RAM upgrade is beneficial, I will certainly look in to it. Will it make a noticeable difference (i.e. is it worth spending the money given the laptop is only worth a few quid. The windows specs say 2GB min?)
@the_jackal - will definitely do this as its free and easy!
633Squadron - I stand to be corrected but I don't believe you can stream from say SkyGo apps on an ipad to a TV using HDMI?
@the_jackal - will definitely do this as its free and easy!
633Squadron - I stand to be corrected but I don't believe you can stream from say SkyGo apps on an ipad to a TV using HDMI?
RAM upgrades are always beneficial.
Additionally, the minimum spec Microsoft recommend for Windows is the absolute bare minimum.
You can easily check if RAM is the issue - open task manager, and click on the 'Performance' tab.
In the left hand column, click on the Memory option.
Take a screenshot and upload it here so we can see how much RAM you have available (you should do this when you are using all th eapps you usually have open).
Additionally, the minimum spec Microsoft recommend for Windows is the absolute bare minimum.
You can easily check if RAM is the issue - open task manager, and click on the 'Performance' tab.
In the left hand column, click on the Memory option.
Take a screenshot and upload it here so we can see how much RAM you have available (you should do this when you are using all th eapps you usually have open).
Your memory usage is high, but the CPU @72% is not a good sign!
But then if Windows is performing a lot of 'swapping' due to low memory, the CPU usage could go up.
I would seriously consider upgrading to 8GB or even 16GB
Your laptop might have a single 4G SODIMM and a spare socket so you may get away with just buying a single 4GB stick.
Download Speccy which will tell you what RAM you have (including the type of DIMM you have).
But then if Windows is performing a lot of 'swapping' due to low memory, the CPU usage could go up.
I would seriously consider upgrading to 8GB or even 16GB
Your laptop might have a single 4G SODIMM and a spare socket so you may get away with just buying a single 4GB stick.
Download Speccy which will tell you what RAM you have (including the type of DIMM you have).
Iptv.
I messed about for years trying to get to watch my sky subscription while traveling with work. Its always been a nightmare, laptop takes forever to load the program, app always needs updating, trouble to watch abroad so you need to mess with a vpn. Can't screen mirror to a TV from tablet/phone etc. The list goes on.
I messed about for years trying to get to watch my sky subscription while traveling with work. Its always been a nightmare, laptop takes forever to load the program, app always needs updating, trouble to watch abroad so you need to mess with a vpn. Can't screen mirror to a TV from tablet/phone etc. The list goes on.
X220 will only take 8GB
I have just picked up a 2nd 4GB Stick for £9 on Ebay for a Family Member.
Unscrew the RAM Cover from the back and get an identical one.
In that one it was a Samsung M471B5273DH0-CH9
8GB and SSD. It runs very well.
Sold my own X220 on Ebay about 6 Months ago. Got £250 for it.
I have just picked up a 2nd 4GB Stick for £9 on Ebay for a Family Member.
Unscrew the RAM Cover from the back and get an identical one.
In that one it was a Samsung M471B5273DH0-CH9
8GB and SSD. It runs very well.
Sold my own X220 on Ebay about 6 Months ago. Got £250 for it.
TonyRPH said:
Your memory usage is high, but the CPU @72% is not a good sign!
But then if Windows is performing a lot of 'swapping' due to low memory, the CPU usage could go up.
I would seriously consider upgrading to 8GB or even 16GB
Your laptop might have a single 4G SODIMM and a spare socket so you may get away with just buying a single 4GB stick.
Download Speccy which will tell you what RAM you have (including the type of DIMM you have).
Thanks for your help - speccy does indeed say I have a spare slot. It looks like the X220 can only take max 8GB (edit - sorry imck, only just saw your post) so I will buy an extra 4GB and see if it makes much difference. I assume I should match the type/speed already in the machine if possible?But then if Windows is performing a lot of 'swapping' due to low memory, the CPU usage could go up.
I would seriously consider upgrading to 8GB or even 16GB
Your laptop might have a single 4G SODIMM and a spare socket so you may get away with just buying a single 4GB stick.
Download Speccy which will tell you what RAM you have (including the type of DIMM you have).
imck said:
X220 will only take 8GB
I have just picked up a 2nd 4GB Stick for £9 on Ebay for a Family Member.
Unscrew the RAM Cover from the back and get an identical one.
In that one it was a Samsung M471B5273DH0-CH9
8GB and SSD. It runs very well.
Sold my own X220 on Ebay about 6 Months ago. Got £250 for it.
Thanks. I'm amazed that it is worth that though, I bought this one refurb years ago for way less than that!I have just picked up a 2nd 4GB Stick for £9 on Ebay for a Family Member.
Unscrew the RAM Cover from the back and get an identical one.
In that one it was a Samsung M471B5273DH0-CH9
8GB and SSD. It runs very well.
Sold my own X220 on Ebay about 6 Months ago. Got £250 for it.
FuzzyLogic said:
Thanks for your help - speccy does indeed say I have a spare slot. It looks like the X220 can only take max 8GB (edit - sorry imck, only just saw your post) so I will buy an extra 4GB and see if it makes much difference. I assume I should match the type/speed already in the machine if possible?
It's best to match what you have. Faster RAM is ok too.FuzzyLogic said:
Thanks. I'm amazed that it is worth that though, I bought this one refurb years ago for way less than that!
Me too!!. Mine was sold with a Dock.I had a couple of people bidding each other up.
I paid about £150 for a 4GB with Standard HDD 3-4 Years ago.
Great little Laptop and have a bit of a following.
FuzzyLogic said:
Ive got at Thinkpad X220 which I only use for watching Sky / TV etc whilst travelling for work. It came with windows 7 pro and ive upgraded it to windows 10 Pro 64bit
I generally connect the laptop to a TV in the hotel using HDMI cable.
Whilst using the skygo app, the laptop runs very slowly. Selecting channels / closing windows etc takes several seconds & the fan runs flat out all the time. Other TV apps don't seem to impact performance so much.
Spec is i5-2520M CPU @ 2.50GHz / 4GB RAM / SSD drive. Display adapter is intel HD graphics 3000.
So, is the laptop hardware so out of date that this is expected or would something like additional memory help? I don't need anything fancy or expensive because it gets regularly thrown around by airport security / in bags etc
As others have said, the issue is really with the Sky Go app. My Thinkpad 550 I used when consulting had an ssd, 16gb ram and with nothing else running Sky Go still wasn’t really useable. I generally connect the laptop to a TV in the hotel using HDMI cable.
Whilst using the skygo app, the laptop runs very slowly. Selecting channels / closing windows etc takes several seconds & the fan runs flat out all the time. Other TV apps don't seem to impact performance so much.
Spec is i5-2520M CPU @ 2.50GHz / 4GB RAM / SSD drive. Display adapter is intel HD graphics 3000.
So, is the laptop hardware so out of date that this is expected or would something like additional memory help? I don't need anything fancy or expensive because it gets regularly thrown around by airport security / in bags etc
My solution was to go to the hotel bar rather than sit in my room watching tv...
FuzzyLogic said:
Ive got at Thinkpad X220 which I only use for watching Sky / TV etc whilst travelling for work. It came with windows 7 pro and ive upgraded it to windows 10 Pro 64bit
Windows 10 spy and bloatware is not an upgrade.https://www.techradar.com/news/new-windows-10-upda...
If that's all you use it for, run Linux Mint from a thumb drive and see if you like it.
https://www.pendrivelinux.com/run-linux-mint-9-fro...
The spec for your use is fine, but I would upgrade the RAM to 8GB (ensure you get another 4GB stick that matches your current one). Take off as much of the case as you can easily and give it a blast of compressed air and then a hoovering to free the air ways. This will improve the cooling and allow the CPU to run at a faster speed. If the CPU gets over a certain temperature, it will throttle it's speed down to allow it to cool.
You already have an SSD which is good, but from your Task Manager screenshot it is very busy. I suspect this is due to Anti Virus, etc that has accumulated over the years it has been in service.
After upgrading the RAM, a wipe/format and fresh install of Windows + bare essential apps you need will make a huge difference. Don't bother with third party anti virus, Windows AV (Defender) is perfect adequate these days.
You already have an SSD which is good, but from your Task Manager screenshot it is very busy. I suspect this is due to Anti Virus, etc that has accumulated over the years it has been in service.
After upgrading the RAM, a wipe/format and fresh install of Windows + bare essential apps you need will make a huge difference. Don't bother with third party anti virus, Windows AV (Defender) is perfect adequate these days.
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