Can I still upgrade the SSD on an older laptop?
Often yes, sometimes no, and on very thin laptops almost never. An SSD upgrade can buy 2 more years of life for a few hundred euros.
Try this first
- 1Check the manufacturer's service manual for whether the SSD is replaceable. M.2 NVMe usually yes; soldered storage (Apple and some ultra-thins): no.
- 2Windows: clone the old SSD with a free clone tool like Veeam Agent Free or Clonezilla (open-source), or do a clean install and restore from OneDrive. Clean is calmer.
- 3Check if your model has 1 or 2 NVMe slots. A second slot means upgrade without migration.
- 4Under 4 years old with a decent CPU and 16+ GB RAM: SSD upgrade still makes sense. Older or weaker: buy a replacement.
When to bring us in
We do a clone or clean migration including BitLocker rebind and license check. Saves an evening and risk of data loss.
See also
- Should we buy or lease laptops as a 5-person company?Both work. Lease is predictable but pricier over the term; buying needs cash and your own depreciation. The difference is mostly admin.
- Is buying refurbished smart or asking for trouble?For office work fine, if from a serious vendor with warranty and a clean OS install. The trap is shady marketplace listings.
- How much RAM and SSD for office work in 2026?Rule of thumb for knowledge work: 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD as a comfortable minimum. 8 GB already feels tight; 32 GB is for heavy tools.
None of the above fits?
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Or skip the DIY entirely
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