Laptop upgrade: what can be improved?

Patriot Viper Steel SO-DIMM DDR4 is a shortened laptop format RAM. Also used in some minicomputers that use horizontal SO-DIMMs instead of vertical DIMM memory slots. In terms of bandwidth, DDR4 laptop memory is in no way inferior to a similar desktop one. But low-voltage DDR4L has a narrow 2x16-bit bus instead of 64-bit.

The Viper Steel SO-DIMM DDR4 series includes only individual modules from 8 to 32 GB, with a frequency of 2400 to 3200 MHz. Moreover, the intermediate version at 3000 MHz turned out to be the fastest. Because it has lower timings (delays) than 3200 MHz with standard JEDEC timings (CL18 vs CL22). In addition, two auto-acceleration profiles are sewn into it at the factory at once - with lower and higher timings, so that it will start up for sure.

Another thing is that most laptops, with the possible exception of flagship gaming ones, do not allow either activating the factory XMP profile or manually overclocking the memory (by increasing the frequency or lowering the timings). However, the Patriot company positions Viper Steel as a purely gaming solution. The 3000-MHz version works, by the way, at a slightly increased voltage - 1.25 V, against the typical 1.2 V for SO-DIMM DDR4. Fortunately, thin metal heatsinks are provided.

Neo Forza ZION NFS01 - Despite the introduction of fast M.2 PCIe 3.0 SSDs, and then ultra-fast PCIe 4.0 SSDs, the classic 2.5-inch SATA3 SSDs are still relevant. They are still significantly cheaper than their M.2 counterparts, especially if we talk about large volumes (a terabyte or two). The main thing is that the laptop has an appropriate 2.5-inch slot.

In terms of sequential read and write speeds (560 and 420 MB / s, respectively), the ZION NFS01 is about four times faster than laptop hard drives. And in terms of processing speed, the smallest 4K blocks, which is measured in IOPS (input-output operations per second) - almost a hundred times. It is this indicator that directly affects the speed of loading the operating system, as well as the launch time of applications and games.

Inside is the Silicon Motion SM2258XT controller. On the one hand, it does not know how to work with a separate RAM cache chip, although it has a small integrated buffer. On the other hand, it is only compatible with durable 3D TLC flash memory, which means you don’t have to worry about getting a less durable QLC. On sale there are two modifications of SSD: 960 and 1024 GB. The first 64 GB is reserved for service needs, so the disk will last even longer, and the second gives the user access to the full volume.

Cablexpert A-CM-COMBO9-01 is a multifunctional USB hub or, more precisely, a laptop docking station with nine types of ports and connectors (and taking into account their duplication, there are as many as 14 pieces). In parallel, it doubles as a laptop stand, which improves air intake from the bottom and raises the keyboard for more comfortable typing. The body of the device is made of metal, on top of which soft rubber feet are glued so that the laptop does not slip.

Connects to laptop via USB Type-C cable. On the opposite side, there is a similar Type-C output for connecting a Power Delivery 2.0 charger with a power of up to 60 W (supplied with a laptop, not a hub). There are five full-size USB Type-A ports available: two slow 2.0 (480 Mbps) and three fast 3.0 (5 Gbps). There are also two more Type-C outputs for data transfer.

There are two video interfaces: analog VGA, which supports monitors with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, and digital HDMI, which can 1080p at 120 Hz or 4K at 30 Hz. In addition, a 3.5 mm MiniJack audio output, a gigabit Ethernet network card and a card reader for SD / microSD drives are available. Also in the Cablexpert range there is an A-CM-COMBO5-01 docking station with slightly less functionality, which is significantly cheaper and, most importantly, more compact.

The Xtrfy K5 Compact is a mechanical keyboard in the smallest 65% format that still retains separate cursor movement arrow keys. Whereas even more compact 60% models are already devoid of arrows. It has a removable bezel that allows the user to choose between classic and skeleton designs. In addition, the frame is made of translucent plastic, through which the RGB lighting breaks through.

The Swedish manufacturer calls the K5 Compact "the most modifiable gaming keyboard in the world." And you can really replace any components to taste. The aforementioned frame, switches, stabilizers, keycaps and even a USB cable, for example, on a spiral a la old wired phone. You can also change the Xtrfy logo badge to one printed on a 3D printer with your gaming nickname.

Switches used are linear Kailh Red without sound and tactile feedback. The resource is declared not typical 50, but increased 70 million clicks, so apparently this is an updated revision of the switches. Stabilizers are lubricated at the factory for less noise and smoother clicks. So what are the benefits of a compact keyboard? It fits the width of a laptop, fits easily into a backpack and leaves plenty of room on the table for a mouse run.

nJoy Shed 625 - mobile power banks, even with support for fast charging 15 - 30W, are not able to recharge a laptop that requires 45 - 90W power. In addition, not all laptops can be charged via USB Type-C, the vast majority of models still need a 220 V socket. An uninterruptible power supply, like nJoy Shed 625, comes from sunny Romania.

This line-interactive UPS has as many as five classic Schuko sockets with grounding, which allows it to be used as a voltage regulator for all home or office electronics. Voltage drops up to 170 V or surges up to 280 V - all this is smoothed out without problems. Lightning protection is also implemented for the RJ-45 Internet cable and coaxial TV antenna.

The built-in battery power of the nJoy Shed 625 is 375 watts. With a 100% load, the battery lasts only 1 minute of operation. But this is enough to manually or automatically, using the nJoy proprietary application, put the computer in a state of hibernation, thereby saving the entire workflow. A laptop with a power of 45 W can be charged for an entire hour, during which time its battery will be filled by more than half, which is then enough for 2 to 3 hours of battery life.