[pkstrategy]

Hello Everyone,

Total newb here when it comes to this machine. More so when it comes to Ubuntu. Anyway, two things I want to consider are upgrading the HDD (8GB SSD with only 4GB left, yikes!) and upgrading the memory. It has 1GB2 DDR2 Single Channel 533MHz and I was told that it cannot go higher than this, but I want it to be at least 2GB.

How do I get started? What do I need to know? Where to purchase?

Thanks for all the help!

[reflex]

Hello.

I have a Mini 9, which is only superficially different from your Vostro A90. Mine has a 4GB SSD, and I've upgraded the RAM to 2GiB.

As for space, a large SDHC card might satisfy your needs. I use a 8GB card to store media, while the 4GB SSD stores the OS and apps.

As for memory, just about any DDR2 laptop RAM will work. Your netbook has a single slot, 2GiB is the max module size, and 533MHz/PC2-4200 is the minimum speed the RAM should be. Faster RAM will work, too, just not at its full speed. My Mini 9 came with 800MHz RAM and now it has 667MHz RAM, but both only run at 533MHz in the Mini.

Upgrading the hardware in the Mini 9/Vostro A90 is easy. The SSD, WiFi, RAM, and WWAN/cellular Internet card (if present) are all under the access panel on the bottom. The RAM is just secured by spring-loaded tabs. The SSD is just secured by two screws. The hardest part of installing a SSD is reinstalling the OS and apps on the new drive, not the physical installation.

Good luck with whatever you do.