WORTH A READ... I have a HP Sleekbook-14 B120dx (My 1st own laptop, brought from my salary), which I bought brand new in 2013 from US to India (through an office colleague who went onsite). To date, the laptop is working (having completed 9 years now). I had been using it nicely and kept it well maintained all these years. Here's below the original configuration (Year: 2013)- 1. Core i3, 2nd gen. 2. 4 GB DDR3 RAM 3. 500 GB HDD 4. Windows 8 (pre-installed with OEM digital license) 5. Wifi adaptor card (no bluetooth) 6. 14 inch display Below are the Upgrades (Both software and hardware) I had done (Year wise)- 1. In 2014, got an official upgrade from windows 8 to Windows 8.1. Did it and got some new features in 8.1 (The best MS Windows according to me) >> Loved the 8.1 Update 2. In 2015, got an invite from Microsoft to get a free upgrade to Windows 10 (Global free Win 10 upgrade from Microsoft in July, 2015) >> Total disaster, hanging issues with HDD (Rolled back to Windows 8 with recovery disks and then updated to Windows 8.1) 3. In 2016, I got to know that my laptop motherboard had an empty mSATA SSD port (a rarity to see in laptop in those days, considering 2013 make). I read the user manual and got to know that this model belonged to ultrabook series (scaled down to Sleekbook without a SSD). I followed the instructions and learnt that this mSATA is for adding SSD upto 32 GB to use it as a caching device. I bought a 32 GB mSATA SSD and plugged it into the empty slot, found the option in BIOS to enable SSD caching under RAID options and enabled it. >> My sleekbook became an ultrabook with a physical SSD and blazing fast performance. 4. In 2018, I upgraded the RAM to 8 GB, by adding another 4 GB DDR3 in the empty slot (8 GB is the max as per HP recommendation and its true, I experimented with 4+8=12 GB, my laptop did not boot). So, finally upgraded from 4 GB to 8 GB RAM (I had set virtual memory in the PC settings to upto 24 GB) >> Huge difference in multi-application use, machine was working much better. 5. In 2019, I replaced the Wifi card with that of Atheros Wifi + Bluetooth combo adaptor (by referring to the manual for supported LAN cards) >> My laptop got Bluetooth functionality 6. In 2020, My laptop display broke due to my anger (verbal fight with parents on phone call) - I cried like anything, as this particular laptop was like my own family member. Could not do anything until lockdown. Once lockdown was over, I started to look for display. Did some study and bought a Sleekbook 14 (14 inch display from buysnip). The ordered display was of a different sub-model available in India. Took a risk to order it and to my surprise, it was a bang on direct fit on my machine. I would call it as an upgrade, as the original screen was a ordinary screen, this replaced screen was an anti-glare one. >> My laptop now had an anti-glare display 7. In 2020, I travelled back home after winding up my stuff and I still feel bad that I bought my office laptop with me and put my own loving laptop in the transport. It had to take some abuse in terms of shocks and finally when it arrived after 10 days being in transport. Luckily no physical damage, but the HDD was knocked out (several non repairable/recoverable bad sectors). So, replaced my 500 GB HDD to 1 TB Samsung EVO SATA SSD. (Installed Windows 8 with recovery disks and then updated to Windows 8.1). 8. Bought a digital Windows 10 Pro license from buydigitalkeys. The built-in OEM keys of my laptop was for Windows 8 Home. When I updated it to Windows 8.1/ 10 (It was digitally activated but for the same parent version- Home). Finally did a clean install of Win 10 Pro for the 1st time (As all previous installations were from recovery disks, which restored it to factory Windows 8 Home). >> My machine now has Win 10 Pro (Got the GP edit, RDP and Bit-locker functionalities which I was in need of) 9. Installed Ubuntu Linux on a separate partiton and it works like a charm, without any issues. Setup dual boot for Win 10 Pro and Ubuntu Linux 20.04.4 LTS >> My machine now has dual OS Here's below the updated configuration (Year: 2013 - 2022 and ongoing..)- 1. Core i3, 2nd gen >>> Same 2. 4 GB DDR3 RAM >>> 8 GB DDR3 3A. 500 GB HDD >>> 500 GB HDD + 32 GB mSATA SSD for caching 3B. 500 GB HDD + 32 GB mSATA SSD for caching >>> 1 TB SATA SSD + 32 GB mSATA SSD for caching 4. Windows 8 (pre-installed with OEM digital license) >>> Windows 10 Pro + Ubuntu Linux 20.04.4 LTS 5. Wifi adaptor card (no bluetooth) >>> Atheros Combo Wifi + Bluetooth 6. 14 inch display >>> 14 inch Anti-glare Display Besides, I had changed the battery thrice in 9 years. Kept my machine clean (I do clean it weekly). Keep my Norton AV updated, performance tune-ups for Win 10, periodically check and upgrade to the latest 10 build. Keep it clean from junk softwares as well. Final Outcome: My HP Sleekbook-14b120dx bought in 2013, can still outperform many laptops of today. Still has sufficient punch to run some good games, moderate programs to heavy home use. The specific HP Sleekbook 14 model is indeed sleek without an optical drive and with 14 inch display and real sleek design, the laptop also looks contemporary to modern laptops of today and looks thin and sexy! I just love my machine :-)
Greetings! My wife has an old Sleekbook 15 b001sh that I plan to upgrade just for the fun of it. I had no idea of the option to install a 32 GB mSATA SSD for caching. Thank you for your detailed description and thanks to Mirko Pacchioni for the video.
I've been trying very hard to save money, and despite my love of computers, I couldn't justify the cost of a new one. I installed a 1TB SSD, and sure enough, my Sleekbook is still competent enough to keep using in 2022. I'm honestly surprised it helped as much as it did given the age of the CPU in it.
If you cannot find the drivers from the official website you can use free software to download the missing drivers such as driver easy or snappy driver which allow you to update them or find the missing ones.
When you start the windows installation from the usb drive is the SSD visible? Is it recognized? Maybe you haven't connected it well, try to check and in any case when you boot from the usb drive it should start the procedure even if the disk is not connected.
WORTH A READ...
I have a HP Sleekbook-14 B120dx (My 1st own laptop, brought from my salary), which I bought brand new in 2013 from US to India (through an office colleague who went onsite).
To date, the laptop is working (having completed 9 years now). I had been using it nicely and kept it well maintained all these years.
Here's below the original configuration (Year: 2013)-
1. Core i3, 2nd gen.
2. 4 GB DDR3 RAM
3. 500 GB HDD
4. Windows 8 (pre-installed with OEM digital license)
5. Wifi adaptor card (no bluetooth)
6. 14 inch display
Below are the Upgrades (Both software and hardware) I had done (Year wise)-
1. In 2014, got an official upgrade from windows 8 to Windows 8.1. Did it and got some new features in 8.1 (The best MS Windows according to me) >> Loved the 8.1 Update
2. In 2015, got an invite from Microsoft to get a free upgrade to Windows 10 (Global free Win 10 upgrade from Microsoft in July, 2015) >> Total disaster, hanging issues with HDD (Rolled back to Windows 8 with recovery disks and then updated to Windows 8.1)
3. In 2016, I got to know that my laptop motherboard had an empty mSATA SSD port (a rarity to see in laptop in those days, considering 2013 make). I read the user manual and got to know that this model belonged to ultrabook series (scaled down to Sleekbook without a SSD). I followed the instructions and learnt that this mSATA is for adding SSD upto 32 GB to use it as a caching device.
I bought a 32 GB mSATA SSD and plugged it into the empty slot, found the option in BIOS to enable SSD caching under RAID options and enabled it. >> My sleekbook became an ultrabook with a physical SSD and blazing fast performance.
4. In 2018, I upgraded the RAM to 8 GB, by adding another 4 GB DDR3 in the empty slot (8 GB is the max as per HP recommendation and its true, I experimented with 4+8=12 GB, my laptop did not boot). So, finally upgraded from 4 GB to 8 GB RAM (I had set virtual memory in the PC settings to upto 24 GB) >> Huge difference in multi-application use, machine was working much better.
5. In 2019, I replaced the Wifi card with that of Atheros Wifi + Bluetooth combo adaptor (by referring to the manual for supported LAN cards) >> My laptop got Bluetooth functionality
6. In 2020, My laptop display broke due to my anger (verbal fight with parents on phone call) - I cried like anything, as this particular laptop was like my own family member. Could not do anything until lockdown. Once lockdown was over, I started to look for display. Did some study and bought a Sleekbook 14 (14 inch display from buysnip). The ordered display was of a different sub-model available in India. Took a risk to order it and to my surprise, it was a bang on direct fit on my machine. I would call it as an upgrade, as the original screen was a ordinary screen, this replaced screen was an anti-glare one. >> My laptop now had an anti-glare display
7. In 2020, I travelled back home after winding up my stuff and I still feel bad that I bought my office laptop with me and put my own loving laptop in the transport. It had to take some abuse in terms of shocks and finally when it arrived after 10 days being in transport. Luckily no physical damage, but the HDD was knocked out (several non repairable/recoverable bad sectors). So, replaced my 500 GB HDD to 1 TB Samsung EVO SATA SSD. (Installed Windows 8 with recovery disks and then updated to Windows 8.1).
8. Bought a digital Windows 10 Pro license from buydigitalkeys. The built-in OEM keys of my laptop was for Windows 8 Home. When I updated it to Windows 8.1/ 10 (It was digitally activated but for the same parent version- Home). Finally did a clean install of Win 10 Pro for the 1st time (As all previous installations were from recovery disks, which restored it to factory Windows 8 Home). >> My machine now has Win 10 Pro (Got the GP edit, RDP and Bit-locker functionalities which I was in need of)
9. Installed Ubuntu Linux on a separate partiton and it works like a charm, without any issues. Setup dual boot for Win 10 Pro and Ubuntu Linux 20.04.4 LTS >> My machine now has dual OS
Here's below the updated configuration (Year: 2013 - 2022 and ongoing..)-
1. Core i3, 2nd gen >>> Same
2. 4 GB DDR3 RAM >>> 8 GB DDR3
3A. 500 GB HDD >>> 500 GB HDD + 32 GB mSATA SSD for caching
3B. 500 GB HDD + 32 GB mSATA SSD for caching >>> 1 TB SATA SSD + 32 GB mSATA SSD for caching
4. Windows 8 (pre-installed with OEM digital license) >>> Windows 10 Pro + Ubuntu Linux 20.04.4 LTS
5. Wifi adaptor card (no bluetooth) >>> Atheros Combo Wifi + Bluetooth
6. 14 inch display >>> 14 inch Anti-glare Display
Besides, I had changed the battery thrice in 9 years. Kept my machine clean (I do clean it weekly). Keep my Norton AV updated, performance tune-ups for Win 10, periodically check and upgrade to the latest 10 build. Keep it clean from junk softwares as well.
Final Outcome: My HP Sleekbook-14b120dx bought in 2013, can still outperform many laptops of today. Still has sufficient punch to run some good games, moderate programs to heavy home use. The specific HP Sleekbook 14 model is indeed sleek without an optical drive and with 14 inch display and real sleek design, the laptop also looks contemporary to modern laptops of today and looks thin and sexy!
I just love my machine :-)
Greetings! My wife has an old Sleekbook 15 b001sh that I plan to upgrade just for the fun of it. I had no idea of the option to install a 32 GB mSATA SSD for caching. Thank you for your detailed description and thanks to Mirko Pacchioni for the video.
I've been trying very hard to save money, and despite my love of computers, I couldn't justify the cost of a new one. I installed a 1TB SSD, and sure enough, my Sleekbook is still competent enough to keep using in 2022. I'm honestly surprised it helped as much as it did given the age of the CPU in it.
Very useful video. Thank you!
You are welcome.
Where can I find the video drivers for this leptop? for Win10.. I couldn't find it on any website nor on the official HP.
If you cannot find the drivers from the official website you can use free software to download the missing drivers such as driver easy or snappy driver which allow you to update them or find the missing ones.
I have the same laptop, do you know if its possible to upgrade it's RAM from 8 to 16?
If I remember correctly it supports a maximum of 8 GB, you can check with programs like speccy how many slots are on the pc and how many are occupied.
Good video
Thank you.
I followed you b it it says no system boot😢
When you start the windows installation from the usb drive is the SSD visible? Is it recognized? Maybe you haven't connected it well, try to check and in any case when you boot from the usb drive it should start the procedure even if the disk is not connected.
which ssd is this ??
Crucial 250 GB.
@@mirkopacchioni4158 does my laptop support SSD? if yes then which type of ssd?, kindly reply, Model- HP sleekbook 15-b001tu
@@mirkopacchioni4158for hp pavilion sleekbook 15 b002ee , which is the best ssd and ram available for this model???
Nice video but Poor audio..