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Based in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

Your local tech specialist for Apple, PC & Phone

Expert repairs, upgrades, and IT support for homes and businesses across Henley and the surrounding area.

Open Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm  ·  6 Hart Street, RG9 2AU
Email Us 01491 523100
Upgrades · 3 min read

The Best Upgrade for a Slow Computer

Swapping to an SSD is the single biggest speed boost you can give any PC or laptop. Here's why.

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If your computer is more than 4 years old and feels sluggish, there's a very good chance it has an old spinning hard drive (HDD). Replacing it with a solid state drive (SSD) is the most transformative upgrade you can make — and it's often cheaper than you think.

HDD vs SSD — the difference is night and day

  • Boot time: 2–3 minutes (HDD) → 10–20 seconds (SSD)
  • Opening large files: slow, clunky → instant
  • Running multiple programmes: sluggish → smooth
  • Noise: audible clicking/whirring → completely silent
  • Durability: fragile moving parts → shock resistant
  • Heat: runs warm → barely generates heat

Does my computer have an HDD or SSD?

On Windows 10/11, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), click the Performance tab, then Disk. If it says "HDD" you're missing out. If it says "SSD" you're already on the faster technology. Not sure? Bring it in and we'll check for free.

Do I lose all my files?

No — we clone your existing drive onto the new SSD, so all your files, programmes and settings are exactly as they were. You won't notice anything is different except that everything is much faster.

How much does it cost?

SSD upgrades typically cost £60–£120 for parts and fitting depending on the size of drive you need. For most people a 500GB or 1TB SSD is plenty. Contact us for a specific quote for your machine — it's almost always worth it compared to buying a new computer.

Ready to upgrade? Bring your laptop or desktop into 6 Hart Street, Henley-on-Thames or message us on WhatsApp →

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Laptop Repairs & UpgradesDesktop PC UpgradesWhy Is My Laptop Slow?

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