Notebook - Lenovo IdeaPad Z500 (Disassembly)

I've no idea why Lenovo called it IdeaPad and I've no idea why in world they doesn't allow access to the common parts like HDD & RAM.

Shouldn't the most common components/parts that are easily available for upgrades should be also easily accessible ?

I took a hard time trying to figure out how the heck to remove the back cover to access the RAM which I was trying to upgrade, fortunately with years of disassembly of notebooks around my belt I did managed to remove the cover and have access to the RAM.

I find it very ridiculous to go all the way to remove the back cover just to install/upgrade a RAM, why Lenovo can't think straight & just allow a particular section accessible by user for the upgrades (just like HP) ?  C'mon now in this era of technology, even my daughter knows how to handle a common upgrades... why Lenovo doesn't allow the access ?

Nevertheless, I'm not that easily discouraged person..... so here goes the :-

1. At the back cover of the notebook, there is hidden screws underneath the rubber stands.



 

All the screws including those hidden is highlighted here.

Hidden beneath the rubber stand.

 2. Before you can remove the back cover, there are more hidden screws located behind the keyboard.

Remove the keyboard, simple peel from the each sides carefully.

Remove screws as highlighted here.

3. Now you can remove the ODD (Optical Disc Drive) or more commonly known DVDRW drive. Removing the drive will disclose more hidden screws.

The ODD after removed.

 

More hidden screws.

 

 4. Then you need to carefully remove the back cover, you must be very careful at this stage as not to break any of its interlock mechanism, else you will find it difficult to secure the cover back.

5. Once the cover is removed, it will revealed the mainboard. I took the liberty to label each common components in case that someone might need to change/upgrade other components as well.

 6. This is the existing RAM 4GB found inside the notebook. Some how the label was not very helpful at all in determining the RAM's specifications, I've to googled again.

7. This is the new RAM I've bought from my trusted vendor in Plaza Low Yat, C-Zone shop. A Kingston 8GB PC3-12800 CL11 (2 pcs).

8. The RAM have been successfully installed and Windows is booting like normal, the new 16GB total RAM seems to be in effects immediately where Win8.1 is booting at a much faster rate than previous.

Seriously, its took me about 30-45 mins just to disassemble and assemble it back. Lenovo have to re-think or re-design their notebooks, especially for consumer models.

Come on guys (Lenovo), at the age and era of advanced technologies these common components can be simply upgraded without any hassles.

Happy Computing !