Hello iFixit Community, I’m considering upgrading my HP Pavilion 15-p series laptop and would like to know if it’s...

Hello iFixit Community, I have an HP Pavilion 15-p series laptop (model 15-p243sa) and am encountering a few issues with...

You're absolutely right—most modern laptops, especially those made after 2013, have their CPUs soldered to the motherboard, making upgrades virtually impossible. This is especially true for high-performance mobile workstations like the ZBook, Precision, and P series, which use specialized components like mobile Xeon processors and require significant cooling systems due to their higher TDP. These machines are in a different league compared to entry-level models like the HP Pavilion 15-p, both in terms of performance and price. While the allure of a Xeon/FirePro setup with a high-end 4K display is strong, it’s important to remember that these systems come at a premium, whether new or used. Even finding a deal on a used ZBook with such specs often means compromising on something, like dealing with an unknown BIOS password or other potential issues. It’s a trade-off between getting top-tier performance and handling the challenges that come with it. If you can find one at a reasonable price and are prepared...

It sounds like your screen might be starting to fail, especially since you've already tried updating the BIOS and performing a factory reset without success. The dark spot in the top corner could indicate an issue with the backlight or the display itself. Unfortunately, if the issue persists and you've exhausted software solutions, replacing the screen might be the next step. As for disassembling the screen, it’s generally doable, but you’ll want to be cautious. You can find replacement screens for your model online, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the part number. While ifixit may not have a specific guide for your model, you can usually find video tutorials for similar HP Pavilion models that can guide you through the process. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, you might want to take it to a professional repair service. Hopefully, this helps, and good luck with your repair!

Yes, you can upgrade your HP Pavilion 15-p002la to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi adapter. The current Realtek RTL8723BE adapter only supports 2.4 GHz, but you can replace it with a dual-band adapter that supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. A compatible option would be the Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 or similar. Just make sure to check your laptop’s service manual for any specific requirements or restrictions, such as a whitelist of compatible Wi-Fi cards, before purchasing the new adapter.

It sounds like you're dealing with a laptop that's nearing the end of its useful life, especially given the performance issues with the A10-4655 APU, the lack of TPM for Windows 11 compatibility, and the recurring disk errors. Replacing the hard drive with an SSD could significantly improve the laptop's performance and extend its usability until its end of life in 2025, but given the potential challenges with the hard drive replacement process and the laptop's overall limitations, it might be worth discussing with the owner whether it's better to invest in a new machine now rather than patching up an aging system. If you do proceed with the SSD replacement, it could be a good weekend project that should help with the current performance issues, but it's also important to weigh this against the possibility of other components failing as the laptop continues to age.

Yes, it's usually possible to replace just the screen on your HP Pavilion 15-P005AX. The process is fairly straightforward if you're comfortable with handling laptop repairs, and you can find replacement screens online for a reasonable price, typically between $50 to $100. If you're not confident in doing it yourself, you might want to consider taking it to a professional repair service, but that will add to the cost.