How to open HP EliteBook 860 G10 – disassembly and upgrade options

Ensure the HP EliteBook 860 G10 is powered off and placed on a soft, clean surface to prevent scratches or damage.
Remove the 5 captive Phillips-head screws from the bottom of the laptop.
Use a plastic tool to gently pry the bottom panel off, starting from one of the top two corners.

Hint: Be careful when prying to avoid damaging the internal clips or the laptop casing.

Step 2: Removing the Battery

Disconnect the battery by unplugging its connector from the motherboard.
Remove the four Phillips-head screws securing the battery to the laptop’s chassis, then lift the 51.3Wh battery away from the device.

Caution: Handle the battery and its connector with care to avoid any damage.

More info: The 51.3Wh battery offers up to 10 hours of web browsing or 9 hours and 5 minutes of video playback. An optional 76Wh variant is available for those requiring extended battery life.

Memory Upgrade

Locate the metal shrouds covering the memory slots.
Install up to 64GB of DDR5-4800MHz or 5200MHz RAM in dual-channel mode for enhanced performance. Note that while the memory sticks are rated at 5600MHz, they operate at a 5200MHz frequency due to system limitations.

Hint: Dual-channel configuration maximizes the performance potential of the installed memory.

You can buy DDR5 RAM modules here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Storage Upgrade

Identify the M.2 slot compatible with 2280 Gen 4 SSDs. Consider upgrading to a high-speed NVMe SSD to improve system responsiveness and storage capacity.
Note the placement of thermal pads on top and below the NVMe SSD for optimal thermal management.

You can buy Gen 4 M.2 SSD modules here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Step 3: Examining the Cooling System

Inspect the cooling system, which includes a single fan, a heat pipe, one top-mounted heat sink, and a heat spreader, designed to manage the thermal output efficiently.

More info: Despite its modest appearance, this cooling solution is effectively configured to ensure the laptop maintains optimal performance levels during usage.

A WWAN slot below the fan offers additional options for LTE or 5G connectivity.