How Often Should You Replace Your Laptop?

Unfortunately, there are no set rules about how often you should replace your laptop. It is the type of question that you ask yourself every time something out of the ordinary happens.As a result, acknowledging the perfect moment to get a new laptop can be tricky even for the most technologically aware individual.

Unlike a desktop computer where you can easily access specific internal parts to upgrade, laptops are more difficult to deal with due to complex built-in components.

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Simply, there is not enough space to accurately remove parts and put them back in without damaging the laptop. Due to this, software installed on a laptop tends to become outdated quicker than that on a desktop. 

There are statistics suggesting that the average laptop should be replaced after four to five years of use.

However, there might be some situations where it’s possible for an individual to upgrade an existing laptop with new, compatible software – regardless of its age – instead of purchasing an entirely new one altogether.

After all, who wants to spend extra money if it is not completely necessary?

Losing Functionality 

There are some universal telltale signs that show that your laptop is losing its functionality – which immediately draws your attention to the fact that it either needs to be updated or replaced.

Screen quality is one of the first things to be impacted. Though it may once have been clear and sharp, the screen may begin to look fuzzy and distorted as the software becomes too much for the laptop to handle. 

Another vital observation of a laptop on the brink of needing to be replaced stems from a slow start up system caused by a memory overload. If the laptop takes a while to turn on and load relevant programs, you can try to upgrade the RAM and the hard drive before contemplating a replacement product.

This would be effective not only because they are the easiest and most cost-effective ways of enhancing performance, but also because an increased memory space means the laptop will be able to process data more effectively. 

However, there are a few issues associated with upgrading memory on a laptop instead of simply replacing it.

One of the most important things to remember is that all computers store large quantities of data, meaning that the risk of downtime is greatly increased on older laptops as more content is directly stored on there.

There is also a greater risk of data being lost, which is why upgrading and backing up your data is essential, regardless of the age of your laptop. 

Finally, if you are able to recognize any significant performance issues with your laptop, it is most likely time to get a replacement, especially if it impacts your personal life at either work or school.

Taking Care Of Your Tech

Another important factor to consider when establishing when to replace your laptop is the maintenance work that has been carried out. In some rare instances, laptops have been known to last for up to eight years without crashing.

This tends to occur only if the internal systems of the laptop have been meticulously looked after, which could stem from something as simple as keeping it plugged in with the correct power adapter to preserve battery life.

A long laptop life could also be a result of thorough external cleaning, including frequently wiping both the keyboard and touchpad after each use.

Good laptop maintenance like this will not only help to prevent system issues that may further damage the hard drive, but will also increase the general usability of the laptop. 

Does The Model Matter?

The make and model of a laptop plays a vital part in terms of how often it will need to be replaced.

Every individual laptop will lose power over time as critical life functions are compromised by old software, but the model and design still play a large role in allowing for complete optimization.

There are many factors that can affect the life of your laptop, but some of them can be easily avoided through proper maintenance. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you keep your laptop up to date to maintain its quality for as long as possible. 

A lower-end budget laptop is generally much harder to run and maintain and will need to typically be replaced every three to four years. After this time frame, it becomes more difficult to find and install relevant supporting software – ensuring a decrease in the performance level and overall quality. 

The life spans of cheaper laptops can also be slightly extended if the conventional hard drive can be replaced with a solid-state drive (SSD) but generally, three years appears to be the average time between getting a new laptop and having to replace it.

You can increase this time frame if your laptop performs well, remains in good shape, and has no impending hardware failures, but this is very uncommon in laptops of a specific age.

As for laptops that are frequently used for business purposes, they to wear out earlier than those used for leisure. 

However, more expensive models – Apple products, especially – are purposefully designed to withstand a variety of uses. Built for dependability, they tend to last between five and seven years, respectfully.

With highly reliable battery life and a well-designed operating system, it is no wonder so many people are willing to part with their money for a MacBook!

Summary

Realistically, you should aim to replace your laptop every three to five years to ensure it does not unexpectedly shut down and delete any of your important data. This also depends on its make, model and functionality.

By maintaining updates, minimizing risk of viruses and deleting unused software, you can create a space where newer software has room to thrive.

However, using and operating an older laptop does not come without its own risks.

When searching for a replacement, it is therefore important to thoroughly carry out research to figure out which laptop model is the most sturdy and will last for a longer period of time.