Since remote work has become the norm, the need to have a personal computer has never been more important. A computer, whether a desktop or laptop, has become a necessity today. However, the longer you stick with your computer, the more issues you experience down the road.
Everyone encounters the occasional issue with their computer that often requires a simple restart to fix. Sometimes, though, the little inconveniences you experience with your computer are telltale signs of bigger problems with your device.
The concern of many is that upgrading to a newer, better laptop can be expensive. Sometimes, these are worthwhile investments, such as buying a laptop with better specs for video editing needs or even setting up your own gaming laptop (which has a wealth of advantages aside from a better gaming experience!). Other times, it feels like an unnecessary expense. So, when should you really replace your laptop?
How Long Do Laptops Last?
There are a few factors that dictate how long your laptop may last. Here are some to consider:
- The type of laptop you own (consumer, business, or gaming)
- The brand of your laptop
- What you use your laptop for (video editing, graphic design, office work, etc.)
- How you take care of your laptop
- How regularly do you take it for maintenance
On average, laptops last for around four years. This feels like a concise time, but considering the speed at which software updates and other innovations occur now, it is a pretty reasonable time for a laptop to last. Still, depending on how well you maintain your laptop and how good its specs are, it could last you longer.
Signs That Your Laptop Needs Replacing
Aside from the years, you have owned your laptop, performance issues are signs that it’s time to upgrade. Take note of these common ones.
1. You Can’t Update It Anymore.
When your operating system makes new updates available, are your device’s system requirements still compatible with the minimum requirements? If you can’t update your system anymore, then it’s time to find a replacement.
Don’t just look at your operating system, too. Having an old laptop keeps you from enjoying the latest applications, which means you may not have the safest and most reliable versions installed.
Security is another important aspect to look at. If your VPNs and antivirus software don’t work with your laptop anymore, it puts your personal and works information at risk, so it is another reason to upgrade.
2. The Laptop Is Significantly Slower Now.
Does your laptop take a stressfully long time to start and shut down? This could be a sign that your computer is already struggling to keep functioning or that too many apps autoloading in the background are keeping your laptop from booting up immediately.
Another thing to look out for is when your laptop cannot multitask anymore. This means it takes too much time to load when two or more applications are open. Usually, this is a RAM issue, especially if you are using an application that uses a lot of memory, so it is best to upgrade to a laptop with better RAM if you use it for heavy tasks such as design and illustration or photo and video editing.
3. It Has A Shorter Battery Life.
Have you noticed that your laptop battery takes much quicker to drain now? Or worse, does your laptop always need to be plugged into work? These are signs that your device is already on its last legs.
Some laptops are built with detachable batteries. Replacing the battery can extend your laptop’s life for a year or two for a lower price. However, as laptops become more compact today, batteries have become built into the laptops and cannot be replaced easily if they conk out. This means that once your battery fails, it’s time for a replacement.
4. The Cost Of Replacement Is Cheaper Than Repair.
Anyone hoping to minimize expenses will look into repairing their laptop first when it encounters issues before considering purchasing a new one. However, there are times when a laptop is already so outdated that replacing it is cheaper than repairing it. Before bringing in your laptop for numerous repairs, compute the expenses and then assess the wisest decision for you.
If you choose to replace your laptop, remember that its life span largely depends on how well you take care of it. Keep operating systems and software updated and clean your device physically and virtually, and it can keep you company for longer.
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- Source: https://iotworm.com/how-to-know-if-your-laptop-needs-replacement/
