You bought a laptop a while back, and now you’re wondering when it’s time to replace it. Maybe you’re having a few issues with it, or maybe there are better options available now. The problem is, you’re not sure if you should replace the one you have or repair it.
How long do laptops last? What’s the expected lifespan of a laptop? How will you know when it’s time for a new one?
Unfortunately, there’s no one true answer to these questions. All laptops are different, and their laptop lifespan will vary depending on several factors, including the brand, the amount of money you put into it, and the way you cared for it over the years.
In the guide below, there are a few signs to look for that should point you in the direction of purchasing a new laptop. Continue reading below to find out if it’s the time to do so!
1. Your Laptop Runs Hot
You power your laptop on and get to work. As you’re using your laptop, you begin to feel a wave of heat protruding from it. It’s hot to the touch and starts to get noisy as well.
As your laptop ages, it may begin to have heat-related issues. Sometimes, these issues are due to your laptop being older and its components being placed under stress for an extended amount of time.
It might also depend on the quality of the laptop you have. If you have a cheaper laptop, then its cooling components might not be of high quality. Dust and dirt that build up inside your laptop can play a role in this as well.
If your laptop is fairly new, then you can try cleaning out the fans by taking it to a repair shop. If it’s older, however, then you may be better off replacing it.
2. It Won’t Power on
It’s the moment you dread. You press the power button to turn it on, and nothing happens. Is the laptop dead?
Does it need to be plugged in? After plugging it into its power source, waiting a few minutes, and then trying again, does it turn on? If not, then it might be an issue with the power cord.
You can always try replacing the power cord first. There are a few other troubleshooting tricks you can try to ensure the power issue isn’t a simple fix. The next step is taking it in for repairs.
Before making the repairs, consider how much it’ll cost and compare that to the age of the laptop. Is it worth it? Some power issues might be tied to problems with the motherboard and in that care are expensive.
Other power issues might be inexpensive, so it’s best to see what your options are. Once the holidays arrive, you can look into black friday laptop deals and possibly find a great deal on a new laptop that’s less expensive than fixing your current one.
3. The Screen Has Issues
A faulty screen can prevent you from using your laptop as you’d like. Is the screen constantly flickering? Did you drop the laptop and it now has other issues with the screen?
Maybe the screen’s cracked has a faulty section on it or has failed completely. You can take the laptop to a repair shop and have the display repaired. The cost of the repairs should determine if it’s worth repairing or not.
If the laptop is older and the cost to repair the display is high, then it might make more sense to purchase a new laptop.
4. The Built-in Keyboard Stops Working
If you use your laptop on a regular basis, then you’ll eventually wear down the keyboard. Some laptops have built-in keyboards. If your laptop’s keyboard isn’t built into it, then you may be able to fix the one or two keys giving you issues.
Otherwise, the process to fix a keyboard built into the laptop is much more complicated and might cost you more. If this is the case, then buying a new laptop could be the better choice.
Even if there are only one or two keys not working, it’s only a matter of time before other keys stop working as well. Because of this, it’s better to fix it sooner than later.
5. It Has a Dying Power Pack
When you first purchased your laptop, you were able to use it, unplugged, for several hours without issue. As time passed by, however, you were able to use it without the power cord for a lesser amount of time. Now, you may not be able to use your laptop for more than a few minutes before it powers off.
This is normal and due to the battery being charged repeatedly. A great solution would be to replace the battery. This is a good option for laptops with this capability.
Unfortunately, not all laptops have a replaceable battery. Some power packs are not easily replaceable, and you may need the manufacturer to do it. If the power pack isn’t easily replaceable, then do consider purchasing a new laptop.
You should also only charge the laptop after the battery has completely run out and then remove the power cord once charged to prevent this from happening again.
6. The Hard Drive Runs Slow
If your current laptop runs on a hard drive, then it could be a sign it’s time for an upgrade. Newer laptops use a solid-state drive (SSD) rather than a hard drive, which can cause your laptop to run slowly.
Making the switch from a hard drive to an SSD will improve the performance of your laptop all around. It’s also important to keep in mind that laptops can be dropped. If you use your laptop frequently and take it with you to multiple locations, then there’s a good chance you’ll drop it at least once if you haven’t already.
It happens. When it does happen, though, there’s a chance of damaging the hard drive. This is just another reason why you might want to make the switch.
If your laptop’s hard drive is running slow, then it’s time to consider buying a new one with an SSD instead.
7. Your Laptop Crashes
All computers run the risk of crashing. What causes a laptop to crash? Overheating is a common reason for a laptop crash.
Faulty hardware, viruses and malware, and driver conflicts are some other reasons why your laptop might crash. It’s a good idea to always back up your data in case a crash were to happen.
The reason why your laptop crashed will factor into your decision to either repair or replace it. If it’s something simple and inexpensive, then a repair might be the better option. Otherwise, a replacement might be best.
8. The Laptop Has Multitasking Issues
Do you have trouble multitasking on your laptop? When you try to open and run more than one program or application at a time, does your laptop lag or fail to multitask completely? When it has difficultly running more than one application at a time or switching between different tabs, it could be time to replace it.
Think about what you’re using your laptop for and if it has the right amount of RAM (random-access memory). Certain programs require a laptop with a specific amount of RAM. If this is the case, then you may need to upgrade your current one.
9. The Cost of Replacement Is Cheaper Than Repair
A good rule to follow is never to repair a laptop if the cost to replace it is cheaper than the cost to repair it. Before repairing it, make sure you know exactly what’s wrong with it and how much it’ll cost to repair it. You can take it to a few different repair shops and get a few estimates.
Be sure to do your research and know what laptops have the best deals and how much it’ll cost you for a new one. This information will help you make the best decision.
10. The Laptop Is Old
One of the last signs that it’s time for a new laptop is the age of your current one. If your laptop is several years old and having issues, then it’s most likely time to replace it. However, just because a laptop is old doesn’t mean you need a new one.
If the laptop you have is older but running fine with no issues of any kind, then you have a great computer, and there’s no need to replace it. Only replace an older laptop if it’s having multiple issues expensive to repair.
Still Wondering, “How Long Do Laptops Last?”
After reading through this post, you hopefully no longer have to ask the question, “how long do laptops last.” The answer depends on several different factors, and the decision to replace over repair will depend on different factors as well.
Use the helpful information and advice given in this guide below to make the best decision possible.
For more helpful posts similar to this one, be sure to visit on a regular basis!
Image Attribution:
Adobe Stock royalty-free image #198190780, ‘Playful man offering modern laptop’ uploaded by kegfire, standard license purchased from ; file retrieved on August 31st, 2019. License details available at – image is licensed under the Adobe Stock Standard License.