How long do laptops last? Do you have to replace your hardware every few years? What’s the best way to prolong a laptop’s life? If you’re asking these questions, you’re probably worried that your laptop needs to get replaced or that you want to preserve your laptop right from the start.
In this post, you’ll learn about the average lifespan of a laptop and what other factors affect how long it lasts.
What is the Average Lifespan of a Laptop?
Even if you’re asking for the average, there’s not one average that works across all laptops. Why? It’s because there are laptops for personal and business use. Different ranges (i.e., quality) also determine how long your laptop will last.
In general, a personal computer that is being moderately used lasts between 2-4 years. On the other hand, a business laptop that you use every day usually lasts 7 years. 7 years? That seems like a lot! This is expected of business laptops because they are made to last. However, it would often cost more than personal computers.
Factors that Determine a Laptop’s Lifespan
Three major factors determine how long your laptop will live. Here they are:
- The Hardware
The hardware determines how long your laptop will stay relevant. In other words, if your CPU was made ages ago, don’t expect it to last very long or at least keep up with the programs on your laptop. If you have a very slow laptop that immediately hangs whenever you click something, even if you have enough storage, then that’s a sign that your processor might be too outdated.
Your CPU is not the only one that has to be updated every few years. Other processors and parts like the GPU and the RAM also play a role in your laptop’s longevity. The better your GPU and CPU are, the longer they will last; the higher the RAM storage, the better it can handle tasks.
The quality of the hardware should also be taken into consideration here. Just because your CPU is powerful doesn’t mean that it was made with high quality. Most of the time, more reputable companies offer a higher quality make, so these laptops are better suited for the long-term.
- The Usage
How do you use your laptop? Where do you use it? For obvious reasons, a laptop being overused will last shorter as it has a higher rate of wear and tear. The less demanding the activities you do with your laptop, the more you preserve it. For example, if you only browse the internet and engage in social media activities, you won’t push your laptop to its limits.
On the other hand, if you are using it for games, multimedia production, and creation, you can expect a shorter life for your laptop. These activities are more demanding to your processors, not to mention if you overclock them all the time.
Don’t worry. If your laptop is built for games or multimedia use, then your hardware can withstand the demand much longer than a mid-range laptop. So when choosing a laptop, make sure you buy something that suits your needs.
- The Care
Lastly, how you take care of your laptop will significantly affect how long it will last. The most common reason for a laptop failure is a broken battery. To make it easier to understand, a battery loses its quality the more it charges. Over time, your battery’s capacity to store power will shorten, which results in more charges.
Overcharging and leaving your laptop on charge doesn’t solve this either. You must unplug your charger and let your laptop use the battery. You’d be amazed at how long your laptop will last when you take care of the battery.
It also helps if you clean your laptop. No, not the intensive cleaning, but more on wiping and dusting the keyboard, screen, etc. While laptops aren’t that sensitive to dirt, it’s essential that you keep them clean so that it doesn’t get moisture or dirt inside their components.
Tips for Making Your Laptop Last
How do you prolong your laptop’s life? Here are a few tips.
- Use it for the proper purposes.
The best way to care for your laptop is to use it only for the purpose it serves. Overclocking is only reasonable to some extent, but you should consider changing your CPU if you have to do it all the time. Overclocking shouldn’t be the norm for your laptop.
- Change power settings.
What’s great about the newer laptop models is that you can adjust the power settings. This means you can optimize your laptop to reduce its power at any given time. Some battery-saver options reduce your screen’s brightness, automatically put your laptop to sleep, and many more.
- Close programs that you are not using.
This is a straightforward way to lengthen your laptop’s life. It’s even pretty basic. If you’re not using a program, close it. Of course, you must ensure that you don’t need to fire it up again in the next few minutes. If you do, leave it there.
- Use your battery properly.
Lastly, don’t forget to use your battery properly. You’re not supposed to overcharge or drain it. Most lithium-ion batteries don’t need to be charged fully, so it’s best to get familiar with your laptop’s battery maintenance. It would also be good to track your battery’s health once in a while to gauge how good you are at prolonging its lifespan.
There are many ways to increase your laptop’s lifespan. It all comes down to your hardware, usage, and the kind of care you give it. To know more about your laptop’s maintenance, contact the manufacturer for some tips.
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