Articles • Laptops

How Often Should You Replace Your Laptop? (8 Common Signs)

by Jake Redman
Instance 1
Instance 1

Laptops, or portable computers, are a vital part of many modern lives. Whether you need to work or access files on the go or prefer a lightweight, flexible style of computer, laptops can be a great option. But, as with all tech, laptops can start to wear down over time and need to be replaced.  

So, if you are wondering 'how often should I replace my laptop?', we have plenty of advice below.  

Laptops Lifespan Explained 

The durability of a laptop depends on the strength of its parts and how well it is constructed; therefore, more expensive laptops tend to last longer. Budget models often last around three years on average, whereas high-end models typically last five years.  

Regular care and maintenance can increase the lifespan of your laptop, but there will come a time where your hardware does not support app or software updates.

silver laptop on a desk

How Often Should I Replace My Laptop?  

Knowing that your laptop will last between three and five years is good, but how do you know that its time has come? Your laptop will degrade over time due to various factors; here are some signs to watch out for. 

Outdated Hardware 

As tech moves at such a rapid pace, the hardware in your laptop will eventually be unable to support the latest updates to applications. Your laptop may start to struggle to run large applications and games that take a lot of energy to run. 

When your laptop starts to be unable to install the latest updates, you may need to consider buying a replacement.  

Laptop Quality 

A laptop’s quality depends on a variety of factors, including the type of laptop, brand, release date, and more. As mentioned above, a laptop should last between 3-5 years, depending on its quality. 

More expensive gaming laptops will last longer due to better build quality and more durable hardware. Cheaper laptops are harder to maintain and run over a longer period. 

Density of Task 

Not all digital tasks are equal; some actions take more effort for your laptop to execute. Tasks like video editing, video designing, and video games. Lighter tasks that are easier to execute include encoding, emailing, and browsing the web. If you are someone who regularly does high-effort digital tasks, like graphic design your laptop will not last as long.  

Care And Maintenance 

How you handle and maintain your laptop will affect its lifespan. For example, regular travelers that constantly move their laptop around and shove it in travel bags will often find that their laptop wears down faster than those who leave their laptop on their desk. 

Cleaning your laptop regularly both inside and out and keeping the fans clear will also go a long way in terms of protection.  

silver laptop on gray table

How To Tell If You Need A New Laptop (8 Common Signs) 

  • Frequent Lagging  
    If your laptop is prone to lagging, stuttering, and slowdowns, your CPU and RAM may need to be updated. If these things happen along with some or all the below issues, then you need to replace your laptop.  
  • OS Problems  
    Some indicators that your laptop may need replacing are when it takes much longer to boot up, does not keep up with software updates, or regularly brings up the blue screen of death for Windows users. Try reinstalling the software and, if it continues, you may need to replace your tech. 
  • Charging Or Battery Issues  
    How often should I replace my battery? For those who find that their battery is not lasting as long as it should, you may need to try replacing your battery or, if the drain of death continues, replacing your laptop entirely.  
  • Not Enough Storage Space  
    Temporary solutions like drives or Cloud storage can help with storage space issues in the short term; if you continually run out of storage on your old laptop, get a new one. 
  • Overheating  
    We all know how frustrating it can be to have your laptop fan spin fast enough to take off when your laptop is not running anything. The hotter your laptop gets, the shorter its already short lifespan becomes. If your laptop is constantly overheating and you can't fix the problem, you may need to find a replacement. 
  • Problems With The Display  
    If you find yourself regularly staring at torn screens, dead pixels, flickering screens, or a cracked computer screen, your laptop or screen needs to be replaced. 
  • Security Is Outdated  
    Like the software issues, if your laptop’s security system no longer accepts the latest updates, you need to find a new laptop that is right for you. 
silver macbook pro on a desk

Should You Upgrade Or Buy A New Laptop? 

While it is not an official rule, it is typically better to replace instead of repair your laptop when it displays multiple issues. Unlike PCs, laptops are harder to upgrade and are not as worth it to upgrade over time. 

If you do decide to replace some of your laptop’s parts, the main areas you should look at are: 

  • Memory: This will typically make the most long-term difference. 
  • Hard drive 
  • Optical drive 
  • Video cards: This is a priority for gamers who want to level up their hardware. 
  • Processors: This is the most expensive but also the highest impact change you could make. However, replacing a processor is so expensive that you may find that simply replacing the laptop entirely is wise from a financial perspective. 

We recommend doing what is best for you and your budget but bear in mind that you may find sourcing new parts difficult depending on your laptop’s model and age. 

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How long do mac laptops typically last? 

Apple’s iconic Mac laptops typically last between 5-8 years, depending on the way it is used and cared for. If you decide to get new parts for it, it can be hard to find them after five years. 

What should you do with old laptops? 

There are plenty of things that you can do with an old laptop, including: 

What is the average price of a laptop in 2021? 

The average price for a laptop is between $700 and $800. The exact price depends on the model, area, brand, quality, time of year, and many other factors. Shop around for a good deal. 

When's the best time of year to buy a new laptop? 

There are a few times of year where you can get a killer deal on a new laptop. Some general periods include: 

  • Black Friday/Cyber Monday – late November 
  • Back to school – June to September 
  • Right before a big new product drop 

Conclusion

By taking care of your laptop and properly maintaining it over time, you can extend its lifespan. However, all laptops will wear down and need replacing over time. Keep an eye out for these signs and use our advice to get a great deal on a flashy new laptop.