While it's possible to purchase an inexpensive laptop — you can find serviceable models under $1,000 and some even under $500 — portable PCs are typically more expensive than desktop counterparts with similar performance. That means it's important to know how long laptops last, so you can make decisions about price versus longevity.
Experts estimate you should get at least four years from a laptop purchase, though 10 to 12 years is the upper limit for any portable.
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How long do laptops last?
No matter how well you care for a laptop, time inevitably takes its toll.
"The typical laptop will become unusable in about four to five years, with the battery generally being its Achilles' heel," says Corey Donovan, president of Alta Technologies, an IT firm with extensive experience refurbishing computers for corporate clients. He adds that "the exception to the rule is Apple, whose laptops last about seven to 10 years on average." Some laptops — especially older ones — allow the battery to be replaced, essentially resetting the clock, but many modern laptops make battery replacement difficult or even impossible.
The next common point of failure in a laptop is often the display, though incidental and routine screen damage can shorten a laptop's life expectancy even more. Says Donovan: "Dead pixels start to proliferate after five years of use and screens yellow out within eight to 10 years." "Yellowing" is a common term among computer technicians for various display issues that crop up as the display ages. The term comes from older laptop display technologies which used to actually yellow as they aged.
Even if your laptop makes it past those issues, keep in mind that by the time a laptop is 10 to 12 years old, the hardware will no longer be supported by modern operating systems, so you'll need to replace the system to keep current with security updates and to be compatible with modern software.
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Signs you should get a new laptop
Laptops can last longer these days than they did in the past, partly because processors are so much faster that it takes much longer for new software to outstrip their abilities — in other words: to render your laptop obsolete. But no laptop lasts forever. Here are some common signs it's time to retire your existing model and trade up to a new portable PC.
The battery isn't replaceable and no longer holds a charge
Inevitably, the laptop's battery will charge less and less efficiently, and eventually stop holding a useful charge entirely. Some laptops can have their battery replaced, but many others are a closed ecosystem, with no practical way to swap the battery.
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It no longer supports operating system upgrades
Even if your laptop is still technically functional, beware of keeping it past the point that the hardware is supported by your operating system. If you can't upgrade the software to keep pace with antimalware and security updates, you are putting not just the computer but all your data and even your identity at risk.
The fan runs all the time
Most laptops rely on passive cooling for routine operations, and switch to cooling fans when the hardware is taxed by high-performance software and multitasking. If your laptop fan is running more or less all the time, that's a sign that the hardware can no longer keep up with the software you're running.
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The display feels small, cramped, or low-resolution
While this is a subjective consideration, your older laptop might feel antiquated next to modern systems. Nowhere is that more evident than in the display; if you have trouble working on a small or low-res display after seeing what large laptops with 4K screens look like, it might be time to upgrade — or at least connect the laptop to a desktop monitor when you're using it at home.
You can't easily multitask or run new versions of your favorite apps
New software will always place more demands on your hardware than older versions. Because computers are always getting faster and contain larger storage, developers have little incentive to create apps that make economical use of computer resources. Eventually, you will find that your collection of modern software is taxing your laptop and you'll be better off with a new machine.
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You're out of storage space
Some laptops can be easily upgraded with a larger hard drive, but that's not universally true. You may be able to plug an external storage into one of your laptop's USB ports, but eventually it'll simply be more convenient to upgrade to a new laptop, which probably has the added advantage of a faster and larger internal drive.
It's cheaper to replace the laptop than to repair or upgrade it
Aging laptops often come with a recurring tax in the form of repairs and upgrades. Whether it's a cracked screen, broken trackpad, or just the need for more storage space, you'll pay to keep your laptop running. Like an aging car, at a certain point it'll be smart to retire the old model and save money over the long haul by getting a new one.
Freelance Writer
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
