How Long Does a Laptop Last?

RGB lit Laptop

In 2020 the Australian PC market grew by 11.8%.

Laptops are among the most popular devices on the planet, with many people using them for work as well as in their personal lives. While laptops can be incredibly useful, they don't last forever.

A laptop reaching the end of its life is never ideal, but there are some signs you can look out for to know when it's going to happen. There are also some things you can do to help your laptop last longer.

So how long does a laptop last, and what can you do to keep it going longer? Keep reading to find out.

Does the Price Relate to the Lifespan?

When buying a laptop, this may be one of the first things you consider. Generally, when spending more on something, you expect it to be better. As such, there is a correlation between price and laptop lifespan.

A cheap laptop is typically made to a lower standard and therefore isn't likely to last as long. Conversely, an expensive laptop will be of better quality, so should last longer. With that being said, it's not an absolute rule.

The price of laptops varies, with some being under $700, and others being upwards of $5,000. In some cases, cheaper laptops can outlast more expensive ones. The price can be an indicator, but various other factors will affect the overall lifespan of a laptop.

Different Kinds of Laptops

One of the most crucial factors that determine the lifespan of a laptop is what it's used for. Uses that take a heavy toll on a laptop will likely reduce its life.

When looking for a replacement laptop, think about what your needs are. You want to make sure you have a laptop that's capable of the tasks you'll use it for.

Consumer Laptops

A consumer laptop is well suited to everyday use. This can include things like web browsing, emailing, and video streaming. These kinds of tasks aren't too demanding, so these laptops aren't usually too powerful.

They're the cheapest option available. While they might struggle with more intense tasks such as video editing or gaming, they have more than enough power for the kinds of things most people do in their daily lives.

As they have fairly simple hardware, these are often smaller and lighter than other types of laptops. They generally come with a 1-year warranty, and these can usually be extended. You can expect a consumer laptop to last around 3 years if you look after it properly.

Business Laptops

Business laptops are typically more robust and reliable than consumer laptops. They often have stronger casings to protect them during transport. Powerful fans are quite common to prevent overheating.

A business laptop generally has more power than a consumer laptop, allowing for more power-intensive uses. These benefits come at a cost, and business laptops are often upwards of $3,000. They usually come with a 3-year warranty but should last longer than this in most cases.

Gaming Laptops

Gaming laptops are the most powerful type available by a considerable margin. Because of this, they also tend to be heavier and more robust. As you may expect, they're also the most expensive type available.

A gaming laptop will have a very high price tag. As such, they tend to have very long lifespans. Despite this, you may still need to replace your gaming laptop after just a few years.

If you're a big gamer, you'll want to be able to play the latest games at their full capability. After a few years, a gaming laptop may still work, but newer games will need more powerful hardware to work at their best. You'll need to latest hardware to get the most out of the latest games, so even a top-end gaming laptop may become outdated in around 5 years.

Signs a Laptop Is at the End of Its Life

Ideally, you will use a laptop for as long as you can, but some signs indicate it's almost at the end of its life. Look out for these and you'll know that you need to start preparing to buy a new one.

Compatibility Issues

If you start finding that your laptop isn't compatible with new software, this is a clear sign that it's becoming outdated. That may also become apparent if you find yourself needing to upgrade the hardware to keep up with modern technology.

Loud Fans

A loud fan is a good indicator of an ageing laptop. This is especially true if you notice this while your laptop isn't running any power-intensive software.

Slow Speed

With time, some things will feel like they're taking longer. This could be loading web pages, opening programs, or even just shutting your laptop down.

Your laptop getting slower will be a gradual thing, so it can go unnoticed for quite a while. You should do a speed test about once every 6 months to stay on top of this.

Breakages

This is something that unfortunately happens. Laptops get dropped, knocked, have drinks spilt on them, and more. Sometimes these may just cause scratches, and other times they can completely break a laptop.

Unusual Behaviour

After a while, your laptop might begin doing things that it's not supposed to do. If it starts crashing quite often or restarting for no reason, it's probably getting a bit old.

It may also start struggling to perform tasks it can usually do, or your laptop battery might not be holding a charge properly. You may be able to continue to use it when this happens, but things will generally only go downhill from here.

How to Make a Laptop Last Longer

You can't make a laptop last forever, but taking care of your laptop will naturally keep it in working order for longer. Some of the things you can do to maximize its lifespan are:

Don't leave it in the sun
Don't keep it plugged in 24/7
Keep it clean
Keep it updated
Use external hardware to reduce wear (mouse, keyboard, etc.)
Upgrade parts

When issues do occur with your laptop, a computer repair service may be able to fix it so you can get a bit more time out of it. Just bear in mind that some laptop repairs can be quite expensive and may not extend their life by much, so they aren't always the best choice.