How long do notebook computers last

You might also find that the hardware is incompatible with the software, such as operating system security or software versions. One of the first signs that a laptop is past its prime is the noise of the fan running very loudly.

Over time, your laptop will likely start slowing down. It may take longer for web pages to load, or for applications to open, or even to start up or shut down the laptop in the first place. As laptops slow down incrementally over time, this might escape your attention, so remind yourself every six months or so to do a speed test. Accidents happen, and even a new laptop could end up having repairs that make it too expensive to be worth the fix. Drops, knocks, spillages, and even cold pressure can cause breakages and issues with your laptop, so take care!

This could be insufficient RAM, so you may be able to fix it yourself without replacing the laptop, but remember those compatibility issues!

This is a common problem when you repurpose a laptop for a more hardware-intensive use, such as using your home computer for work tasks.

If your laptop is reaching the end of its lifespan, there may not be a lot you can do about these problems. However, here are a few ideas that you can try: Reduce the number of programs that are automatically running in the background. Stay on top of high battery temperature and moisture, both of which can exacerbate existing problems. You can adjust your system preferences to make this less harmful.

Of course, you want to make sure that your laptop will last as long as possible. This is usually around charge cycles, so it can be helpful to charge your laptop less often, or let it completely run out before you charge it more often. Here are some tips that are easier to implement than calling for a streaming-ban.

Some laptops do not offer a replaceable battery, so make sure to look into this when you buy a laptop. Bottom line, the better care you take of your laptop, the longer it will last. There is always going to be an upper limit on how long your laptop can last, which is usually between years. Never skip steps when it comes to security or compatibility for updates and patching. Keep it clean: This means more than just the parts and the screen.

Empty recycle bin, and downloads, too. Add extras: Reducing the load on the hardware can be done with some nifty accessories, such as an external mouse, keyboard, headphones or speakers. A case can also protect against wear and tear.

Plus — they make your laptop look awesome! Because real upgrades always require some expense, this is probably one of the final steps you'll consider.

But small, incremental upgrades can make a big difference. Not as many laptops support internal memory or storage upgrades as they used to -- replaceable batteries even less so -- but if you can, you should definitely take advantage of the option as you start to hit limits. That's one of the advantages of hanging onto an older laptop -- it's more likely to be upgradable.

That's as long as you feel comfortable opening it up to stick things in. Before you start down this path, make sure to find an upgrade or maintenance guide for your particular system to verify that it supports your plan. You should also check that it doesn't require expensive nonstandard components, which will cost more than it's worth. When I bought this inexpensive Asus UL30 in , it was partly for its upgradability and removable battery.

The display failed before I even got a chance to take advantage of that. It was probably fixable, but wasn't worth it given the price. External upgrades can be easier and more practical, though in some cases they don't provide as big a boost. Or they may not make as big a difference as you thought they would. I secretly added a Netgear Wi-Fi 5 Speedtest showed that throughput doubled. Given how much time she spends online, that seemed to make it worth the money. If you're running short on storage, an external drive is an obvious enhancement.

Unless you only plan to use it to offload files you don't use often, you may want to avoid going too cheap. A slow external drive can be more annoying than uplifting. You can also potentially improve performance by booting from an external drive, though that depends on the connection and the drive speed. Another possible performance upgrade -- only if you've got a newer laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 connection, though -- is to add an external graphics processor, aka eGPU to boost speed in applications or games with heavy GPU usage.

This can be a pricey upgrade, though, and the enclosure and the graphics card are frequently sold separately, which can obscure the true cost. You may want to consider moving to a newer version of the operating system if you're not on it already.

I don't consider it a no-brainer, though. If your laptop's crumbling to dust, a newer version of the OS may not unequivocally improve things.

And you also run the risk of losing the ability to run some applications. So if a program hasn't been migrated from 32 to 64 bit -- and there are good reasons why it may not have been -- the upgrade would actually be a step backward for you.

Sticking with an outdated version of an operating system is widely considered to be bad hygiene, though, because you don't get the constant barrage of virus, malware and security updates that up-to-date systems receive. And finally, when you're at the end of your rope, you've got nothing to lose by replacing the operating system with something new altogether.

If your laptop powers on and at least most of the keys work, there's a good chance it can be converted into a Chromebook, running Google's Chrome OS, to give it at least a little more useful life before it goes to live upstate on a retired laptop farm. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read.

Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Lori Grunin. Enlarge Image. Microsoft releases Windows updates that bring security and operational improvements, bug fixes, and some tweaks. But you cannot install the latest operating system on your laptop. This is discussed by many users. What to do with old computers? Here we show you 3 situations along with different methods to dispose of old computers including laptops and desktops.

Although your laptop can last for a long time, the life of the battery will be shorter relatively. The ability to hold charge reduces as the battery becomes older. In general, a quality battery lasts over 8 hours on a single charge while a weak battery lasts for only hours on a single charge.

If you do intensive tasks, they drain your battery very rapidly. For simple tasks, the battery can give you 5 hours or more of use. Expensive laptops with quality batteries even give you more than 12 hours of battery life. A typical laptop battery is built to handle charge cycles. Depending on the regular use, the battery starts failing within years. As it approaches the end of its lifespan, it will hold the charge for shorter and shorter periods.

Sometimes, you can see a read mark x on the icon of battery and you must use a charging cable when using your laptop. Tips and Tricks. How long does a laptop last? How long do gaming laptops last? How to increase the lifespan of your PC? When to get a new laptop? Now after reading this post, you know much information about them.

As well, a related topic — how long does a laptop battery last is also told to you. We hope this all-around post is helpful for you. On the other hand, if you have any ideas including questions or suggestions, let us know. Just leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected]. Thanks in advance! Download Shadowmaker.