How long does a laptop last? Signs You Need a New One
Table of Contents
This question can be answered is in the context of laptop Hardware, functionality, and longevity. How long should it last? In this article, we’ll talk about all these issues. So let’s begin.
There are a number of factors that determine the life of a laptop. And, there are two main branches of this question.
- What is the average lifespan of a laptop?
- What is the average life of a laptop battery?
You’ve probably come here looking for an answer to one of those questions. To make it easier for you, this guide is split into three sections.
In the first section, we’ll talk about how long laptops should last, and you’ll also learn how to make them last longer. In the next section, we will examine how long your laptops’ battery life should be, as well as ways to make your laptop’s battery last longer.
How long does a laptop last before it has to be replaced?
Several factors will influence how long a laptop can be used before it starts to become obsolete or is no longer suitable.
- The components within the laptop
- What types of tasks will be performed on the laptop
- The treatment of the laptop
We’ll talk a little more about each point.
Hardware determines how long a laptop is relevant.
What hardware (components) is inside of a laptop is what determines its average lifespan.
As a rule, the better a laptop’s processor & graphics card is and the larger the RAM & storage it has, the longer is will remain relevant for modern tasks.
As a result, you can expect your laptop to last longer as you spend more on it.
Based on the price you pay for a laptop, here’s how long that laptop will be relevant:
- Less than $700: 2-4 years
- $700-$1,000: 3-5 years
- $1,000 or more: 4-7 years
Here, again, we are providing a breakdown of the life span you can expect for a new laptop, based on your use pattern.
How long your laptop remains relevant will depend on what tasks you need it to do.
If your laptop has to perform more demanding tasks (like gaming, video editing, graphics design, etc.) then it is only going to remain relevant for a shorter amount of time.
In contrast, if you use your laptop primarily for browsing the internet, checking email, and watching videos, it will last longer.
Hence, the question of how long should a laptop last is really twofold: A) the components inside and B) the use it will get.
Mid-range laptops should probably last roughly five years, give or take a year or two, depending on how they are used.
You should also think about how you treat your laptop while you own it.
Your laptop will last longer if you take proper care of it.
Take care of your laptop if you want it to last longer. Here are a few tips to ensure you maintain it in good shape.
Your laptop will last longer if you take proper care of it
What you can do to prolong the life of your laptop
- Remove your laptop’s charging cable when it has reached full charge.
- Every couple of months, clean your laptop.
- Make sure your laptop runs at lower temperatures with a cooling pad.
- Make sure your laptop is protected from liquids and food.
- Antivirus software should be used.
- Your laptop should be upgraded where possible (RAM, SSD, etc).
How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last?
Even budget-friendly laptops that are used mainly for general tasks such as sending emails, using a word processor, and browsing the internet should last 4-5 years if the best care is taken of them.
Video games are more demanding on your laptop, so you should expect your laptop’s lifespan to be shorter—at least, in terms of running current games.
Today’s games are increasingly complex and graphically enhanced, and as a result, higher levels of hardware are required.
In other words, mid-range gaming laptops may only last about two or three years before they stop working with the newer games.
But, it’s true that if you spend more on your gaming laptop, it will last longer.
The following criteria can be used to determine the lifespan of a gaming laptop:
- Less than $700: 2-3 years
- $700-$1,500: 3-4 years
- $1,500 or more: 4-6 years
A gaming laptop’s lifespan, of course, is a very general idea. The other factor that comes into play is what level of gaming experience you expect.
If you prefer playing video games on maximum graphic settings, you’ll need a newer and more advanced laptop sooner or later.
It’s also possible to get another couple of years out of your laptop if you play games at a lower graphics setting.
How Long Should A Laptop Battery Last?
The question “How long is a laptop battery supposed to last,” can be looked at from two points of view.
How Long Should A Laptop Battery Last
The first way to measure this is through a laptop’s battery life.
And, second, how long the laptop batteries will last before they are completely dead.
A laptop battery lasts how long with a single charge?
It can take quite a bit to charge a laptop from a single point depending on two things.
- A laptop’s battery quality or type
- Your laptop’s use.
You can expect your laptop’s battery to be of some high quality if you spend a decent amount of money on it. Yet, even the most powerful laptops on the market aren’t matched with batteries fitting their price tag.
It is extremely important to do your research when purchasing a new laptop and to research the battery life the laptop will get on one charge.
On average, a laptop battery should last between 2-3 hours up to 8 hours on a single charge.
Again, that really depends on the work you are doing on your laptop.
The battery life of a high-end gaming laptop might only be 2-3 hours while your laptop is being used to play games.
The cheapest laptop batteries can last between 4-5 hours for web browsing, sending emails, and other simple tasks, while the best laptop batteries can last about 10-12 hours.
Your battery’s age is also a factor to consider. Batteries that are less than 1-2 years old will not last as long as ones that are new. After prolonged use, a battery that previously lasted up to 4-5 hours on a single charge may need recharging every 2-3 hours.
Way to Increase the Average Single Charge Duration of Your Laptop
- Your screen’s brightness should be reduced.
- Set your screen to time out in less time.
- Keep your open programs to a minimum.
- Keeping tabs to a minimum
- Override the laptop’s speakers with headphones
- If you don’t need the WiFi on your laptop, turn off the connection.
- A cooler laptop will help to extend battery life.
- Once your laptop is fully charged, unplug it.
- Carry an extra battery.
How long do laptop batteries last? (Until it’s no longer useful)
Batteries for laptops should last on average between 300-500 full charges.
You have to take into account the type of battery you have when you figure this number out.
The fact that this number is referring to full charges is important to note. So if you charge your battery back up after it gets down to 30% life, you count it as 70% of a full charge.
So the real answer to whether a laptop should last longer is really based on how much you use it.
Your laptop will need to be charged more the more you use it. You can make your laptop’s battery last longer by charging it less frequently.
Tips are available on how to make a laptop’s battery last longer if you read the tips on how to make it last longer on a single charge. This is similar to the things that will help you prolong the battery’s life.
FAQs
What is the average lifespan of a laptop?
The lifespan of a laptop is determined by how often it is used. Generally, a laptop can last from three to five years.
How long should a laptop last in 2021?
Each new laptop in 2021 will last at least five years. You won’t have to replace them until 2026.
Can a laptop last 10 years?
The battery in your laptop is usually what gives out first, so you can usually replace it or leave it plugged in. If you do take care of your laptop, you’ll get around 10 years out of it.
Conclusion
The lifespan of laptop computers is defined by how they are maintained. If properly maintained, laptops can have a long lifespan on average.
You may want to consider buying a new laptop if you need something portable, easy to carry, and able to run powerful software programs.
