Laptops are designed with mobility in mind, so how long do laptops last? For most consumers, the answer will be: not very long! While the lifespan of a typical laptop varies greatly among different models, in general, a daily use laptop should last between three to four years. Laptop warranties help to protect against damage, deterioration, and repair or replacement of parts. While a replacement laptop may be out of the budget, many consumers choose to purchase a refurbished model, which can still perform like new. Laptops are designed with mobility in mind, so how long do laptops last? For most consumers, the answer will be: not very long! While the lifespan of a typical laptop varies greatly among different models, in general, a daily use laptop should last between three to four years. Laptop warranties help to protect against damage, deterioration, and repair or replacement of parts. While a replacement laptop may be out of the budget, many consumers choose to purchase a refurbished model, which can still perform like new.
While some manufacturers set the bar at ten years and under, others go as high as twenty years. The most common laptop lifespan is between seven and ten years. How long a laptop can be used depends largely on the quality of the underlying hardware and software, but laptops are often less stable than desktops, so it's always a good idea to put the machine through its paces before committing to a large investment. Gaming laptops, especially, are best left to experienced users and professionals. For those who simply want to browse the internet, surf the web, chat with friends, and work on the occasional spreadsheet, a seven to ten-year-old laptop is more than adequate.
Consumer notebooks, which are sold mostly directly by the manufacturer, have a much shorter lifespan than those that are sold through retailers. A plan for planned obsolescence will provide details about the estimated life of a particular model. While a rough lifespan is usually three years for the majority of laptops, the quality of their built and the care they receive from the manufacturer play a large role in determining the final figure.
The lifespan of desktops is generally considered to be between five and ten years. Obviously, this is based solely on the quality of the materials used and how well the machines are maintained. Laptops, on the other hand, are subjected to far more wear and tear, which will affect their life span significantly. Durability is crucial to the success of any laptop, so buying the most durable models is a must. A three-year-old laptop may last only two or three years before it begins to show signs of aging.
With regards to battery life, it is entirely possible for notebooks to last between one and five years with proper use, though it is not common for them to exceed six months on the average. While the exact number isn't known, it is safe to assume that the longer the battery life, the better the chances of not running out of power during the day. If you expect your laptop to last between one and five years, then you should purchase a battery that offers approximately four hours of usage on, and never let it go below four hours of use. Also, avoid running your laptop on AC power while it is not in use, as this can lead to serious damage to your laptop.
The lifespan of any laptop depends entirely on the manufacturer of the machine. Some manufacturers have longer lifespans with their laptops than others. Toshiba has the longest average lifespan of any computer manufacturer in the world, at ten years. Other laptop brands have much shorter lives in spite of their high quality. Compaq, for example, has the shortest lifespan of any brand of laptop, at just two years. Fortunately, this is still a very good average, but models with pre-installed Operating Systems like Microsoft XP will tend to run much longer than average.
One of the factors that affects how long do laptops last is how well it is maintained. A well cared for laptop will generally last a lot longer than an unattended, dirty, and neglected one. An old laptop can be a total eyesore, but even a brand new one will deteriorate much faster than an old laptop. Allowing the machine to be cleaned regularly by professional cleaners will prevent it from becoming dusty and dirty.
How long do laptops last? It really depends on the use. If you are an average user who never exceeds the recommended usage of 1 hour per day, then you will probably not have to worry about the question "how long do laptops last?" The latest applications and hardware will probably keep pace with your machine, so don't expect much longer than a decade or two with a regular maintenance of the machine and a new battery every year or two.