Nowadays, almost everyone has a laptop, whether for work or pleasure. While these devices are incredibly useful, they degrade with time, and eventually, the day comes when we need to upgrade our beloved laptops. But when, exactly, should you do this? How often should you be upgrading your laptop?

What Affects a Laptop's Lifespan?

As you may have guessed, many factors affect a laptop's lifespan, the first of which is usage. While many use their laptops for a few hours a day, perhaps in the evening to stream a show or do some online shopping, others use their laptops for most of the day. If you work from your laptop, for example, your usage times will naturally be very high.

Additionally, the way you use your laptop can affect its lifespan. For example, if you regularly use your laptop to game, this can take a toll on the hardware over time. Overall, as the usage of the device continues, its lifespan generally decreases.

Furthermore, the kind of laptop you have can affect how long it lasts. If your laptop has older or lower-grade hardware, it likely will not last as long as laptops with high-quality hardware. While this is not always the case, it is by no means uncommon.

Of course, damage can also affect a laptop's lifespan. Over time, our laptops suffer a little damage here and there, perhaps through bumps and falls, moisture, overheating, or otherwise. This can negatively affect the laptop itself, sometimes drastically.

It's also worth noting that neglecting your laptop can affect the length of its lifespan. Take your laptop's fan, for example. This piece of hardware can help combat overheating, a common issue that often occurs when the laptop is overwhelmed functionally. For example, if you run high-intensity software programs simultaneously, your CPU will be pushed harder, which can cause overheating. Your laptop's fan is there to mitigate this issue.

However, if your laptop's fan is clogged with dust and dirt, it cannot perform its cooling function properly. This, in turn, can damage the hardware and reduce your laptop's lifespan. Therefore, cleaning your laptop's fan every six months or so is important to ensure it is functioning as efficiently as possible.

Now that we know what affects a laptop's lifespan, let's get into when you should upgrade.

When Should You Upgrade Your Laptop?

As the factors above suggest, the answer to this question is very subjective. But there are general recommendations that span the majority of laptop users.

In general, it is suggested that you should upgrade your laptop every three to five years. However, this number may increase or decrease depending on your usage, the type of laptop, maintenance levels, etc. Laptops tend to have a shorter lifespan than PCs overall, but this doesn't mean their lifespans are unreasonably short.

If you like to have the newest tech, you may want to upgrade your laptop very often (though this can be a pricey endeavor). On the other hand, you may be happy to put off upgrading your laptop until it truly runs out of steam, which could take eight or so years. Theoretically, a laptop can last up to a decade if properly cared for.

There are also scenarios where you can upgrade your laptop's hardware instead of upgrading the device as a whole. This can be kinder on your wallet and allows you to keep your existing laptop with all of its installed apps, files, settings preferences, etc.

For example, if your laptop's battery is degrading, this doesn't necessarily mean that it's time to grab yourself an entirely new model. Rather, you may be able to replace the battery, be it on your own or through a paid service, without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars.

However, it's important to note that replacing multiple parts of your laptop instead of buying a new one can end up more expensive and time-consuming than simply upgrading. It's key that you consider this before buying new pieces of hardware.

Signs You Should Upgrade Your Laptop

If you think it might be time you upgrade your laptop, there are a few signs to look out for to confirm whether this is the case.

Firstly, if your laptop is freezing, crashing, or shutting down regularly, it's probably time to upgrade. This is likely due to problems with the CPU, which usually can't be replaced on laptops. Laptop CPUs are often soldered to the motherboard rather than socketed. So, if your CPU is on the rocks, you may need to buy a new model.

But a generally slow laptop is often related to your RAM, HDD, or SSD. If this is the case, all may not be lost. You can upgrade the RAM, HDD, or SSD within your laptop without breaking the bank, though prices will vary depending on the brand and version you go for.

Secondly, it might be time to upgrade if you cannot install any of the most recent operating system updates. While it's not the end of the world if your laptop can't support the very latest OS update, as time passes and more updates are released, you're likely missing out on useful bug fixes, security updates, and additional features. So, if your laptop can only support a fairly old OS version, consider upgrading to a newer model.

Sometimes, however, the reason for upgrading your laptop may not relate to existing issues. Rather, you may find that your laptop doesn't fit your preferences anymore. For example, if you have a large, bulky laptop yet are often on the go, it might be wise to switch to a lighter model. Or, if you're a regular gamer and your current laptop is generally quite slow, opting for a gaming laptop may be more beneficial for you.

Laptops Are Essential but Not Immortal

It can be easy to put off upgrading your laptop, as transferring your files, adjusting to a new model, and forking out the cash can be quite unpleasant and frustrating. But a low-performance laptop can be just as problematic and can cause a lot of issues if left unaddressed. So, if you've noticed that your laptop just isn't what it used to be, it might be time to say goodbye.