If your laptop is one of your most prized possessions, you are not alone. After all, many people spend several hours a day surfing the internet, watching videos, and listening to music all with the help of their trusty personal computer. You may even use it to work and study.
Unfortunately, it is this attachment that makes it difficult to recognize when your laptop is on its way out and when it’s time to think about purchasing a new one. In case you aren’t sure about the signs you should be looking out for, here are the top indications that you need a replacement computer:
Your Laptop Has Passed Its Useful Lifespan
When you refer to a computer’s lifespan, there are two factors at play here. These are the operational lifespan and the useful lifespan. Operational lifespan refers to just how long a computer can work properly without breaking down. Technically, if you take care of your laptop well, there is a chance that it could last as long as six or eight years.
Although this may sound like great news, the useful lifespan of your laptop acts as a caveat. See, each year manufacturers keep updating their computers before selling them. This is so that they are a good match for all of the new software that is also made available to the public. Your laptop’s useful lifespan is only as good as it is still compatible with the programs and software that currently exist. If it is too old to run them, then your laptop has reached the limit of its useful lifespan. At this point, it is time for a change. These days, most laptops have a useful lifespan of around three to four years.
The Computer Can’t Be Updated Anymore
It isn’t just external software and updates that you have to think about, you also have to think about the upgrades your operating system offers every so often. These are provided to you so that your computer can continue to work at optimal condition with all of the latest demands for the machine. Of course, this is only possible as long as your laptop is new enough to be a match for the system’s requirements.
For instance, most updated operating systems require laptops with a certain CPU speed. If you discover that your computer is way behind this mark, then it isn’t exactly an easy fix. In this case, it is a lot easier and budget-friendly to simply get a new computer.
The Laptop is Slow to Boot
Do you find that your computer is taking minutes to shut down and boot up again? Does it feel as though the operating system takes forever to load? If these are issues you are facing, then there may be a lot of factors responsible. For instance, when there are too many background programs running, your computer may find it difficult to cope. Also, if there are updates still working, these can force your laptop to slow down as well.
Nonetheless, if you have eliminated these problems and still find that your laptop is taking ages to load, then there is something you might have missed. It means that your processor speed can’t match up with the demands of the newer devices and thus, becomes sluggish. Now, there are some components that you can change here. For example, you could switch out the existing hard disk drive (HHD) with a solid-state drive (SSD). On the other hand, if you discover that there are several components that are simply not making the grade, the cost of replacing all of them would simply be too much. It would make a lot more sense to your wallet to just buy a new machine.
You Have Reached Your Upgrading Limit
Once upon a time, when a laptop slowed down or stopped working satisfactorily, most people simply ditched their computer for a newer model. These days, however, owners are a lot more tech-savvy. Thus, all it takes to get your computer to run smoothly again is to update it so that it’s as good as new. In most cases, simply upgrading your RAM and hard drive space will do the trick. Once you have managed this, you shouldn’t experience any other problems.
That is, however, unless you do. What most people forget is that older laptops have a limit to just how much you can upgrade your hard drive and RAM space. After you have reached the maximum capacity, your computer is essentially tapped out. Since there are no other upgrades you can make, you will need to get a new machine.
The Machine Constantly Overheats
You have probably felt your laptop getting just a little too hot at one point or another. This usually happens when you unknowingly block the fans and prevent the machine from cooling itself down. Nevertheless, if you notice that your laptop is overheating regularly and can’t seem to pinpoint the reason, you may need to take a look at the internal components. There may be quite a bit of caked dirt and debris interfering with the fans’ performance. If it doesn’t appear as though there is anything you can do about this, a replacement may be a necessity. Keep in mind, if your laptop continues to heat up it will damage many components of the computer, rendering it unusable.
The Laptop is Emitting Odd Sounds
If your laptop is working just fine, you will usually just hear a soft whoosh or even a gentle whirring. These are all normal sounds produced by your computer. On the other hand, if these noises change, there may be a problem. If you hear any scraping, grinding, clicking, or knocking, these could be warning signs of a hard drive failing. Your best option here may be to get a new machine, altogether.
As you can see, there are a lot of warning signs to watch out for. So, if you notice one or more of these, then you know that it is time to go shopping. At the very least, consider backing up all your important documents, images, videos, and so on, in case your laptop does break down unexpectedly.
