GuidesWikiHow Long Do Laptops Last?

How Long Do Laptops Last? [Answered]

Learn about how long a laptop lasts and when it is time to get a new one.

I have found that the lifespan of a laptop can vary depending on its model and type. In my experience, Apple’s Mac stands out as an exception, lasting 7 to 10 years. On the other hand, laptops supported by other operating systems typically have a lifespan of 3 to 6 years.

Key Takeaways

  • Laptops’ lifespan is how long it takes for a laptop to become unusable.
  • A laptop battery has a hefty contribution to the laptop’s lifespan.
  • You may need a new laptop if it is worn out, has no long-lasting battery, takes too long to process data, and has storage issues.
  • You can extend your laptop’s lifespan by protecting its exterior, using its USB ports, replacing its battery, scanning for viruses and malware, and keeping it clean.

The Average Lifespan You Can Expect From A Laptop

The average lifespan indicates how long your laptop is expected to deliver optimal performance. It doesn’t imply your laptop will abruptly fail after this time, but its performance may decline. Laptop lifespan varies by type, and here are some common laptop types.  

Daily-Use Laptop

These are consumer laptops whose sole purpose is to fulfill lightweight tasks. The tasks may be internet browsing, streaming videos, and similar. In my experience, these laptops give optimal performance for 4 years.

Daily laptop users on different platforms across the internet also share a similar experience. After this, the hard drive starts giving issues. You can be lucky enough to get a one-year warranty with it, too. These laptops are relatively cheap compared to others.

They are also built with lightweight hardware, which requires less power to run. This also results in their battery life lasting longer than other laptops.

Office Work Laptop

Often known as business laptops, these are far more dependable than consumer laptops. You can get them with a warranty of as much as 3 years, which is a plus. These laptops are built for resource-intensive use as well. From the outside, these laptops have an exterior built to deal with rough and tough use.

These high-end laptops are much more reliable and can last as long as 6 years.

Gaming Laptop

The lifespan of a gaming laptop is determined by its manufacturer and the quality of the materials it is built with. You can expect a gaming laptop to last 5 years. This has been true in our experience and other gaming laptop users on YouTube. The purpose of gaming laptops is to give a good performance even when they are loaded with work.

You can use these laptops to carry out resource-intensive tasks, and they will complete your tasks without facing a lag or anything similar. Again, your laptop can give this sort of performance till a certain time until it starts to fall behind, too.

Has Battery Life Got Anything To Do With A Laptop’s Lifespan?

A laptop’s battery life significantly impacts its lifespan, and as it ages, so does its battery. After 1 or 2 years, the battery begins to lose capacity, and how you charge the laptop affects its life. The battery undergoes a limited number of cycles, and not adhering to these cycles can lead to battery health deterioration.

I have experienced laptop batteries losing their ability to last long when plugged in at all times. Therefore, I recommend avoiding leaving the laptop plugged in all the time.

Important: Always charging the laptop also lessens the battery life.

Furthermore, with today’s demanding applications and software, older laptops tend to deplete their batteries quickly. It’s prudent to check if the laptop’s battery is replaceable before purchase.

To extend your laptop’s battery life, adopt practices like reducing brightness, using fewer apps and browsers simultaneously, opting for headphones over speakers, turning off Wi-Fi when not in use, and preventing overheating with a cooling mat.

Tips That Can Help Extend The Lifespan Of A Laptop

While laptops have a lifespan in which they give their absolute best performance, there are still some ways you can push the lifespan a little more to make your laptops last longer. 

  • Make sure to wipe the fans and the keyboard free of dust and debris. This will help extend the lifespan of the laptop’s hardware components and also aid in preventing overheating.
    WARNING: Make sure to use the proper tools like microfiber cloth when cleaning the laptop to prevent any further damage.
  • Make sure to replace the laptop battery with a new one once it hits 3 years after use. This will help in extending the lifespan of the laptop.
  • Make sure to clean the USB ports and keep them in use. This will help keep them functional for a longer period. Also, ensure that you eject the USB once you are done using it so there is no room for unwanted damage.
  • Regularly scan for any hidden viruses and malware in your laptop. Oftentimes, they are the root cause behind many hardware issues. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my laptop last if used regularly?

Your laptop may last 3 to 5 years if used regularly. You may find its battery lasting only a short time once this period passes.

Can I use my laptop for more than 10 years?

Laptops do not die after their given lifespan comes near. Their performance is what falls behind. If you are fine with how your laptop performs, you can keep it as long as you want.

Is it bad to keep my laptop charging 24/7?

While batteries can not overcharge themselves, the heat produced when a laptop is always on charge can have inverse effects on its lifespan.


Related Articles:

Related articles

IOPS: Guide To SSD Performance

IOPS is a metric that measures how quickly a storage device can perform read and write operations per second.

L2 Cache: How It Works & Importance

L2 cache is a temporary storage that reduces the latency between CPU-RAM operations. It is the storage that the CPU can access quickly.

How To Find The Right Mouse For Your Hand Size?

In this guide, you will learn how to find the right mouse for your hand size for a convenient control of your PC.

What Are Semiconductor Process Nodes? [Definitive Guide]

Process nodes refer to the size of transistor and other micro-level components on a semiconductor chip.

CPU Temperature While Gaming [Extensive Guide]

It is important to learn about the ideal CPU temperature while gaming, as this can save your components from getting damaged.

Similar Guides