Exact Answer: 6-8 Years
A computer, unlike food, does not have an expiration date, so if it still works and you can do whatever you want with it, you’ve got a perfectly fine computer. Because computers are so crucial in today’s industry, it’s critical to maintain them up and running.
It’s tempting to start looking for a replacement online when a computer starts to slow down or shows other indicators that it’s about to die. When determining whether or not to upgrade a PC, especially in a business context, there are several factors to consider. Costs mount up quickly, especially when adding numerous machines to a fleet, even if it’s a small one.
How Long Do Desktops Last?
| Life Of Desktops | Duration |
| Minimum | 5-6 Years |
| Maximum | 8-10 Years |
Consumers are concerned about the computer’s durability. The answer is more complicated for a desktop PC because it has more options for component customization than a laptop. Most desktop computers have a three-year minimum life expectancy.
Depending on the upgrading components, most computers last five to eight years. Dust is a major concern for PC components, thus regular maintenance is crucial. Software should be updated regularly, and devices should be kept clean and clear of clutter. Whether Macs or Windows PCs endure longer is a topic of heated discussion.
The solution is contingent on the hardware and configuration in use. Macs are known for being more durable, and Apple provides a robust support and maintenance infrastructure. With its Surface line, Microsoft has attempted to emulate Apple’s strategy to some extent, and other PC manufacturers, particularly those selling to businesses, have made attempts to provide a comprehensive experience and easy upgrades as hardware ages.
This will relieve your IT department’s support strain as well as your company’s upgrade charges. The tight integration of hardware and software, as well as Apple’s support environment, keep Macs a solid bargain, particularly for companies. Laptops face the same issues. The average laptop lasts three to five years, according to most experts.
It may last longer, but its usefulness will be limited as the components’ ability to execute complex programs deteriorates. If a laptop’s mode of usage still corresponds to its present computer capability, then it’s time to replace it. Some laptops can run for up to five years on a single charge, but their functionality may be limited.
Why Do Desktops Last That Long?
When it comes to replacing a computer, there is no clear rule of thumb. It’s because computers are created in such a variety of ways and for diverse purposes. In addition, the way you care for your computer might affect how long it lasts.
If your computer becomes too slow or stops working, and you are unable to upgrade it to fix the problem, your computer has likely reached the end of its useful life. It could take as little as two years if you’re performing more complex work than when you originally got it. But, at the same time, it can take as long as 15 years if you’re doing basic bookkeeping in a small store or office.
However, it’s more likely that you’ll reach a point where the improvements required to bring your computer up to speed will cost more or equal to the cost of replacing it. Because laptops are smaller and denser than desktop computers, there is less area for cooling and heat dispersion. As a result, your components will operate hotter on average than they would on a desktop, resulting in a shorter lifespan. In addition, upgrading laptops is more complex than upgrading desktop PCs.
Laptops are difficult to upgrade since taking them apart and putting them back together is difficult. Furthermore, many laptops feature specialized hardware that cannot be replaced with off-the-shelf parts. Keep in mind that computer components do not have shelf lives in the sense that they will work less efficiently and perform worse after a certain number of years.
Conclusion
Except for very ancient systems that are decades old and can’t perform as much as a modern computer, whether your computer is old or not is scarcely a technical term. When it comes to expressing how well a computer performs as compared to when you bought it, calling it old is only useful.
Making sure your drives aren’t fragmented, leaving enough free space to install new apps is a good way to give your desktop a long life. Not just this, when you physically clean your computer regularly and repair its broken parts, it saves it from physical damages. Moreover, updating your desktop constantly can help to extend the life of your computer.
References
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7263347/
- https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/221296.221307
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/39176bb650d429609bfb59a9751fb156/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=49149
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