Upgrade Laptop Or Buy New

In general there are two components that can be upgraded or replaced in the typical laptop. The first is RAM or Random Access Memory. This is the fast memory that the computer uses to store information from currently running software. The more RAM you have, the more applications you can run (or browser tabs you can open) without needing to resort to slow hard drive access.

upgrade laptop or buy new

However, one of the best ways to breathe new life into an old laptop is by exchanging its mechanical hard drive for a solid state model. This will immediately make the general experience of using the computer much more snappy and pleasant.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

When your old laptop is just too slow to keep up with the new software and tasks you're throwing at it, you have two choices: buy a brand new laptop with faster components or try to upgrade your existing system. Forum user _satwik has exactly this dilemma. They own a three year-old Lenovo Z50-70 with an Intel Core i5 4th Gen CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive and a 2GB Nvidia GeForce 840M GPU and want to know if they can save money and get a noticeable performance boost by adding more RAM and switching to an SSD.

Many notebooks today are completely sealed with parts that may be soldered onto the motherboard. Also, even if your laptop offers easy access to its innards, the only components you can replace are typically the RAM and storage drive; forget about changing your CPU, graphics card or screen.

To find out whether your laptop is upgradeable and what type of RAM or SSD it might take, you can check the service manual from your manufacturer or visit Crucial's Advisor tool. The tool tells you not only what type of components you need, but also the maximum amount of RAM your system can accept.

If your computer is really old and slow or the new tasks you wish to execute require a lot more processing power than you have, an upgrade won't help you. So, if you need to play games or transcode videos or edit high-res photos and can't, only buying a new laptop will help you.

The most meaningful upgrade you can make is switching from a hard drive to a Solid State Drive (SSD). Because SSDs have no moving parts, they are able to load programs, copy files or switch tasks many times faster than hard drives, which use spinning magnetic platters that look a lot like old-fashioned record players.

_satwik is looking to do some machine learning development work and "playing around with GBs of data," but is not interested in serious gaming. The Lenovo Z50-70 and its Core i5 CPU with 8GB of RAM really isn't that old or slow and it is upgradeable. According to the Crucial Advisor Tool, the Z50-70 takes a standard, 2.5-inch SATA drive, which is the most common type. For those reasons, I recommend that _satwik try upgrading to an SSD, rather than purchasing a new system.

The longevity of a computer is a key concern for consumers. For a desktop PC, the answer is more complex, because it offers greater ability to customize the components than a laptop does. For most desktop PCs, you can expect a minimum three-year lifespan.

However, most computers survive five to eight years, depending on the upgrading components. Maintenance is also critical, as dust is very problematic for PC components. Owners should routinely upgrade software and keep the machines free from excessive dust and debris.

When you've owned your laptop for two or three years you'll find yourself wondering whether or not you should buy a new one. Although it might be time to go browse our reviews to find a replacement, don't write off that old system just yet. With a little money and a bit of technical know-how, you can grant your laptop a new lease on life, or at least buy yourself a few more months. To determine if upgrading is the right choice for you, ask yourself the following questions:

Will upgrading solve my problem? If you're simply enduring sluggish performance or you've run out of storage space, then the problem can probably be solved by either increasing your computer's RAM or replacing its hard drive. Other issues have more complicated solutions that may extend further than a basic part swap can fix. For example, if your laptop is unable to play Batman: Arkham City, it may be that you lack the necessary graphics processor, have insufficient RAM, are running short on hard drive space, or are experiencing a combination of all three. Solving this problem with an upgrade may not be possible (adding a discrete graphics card isn't always an option in a laptop), or may be prohibitively expensive or more complicated than you want to take on.

Do I know how to perform this upgrade? Swapping out a part can be as simple as removing a battery and replacing it with a new one, or as complex as opening the laptop case or removing the keyboard. Always research a potential upgrade beforehand to determine if it's feasible given your equipment and comfort with the internals of a system. While broad tutorials are sometimes helpful, laptops vary widely in design and construction, so you'll want to find information for your specific make and model. Resources like iFixit's repair manuals and YouTube tutorials can be invaluable when deciding to undertake a repair or upgrade project. 041b061a72