How often should a PC be replaced?

Question

Is it worth it to keep an old machine going or should I get a new one? How many years should a computer last?

Answer 1

I don't think we have a choice. The way the industry works is that by the time you get used to a system/program, an updated version is on the market. I got XP just last year. According to the paper, Windows "Vista" will be on the market soon. I don't think we will ever keep ahead of this game. With that said, normally, with care, a computer could last up to 7 years - just like any other appliance. You could always get a lemon, then again it could last 10 years. We don't know. That's why we are told to backup our work.

Answer 2

Yes, it is worth keeping an old computer around but you must remember that the old system will not run the latest Software and/or use the latest Hardware.
You should only keep a system for no more than 6 years unless the system is special to you.
Like I have an 7 year old system that is special to me.
It's a Alton M577 motherboard with a AMD K6-2+ processor running at 600MHz. The system might be considered to be real old but it does everything that I want it to. It even plays Quake3 Arena, Doom 3, and Half-life which is very impressive for an old fossil.

Answer 3

As long as they run, they are still worth using. I use some old PC in a cluster and use them as a calculating engine. I am using many PC that were made in 1999 that are of the PII-400 MHz that have a lot of life in them yet. If the old PC does the job you want to do, it is worth keeping, but wouldn't put much into it for any upgrades...at that point it is not to practical to upgrade, especially with the cheaper PCs that exist now.

Answer 4

It depends how you maintain it and what you want to do with it
I have a pc in the closet that is a celeron 400 from 1997
And still has the original OS install.
Perfect just for internet an emails
Ther are some places that will purchase your old PC if it's no more than about 3 years old

Answer 5

If it can't do what you need it to do, and it would cost a lot to upgrade, or if it's not upgradable to make it do what you want, then I'd replace it.

I made my last computer go for a good 7 years, which I think was 2-3 years too long.

Answer 6

Computer can last a long time like a TV. Over a decade.
Some real old ones can't download pictures.
If your computer does what you want it to do keep it. If it is slowing down it is probably because of a virus and/or spyware.

Answer 7

Just replace whenever your old system breaks down beyond repair, it cant run the new programs you want it too, or when you can afford to replace it.

Remember remove the harddrive out of the old system before you trash it or donate it ot charity. That harddrive contains sensitive information about your person. you should pull out the hard drive disk and destroy it, turn it in to little bitty pieces, then take those pieces and keep them next to an electromagnit, then burry them in your back yard.

Answer 8

It should be replaced when it doesn't do what you want anymore, whether that's displaying multimedia webpages online or playing games. As long as the machine suits your needs, there's little point in replacing it unless it stops working.

If you want to stay on the cutting edge, you'll need to replace your computer at minimum every 18 months or so.

Answer 9

depends on what config u have now...and what config is popular and new...also depends on ur choice...
see if u have a really old computer...and all the latest improvements in pc segment r bothering u ...then u can consider upgrading or even buyig a new one...
there is no fixed limitation when u have to buy a new one...
a pc can last a long as 10-15 yers or more...
by the way according to moor's law every pc component becomes twice as fast and reduces in size twice in every 18 months....

Answer 10

I have four computers from age 6 years to 1 year....I wouldn't think of getting a new one until Microsoft releases the new version of vista windows...They say January of 2007 is the release date of those.