How long does a computer usually last?

Question

I have a computer thats about 5 1/2 years old how long can i expect it to last without anytype of upgrades

Answer 1

well it depends, gaming computer last about 2-3 years and upgraded every year. most home computer can last much longer like 3-5 years. after that its rly getting outdated.

Answer 2

Depending on what you do, how long it will last.

If all you ever do is browse the internet and check email, you could theoretically keep using the same computer for a long time. If you play games, you'll need a new one every year or two to keep up. So, the mission defines how long you can keep the same computer without it being "outdated".

The other factor is how well you take care of the computer. If you treat it well, it will last a long time. If you mistreat it, it won't last as long. If you keep the dust cleaned out and such it will last longer than if you let the dust build up such a layer that the computer dies of overheating. There are, of course, always those fluke events. For example, I had a powersurge (or something) that knocked out my video card and power supply.

As an example, my computer is now 4-5 years old. It does what I need it to. I no longer play games, which was the big reason I always had to upgrade. My current computer is perfectly capable of browsing the internet, checking email, playing music and movies, etc. I don't plan to upgrade any time soon, because it performs it's mission. If it dies or I have a major part malfunction, then I may well look to build something new. But, without a catalyst like that, I don't foresee the need at this point.

Answer 3

Depends on what you do with it really.
If you are still playing the same games you played on it 3 years ago or so, it will last until it breaks down.
If you are wanting to run some newer games, programs and such, that require more than what your system can bear, then you will have to upgrade...at that point though, you would probably want to buy another computer, since there would be multiple upgrades.

I have a Sony vaio, that has a whopping 166 mhz chip (from 1995) that still works great....I just can't really run anything on it, other than what it had on it from about 1998 and older. I don't really use it all, but I know it still starts up and runs just fine.

Answer 4

5 years is considered the typical lifespan of a system.

I had a Gateway that lasted 7 years and got hit by lightening twice before it died. I had to replace the modem card after the first hit. The second hit fried the motherboard.

I've had two HPs that were complete junk. One had a bad AC jack, bad DVD, and bad hard drive while still under warranty (1 year). The customer service sucked. I should've fought harder and got it declared a lemon but HP is just a bad company to deal with. The other HP had a bad power supply and bad DVD one month out of warranty. I'll never buy another HP.

At 5 1/2 years you should make sure all your data backups are kept up to date.

Answer 5

Software industry always lags behind Hardware. Buy a top tier (Dell, HP system; notice i didn't mention Big Blue. The only things they don't do well are hardware and software). Load up on RAM. Hard drive should be at least 2.5 x what you currently use. Replace drives as they get to 80% of capacity. (About 10% is dedicated for swap file usage.)
Maintain it well: keep antivirus & anti-malware up to date and run at least weekly, annually blow out the dust bunnies with canned "air", defrag at least every 3 months or after software install/uninstall, clean the registry (free apps), for Windows--set a fixed swap file size (Control Panel > System >Advanced > Performance Settings. On Visual Effects, select Adjust For Best Performance. On the Performance Options > Advanced tab, select Change Virtual Memory, turn off Automatically manage paging file size for all drives. Select Custom Size and type in the Recommended size at the bottom of the dialog box for both Initial Size and Maximum Size. Click "Se." and then click OK all the way out and reboot. Back up at least monthly. Clean off unused software and data. Every 2.5 - 3 years, wipe the disk and reinstall the OS.
Now you should be able to get 5 years of service before a critical part fails. Some fail at 4 years, some at 6. Drives & power supplies can be easily replaced. Easy to add another video card.

Answer 6

well i know that a computer moniter can last a long time, the LCD ones dont. they are good and cool, but the cathode ray tube lasts a long time!!! now the computer, well i know that the computer is a machine, and the components inside is the motherboard, disk drives, and other stuff, so it depends on how new it is, mines been around since 2003, so it should last a long time, depending on how new your machine is, computers, think of them as machines. your addicted to it

Answer 7

Okay, try this out: I have an Armada M7000 that was made in the year 2000. The battery died about three years ago but everything else still works perfectly. It runs Ubuntu 7.10 and runs it perfectly. With the exception of the battery being dead this laptop works fine. I use it to play with the internet all the time.

Answer 8

The type of upgrades you'll need depends on what you need the computer to do. If your needs haven't changed and the computer works well........... your hardware will crash 1 day to 20 years from now.

Answer 9

Expect the computer to keep on chugging away for a while.... and also expect the computer to keep on getting more and more obsolete and less compatible with the programs you want.

Answer 10

7 Years I Mean
2 Years Later U Have To Change IT