Do you know the top signs it is time to upgrade to a new laptop? As with any electronic device, the good news is knowing you need to invest in a new unit isn’t as difficult as it may seem.
If you are wondering how often should you replace your laptop, keep reading. Here you can find some of the top signs; it makes sense to make this investment.
Knowing what to look for is the best way to know it is time to make this purchase.
1. Your Current Laptop Is Too Bulky
If you have a laptop that is over 0.5 inches thick, it means it is bulky. There are several issues associated with bulky laptops.
For example, larger laptops are loud as you boot them up and run them, and they are heavy to take from place to place. Even though larger laptops are portable, it will take up a lot of room in your bag, making it challenging to take along other essential items.
Today, you can find many laptops that are just a few millimeters thick. The good news is, you can find a lot of deals on black friday for these units, so buying one won’t be as expensive as you may think.
Just remember, while technology has come far in recent years, an extremely thin laptop may mean you are sacrificing other features. Be sure you know what you are and are not getting before making a purchase.
2. Nothing Happens When You Press the Power Button
This is one of the biggest and most dreaded moments for most laptop owners – you push the power button, and nothing happens.
If this occurs, you can take a few troubleshooting tips. The first step is to plug the laptop into a power outlet and then try to power it up again. If it is plugged in, make sure the cable is not loose. In some cases, trying a different power socket is helpful.
After troubleshooting the issue, if the device still won’t come on and is no longer under warranty, you have to decide if you should take the computer to a repair shop or the dealer.
At this point, weighing the pros and cons is beneficial. For example, how much will the repair cost? If there is a crucial component that has given up, such as the motherboard, it may be expensive to fix. Also, if you have an older laptop, it may be better to replace it with a new machine than trying to fix it.
3. Dents, Peeling Skin, or Scratches
When you turn your laptop on, you may overlook the seemingly small cosmetic issues with your device. However, the more cosmetic issues that occur, the more abuse it means your device has seen.
It may also mean that you are not properly caring for and maintaining the device. Now is the time to reconsider how well you take care of the laptop.
Eventually, a replacement will be the only option, especially if things stop working like they are supposed to.
4. The Laptop Gets Extremely Hot When Running
Does your laptop feel hot after it is turned on for a while? Does the chassis seem overly warm when you touch it in certain areas?
Or is the laptop extremely loud when it turns on? Do the applications run slower than usual?
As a laptop gets older, heat-related issues may develop, which can create these symptoms. They can occur because of how old the internal components are and the stress the machine has been under over the years.
If you have a cheaper laptop, the cooling system may be subpar, which means the components inside are more thermally stressed than they should be. Another issue related to the proper cooling of your laptop is the accumulation of dust over time. This is going to enter your laptop’s cooling vents and cause problems for the fans.
Some laptops, especially older or cheaper ones, are not designed to be serviced or opened by the user. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about this.
Professionals may be able to repair the problem, but this is usually going to be expensive. In most cases, just buying a new one will make more sense.
5. Keys That Stick or Don’t Work
Have you noticed there are keys on the keyboard that seems to get stuck all the time? Do you have to un-jam it by pressing it harder before it starts working again?
If this has occurred and then stopped, don’t expect it to disappear completely. It is going to get worse as time passes, and eventually, you may have to rely on the “on-screen keyboard.”
If this occurs, there is no easy way to get around this other than to purchase an external keyboard. Unfortunately, this will add even more hardware to the laptop, which is not comfortable unless you have a desk and mouse setup. At this point, though, your laptop is basically transformed into a desktop.
In many cases, and for many people, it makes more sense to go ahead and buy a new laptop. They can avoid all the hassle of external hardware by doing this.
6. The Quality of the Screen Has Declined
Another sign of a problem with your existing laptop is if the display isn’t as bright or crisp as it once was. When this happens, it can have a significant impact on your experience.
One example of a problem is if the screen has begun to flicker. This is bad for a person’s eyesight and their sanity. If the laptop is dropped, a crack may develop, or one part of the screen may be corrupted.
If there are serious issues with the laptop screen, you need to replace it. However, in many cases, this is another situation where just replacing the entire laptop will make more sense.
7. Hardware Devices Are No Longer Detected
This may occur if you have had the same laptop for four or more years. Usually, this occurs because some of the hardware components are no longer working correctly.
At this point, repairs may be pointless. Also, consider backing all your information up every day to ensure you do not lose anything if some of your hardware stops working as it should.
8. Issues with the Battery
As time passes, the maximum capacity of power your battery has will fall. This is because the battery is depleted, the more it is charged.
When you first purchase your laptop, it will last for many more hours while running off battery power. However, longevity will fall over time.
Eventually, you may wind up with a battery that does not waste more than ten minutes at a time. Essentially, this means you cannot use the computer unless you keep it plugged into a power socket at all times.
While the obvious and most cost-effective solution is to change the battery, this is not possible for all laptops. Some have power packs that are not user-replaceable (unless the device is returned to the manufacturer).
This is another sign a new laptop should be purchased. It will typically make more sense from a financial standpoint. You can also buy a device that has a replaceable battery.
9. Hard Drive Failure
You can tell the hard drive has failed if you boot up your laptop and receive a command prompt with a warning notice. The most common is that you will lose all data and that you can resume if you boot, back up everything, or even test your hard drive for potential issues.
If this happens, back up your data and purchase a new laptop. If you have reached this stage and choose to ignore the warning, you will eventually lose all your files and data.
10. You Are Ready to Buy
Sometimes, issues with the device itself are not signs you should buy a new device. Instead, it may be an appealing sale that tempts you to make a purchase.
In this case, you want a new laptop rather than needing one; however, it may be a mix of both these things.
However, if you do not really need a new laptop, you may want to wait. If there is a deal you cannot pass up, just make sure the laptop has all the features you are looking for. This is going to help you avoid a case of buyer’s remorse.
How Often Should You Replace Your Laptop: Now You Know
When answering the question – how often should you replace your laptop – there are many considerations. Keep the signs of a problem mentioned here to know when it is time to invest.
Keep in mind, buying a laptop requires an investment – if you purchase a good one. Be sure it is time by reviewing the information here.
If you are searching for more tech-related resources and information, be sure to check out some of our other blogs. We post regularly to ensure our readers remain updated and aware of what is going on in the tech world.