How long do your computer usually last?

[zuiko85]

My abacus is still working. I don't know how old it is.

 

[tedwhite]

I have a Dell Hybrid, about the size of the average woman's smallish purse. It has Windows Vista. It sits on my desk and is attached to a 19" Acer monitor. Friends throw up their hands in horror: "Windows Vista? Dell Hybrid? How could you?"

But it works just fine. Must be 5 years old. I rarely turn it off, just put it in sleep mode.
I don't know anything about computers. Probably just as well.

 

[ZeissFan]

I try to get as much life as possible from all of my computers. Generally, that means at least eight or nine years.

Laptops have shorter lives. I'm on my third laptop since 2003. And I don't hammer my belongings.

My desktop finally needed to be replaced after the motherboard (or some other component) finally up and died. It was cheaper to build a new one than spend time diagnosing why it wouldn't power up. I like to build my own desktops because I like knowing exactly what is inside. It also prevents it from being loaded with a bunch of trial versions of software that I'll never use.

 

[shadowfox]

Here is a relevant tip:
Instead of buying consumer-grade new laptops, buy used top-of-the-line corporate (or gamer) -grade laptops that are 2-4 years old which cost about a fraction of their original prices.

You'd get acceptable performance, larger memory capacity, and usually a wide array of spare-part options because these units are designed to be parts-swappable, unlike consumer grade laptops that has "planned obsolescence."

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Here is a relevant tip:
Instead of buying consumer-grade new laptops, buy used top-of-the-line corporate (or gamer) -grade laptops that are 2-4 years old which cost about a fraction of their original prices.

You'd get acceptable performance, larger memory capacity, and usually a wide array of spare-part options because these units are designed to be parts-swappable, unlike consumer grade laptops that has "planned obsolescence."

This is an excellent suggestion. My last consumer-grade computer had a hard drive stutter step to death. It was two years old. A restore to a new hard drive salvaged the OS and the original OEM programs. Ugh. I would say I average about 18-30 months per consumer-grade box.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

5-10 years or more for me, depending on how long Microsoft supports the OS.
XP security updates end next year so I have been faced with retiring my old machines.

Last year I purchased an entry level Acer i3 Windows 7 desktop and upgraded the memory.
It will replace my ten year old Compaq EVO P4 running Windows XP.

I like my little Dell D430 laptop; it's great for travel.
I read conflicting reports about upgrading this model to Windows 7.
I plan to try Linux Mint first.

Chris

 

[ruby.monkey]

I have been the Death of Laptops - going through three office-issue machines in as many months - but I cobbled together my current desktop machine about eight years ago and am only now feeling the need to upgrade.

 

[Bill Clark]

I'm thinking that when I replace my MacBook laptop going to an iPad. I have an Apple Bluetooth keyboard. Use the iPad only for internet stuff. I like the portability of an iPad and the last time I went through security at the airport I had someone elses iPad and it was fine to keep it in the case with my other stuff. I see Target has the iPad with Retina display on the cover of their current ad at $499 with a $40 gift card. When I was doing my undergrad education I worked at T-2, Targets second store! They had 5 stores back then.

My MacBook still works just fine for other operations.

 

[robert blu]

My i.mac 24 (matt screen) is 6 1/2 years old. Planning to change in a few months, when my ideas about what to buy will be more clear!
robert