If you want to buy a new laptop, there are plenty of things to take into consideration. Sometimes it can become hard to choose a laptop because you might not know whether to select a Mac or PC. In addition to that, it is critical to prefer a laptop that can fit your needs and budget.
A few people might be wondering about: How long can this laptop work? How do I know when to upgrade or buy a new laptop? Even after purchasing it, many people tend to get into a situation where they would not know how to take proper care of the device to increase its lifespan. Make sure to scroll down to check out our full guide of computer lifespan and other essential details about laptops.
Mac Vs. PC: Which Laptop Is More Durable?
Mac vs. PC comparison has been going on for several years, and both Apple and Microsoft are trying to overpower each other by incorporating high-end and unique features. Have you ever wondered which one is more durable between Mac and PC? Here we will talk about some aspects of both Mac and PC to conclude the most durable type of laptop.
Mac Benefits
Macs are well-known to have high-powered graphic design and generally have an appealing visual. Some people prefer to buy a Mac because of its looks. Besides that, there are several apps and tools for graphic design that work only for MacBooks. Apple closely manages the software on its devices, including MacBooks, which is why there is less bloatware introduced on new systems.
Macs are likely to get new creations integrated into their design sooner compared to PCs. In addition to that, it is possible for Macs to read drives that are formatted for Windows. Plus, they can also modify Windows software into something which shows compatibility with OS X.
PC Benefits
One of the best benefits of a PC is the total expense. You can purchase high-end PCs at a much cheaper rate than Macs. PCs retain additional chances for touch screens. If you look at the touch screens of Windows 8 and Windows 10, you can see that they are durable. In addition to that, some PCs can transform into tablets, desktops can utilize touch screens, and you can use a tablet like a computer.
As for hardware, PCs possess the benefit of giving additional connection ports and different kinds of ports. Besides that, you can choose a system depending on the number and connection type. As it has various systems, another advantage of PCs is that they have more backward compatibility. It means that you can operate old versions of software or an OS on new hardware.
- Budget
Apple products are known for being expensive, so you need to spend lots of money to purchase a Mac. However, several students and business workers tend to buy PCs because they are available in different models at a much affordable price.
Winner: PC (affordable)
- Security Features
In general, Mac operating systems are relatively safer. It is because Apple retains broad control of both software and hardware. Due to that, it will be easy to carry out new security features in MacBooks than PCs.
Winner: Mac
- Design
When it comes to design, MacBooks and PCs have numerous differences. For example, Mac operating systems utilize soft edges and a consistent application on all apps. However, PC Windows is a little unsettled with UI, and it is possible to switch programs as well.
Winner: Both
- Software
PCs maintain additional software than Macs. It is easy to upgrade the PCs, and they retain extra options for various components. Even if the Mac is compatible with upgrades, it can only handle memory and storage drive modifications. If you are a PC user, you have plenty of choices to select from different processors, motherboards, graphics cards, storage drives, memory, video cards, and audio cards. Due to that, you can create a custom PC or modify an existing PC rapidly and effortlessly.
Winner: PC
- Voice Assistant
The PC Windows maintains a voice assistant named Cortana, and Mac operating systems retain Siri. Cortana came into existence after Siri with some additional features. However, Mac users are more beneficial as Siri is the same voice-activated assistant on various iOS devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, smartwatches, and more.
Winner: Mac
Coming back to our primary question: Which laptop is more durable between Mac and PC, it can be seen that both these laptops are the best in some aspects. However, PCs are more durable because they are primarily ideal for hard-core gaming than MacBooks.
The Average Life Of A Laptop
Generally speaking, the average life of a laptop depends upon several reasons. However, several laptops have an average lifespan of about three to five years. It might last longer than five years, but its usage may get limited because the inner and outer components will become less competent at operating developed applications.
If you have a high-end and expensive laptop model, you can expect it to survive for about 5 to 7 years. Like we said previously, sometimes it can work for more than seven years, but the span of duties it performs might become less. For example, the operating speed could decrease, problems with screen quality, speakers quality, and many more. It is indeed true that almost everyone wants to know how to increase the laptop’s longevity so it can operate as long as possible.
How To Increase The Laptop’s Longevity?
In order to increase the longevity of the laptop, you need to take good care of it. For example, try not to make any water or food spills on the device and never drop it down. Plus, try to prevent bumping the laptop into a wall or any other surface, which can cause apparent damage.
If you have used the laptop to complete a highly intense task, you may observe that it starts to overheat, which is not a decent sign to increase the laptop’s longevity. If possible, leave the device for some time after every high-intensity task. Besides that, it is better to curb the utility of laptops for performing constant high-power-consuming tasks. Remember to keep the device in a well-ventilated space.
Keep in mind that not only internal temperatures, but the change in outside temperature can cause harm to the device. If you have returned home after going out in the winter season with your laptop, wait for some minutes, and then you can use the device. By doing this, it will return to room temperature.
It is also quite significant to maintain the laptop’s screen. Rubbing dust off the surface on a regular basis will assist in deterring further destruction. When you shut down the laptop, make sure to clean it with authorized chemicals and wipes that are recommended for gadgets. Hence, by taking good care of the device, it will be easy to increase its lifespan.
In addition to that, battery life will also determine the average life of a laptop. Generally, if you have been using the laptop for about 1 or 2 years, it will begin to lessen the battery range. Due to that, it is crucial to enhance the laptop’s battery life, so its average life increases. Below are some tips which will make it easy to save the battery life of the laptop:
- Decrease the brightness level on the laptop’s screen whenever it is possible.
- Alter the screen time-out cadent to 1 minute from 5 minutes.
- Delete the extra browser tabs.
- Curb the total number of apps that you have been opening at the same time.
- If you are not using Wi-Fi, make sure to turn off the network and connection option on the laptop.
- It is best to choose headphones rather than the laptop’s speakers.
- Utilize a cooling pad that can curtail the likelihood of overheating.
- Keep in mind to unplug the laptop after it is fully charged.
How Often Should You Upgrade Your Laptop?
Unfortunately, there is no universal formula to tell how often to upgrade your laptop. However, you can determine how many times to upgrade the device based on the below factors:
- For what purposes do you use your laptop for
- Are you taking good care of the laptop
- How is the device functioning
If your laptop does not have any issues, it can properly work for about 7 to 8 years without needing any upgrades. However, if you like to use the latest programs and advanced software, it is best to upgrade your device once every three or four years. If you want to upgrade the laptop, you need to focus on a few specific components, such as a hard drive, memory, video cards, optical drive, and processors.
It will be easy to conclude when to upgrade your laptop by identifying the malfunction or the reason for the slow speed of the device. Besides that, based on the service of the laptop, sometimes you might find it hard to obtain the new components for upgrading.
Though hard drive upgrades are expensive, they are still beneficial. Many people often use this device to store images, video files, digital audio recordings, and many more. However, if you utilize the laptop regularly to store data, the hard drive space might get full easily. Due to that, it is best to upgrade the hard drive once every two years.
For memory upgrades, you can perform it when you feel that the laptop is running out of memory, for example, once in one or two years. In addition to that, memory upgrades are easy and cost-efficient. These upgrades can show huge variations in the laptop’s performance.
If you use the laptop to play games, you often need to upgrade the video card. Sometimes, a few laptops can not hold out the graphic needs of developed games or complicated programs, which is why it is essential to upgrade the graphics cards more often.
Nowadays, it is a bit difficult to discover a new laptop that comes with an optical drive. Hence, it is better to upgrade the optical drive of your current laptop. If you want, you can just purchase a DVD burner. Plus, it is easy to install this component which increases the functionality and speed of the laptop.
Upgrading the processor of your laptop is one of the hardest things, which also costs more. When you have to update the processor, you will need to upgrade other things, for example, memory, motherboard, and more. However, at some point in time, it might not be possible to upgrade your current laptop, which is why you need to buy a new one.
When Is It Time To Get A New Laptop?
If you notice any of the following signs, it is time to buy a new laptop:
1. Compatibility Issues
You need to get a new laptop if you encounter compatibility issues when you try to upgrade specific components related to performance or speed.
2. Battery Life
Another quick aspect that indicates you will have to buy another laptop is battery issues. Worn-out devices tend to lose battery quickly and take too much time to get fully charged.
3. Loud Noises
While operating the laptop, if you are hearing loud noises from the inside of the device, there might be a huge problem with the software. During those times, it is best to buy a new laptop.
4. Slow System
If your laptop is on the verge of breaking down, it will start to slow the processes, making it difficult for you to operate it. If you notice a constant slow down of the laptop’s performance and also a frozen screen, you have to get a new laptop.
5. Breakages
When you accidentally drop or hit the laptop to the ground, the device might get broken. Other things that can cause damage to your laptop are water spills, cold pressure, and blows. When these accidents occur, there are high chances that you might need to buy a new laptop because the old device might not work anymore.
6. Sudden Odd Behavior
If your laptop suddenly crashes, shows a black screen, or closes all the browsers, there is a huge problem with your gadget. Besides that, it is best to get a new laptop instead of upgrading the old one.
How Much Does A New Laptop Cost?
It is quite crucial to understand that the cost of a new laptop differs based on several factors. Some of those include an operating system, incorporated features, processor type, brand, screen size, and hard drive size.
If you are looking for the least costly laptops, then the total cost would be about $300. But, these devices generally contain a limited number of features and run at lower speeds. If you plan to buy high-end laptops, you can expect to spend up to $3,000. Besides that, you can acquire some high-quality laptops between the price range of $600 to $1,000. Besides that, these laptops easily offer adequate features without compromising on speed and function of the device.
In short, if you would like to get durable and functional laptops, you are likely to spend more money. Laptops that cost $700 or less can work for about 2 to 4 years without any big problems. If you bought a device whose price is $700 to $1000, it would operate for around 3 to 5 years. However, purchasing high-end laptops that cost more than $1000 will give you about 4 to 7 years of operating time.
Tips On Extending Laptop’s Life
- If you want to use your laptop for a long time, you need to use various tips in order to enhance its life span. Here are
- some of the highly effective tips and tricks that will help you to extend the laptop’s life:
- While buying a laptop, choose a model that is made of high-quality substances which can last for long durations
- Open up the laptop and make sure to clean, wipe it once in two or three months
- If the laptop is charged 100%, then turn off the switch and remove the charging cable
- It is better to utilize a laptop cooling mat so the device will operate at high speed at lower temperatures
- Whenever it is necessary, try to upgrade your laptop (for example, extra RAM, latest software, and more)
- Keep the foods and beverages far away from the laptop to prevent spilling
- Make sure to always use antivirus software
Bottom Line
At last, we have carefully curated all the essential information related to how long laptops last. To summarize this post, buy a high-quality, durable laptop, clean it regularly, update it whenever needed, and follow the tips to extend its life span. We hope our guide about the laptop’s lifespan and other relevant data is beneficial for you.
