What is the typical useful life of your PC? ... 1, 2, 3+ years?

[The Bob]

Well I guess it's operator error. I came in one morning and my computers had been updated to Win 10. News to me. Anyway, all my fonts and screen resolution was all screwed up.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

I think this computer is about 6 yo. I had it built with Core i5 processor, max RAM, video card so I can run 3 monitors, SSD for C: and a larger HD for D: and my data. Did what I could to future proof the beast. Have not had any hardware problems, it still works fine and reasonably fast. software problems, well there is no escape from those, is there?

I have a backup computer that is slower. No plans to get another at this time.

 

[Addie]

Depends on the OS

A Windows PC, 3 yrs before it bogs down.

An Apple PC even running in parallels, 7 yrs or so.

Can’t speak on a Linux PC.

 

[Overimprovement]

Cheap $500 laptop I am typing this on--5 yrs and running strong, used every day for everything. My last laptop lasted 11 years. My wife's desktop, which is used almost daily, and was a gasp--Emachines el cheapo--is going on 13 years, still running Win 98!

Maybe its the websites you frequent...

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

We got rid of our Emachines a few years ago.
Iirc, it was getting too slow.

 

[Deleted member 152047]

3 years is about the max useful life for a work computer. I have a 5+ year old laptop that was formerly a work computer that my son uses to play games. It isn't good for anything except that.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

3 years is about the max useful life for a work computer. I have a 5+ year old laptop that was formerly a work computer that my son uses to play games. It isn't good for anything except that.

I guess you can double down on quality and future proof that bee atch, or double down and buy a new one in half the time.
Or maybe I have just gotten lucky. I am still using a camera that is 12-13 years old. I got it when I was bank staff and they called life of a camera 3 years, then you got a new one.

 

[Deleted member 152047]

I guess you can double down on quality and future proof that bee atch, or double down and buy a new one in half the time.
Or maybe I have just gotten lucky. I am still using a camera that is 12-13 years old. I got it when I was bank staff and they called life of a camera 3 years, then you got a new one.

Do you use a desktop Lee? I can make a desktop last forever if I build it, but I typically have laptops for work and they just give up after a few years. Or, maybe I am just working too much.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

See post 12, yes a custom built desktop that I paid something north of $1000 for, forget if that included the 3 monitors.
I mostly maintain it by myself, but would not try to build my own system.
Three 19" monitors beats hades out of a laptop. I have no laptop computer.

 

[Deleted member 152047]

I have 3 monitors set up through a docking station. Just need the laptop for travel.

Building one is easier than you think and upgrading one that you have built is nice as you can switch out the processor every couple of years and don't have to spend more than about $150-200.