How Often Do You Buy a New Computer

I think it depends on what you do with it and how much you pay for it.

If you just use it for email, internet, maybe some word processing, etc. then I'd say you don't need to spend a lot of money on a big computer.

If you do lots of other stuff, even if it's just for a hobby, then you might need a bigger computer for the capacity (editing photos, graphic design, managing videos, etc.)

I think it depends on the computer. I've heard Macs last a long time but MAN are they expensive. My laptop was $400 (Toshiba dual processor) and I'm expecting it to last about 2 years.

I still have my 1st one from Christmas 2003 Compaq it is flat screen but with the huge back my speakers don't work can't get games to download,& now the CD player doesn't work.

Our desktop is 7yrs old.... My husband just completely revamped it with new software, memory, etc.

My laptop is 2yrs old.

I agree with the first poster, I wouldn't spend $300 to fix up an old laptop, you can find new ones for very reasonable (often under $400) that would be better.

It really all depends on what you use your computer for.
My hubby & I build our own.
If you went that route and bought everything brand new, it could cost anywhere from $350 to over $1,000.
If you just use your computer for internet surfing, email etc than you don't need that high powered of a machine.
If you or your hubby play computer games, the Online ones, You would need specific types of hardware to make your computer & game run more efficiently.
Since we build our own, we replace items inside as we need.
So I've had my case for over 7 years, I've replaced the power supply, motherboard, ram, harddrives etc whenever I needed better ones.

Also considering how fast technology changes it's not extravagant to get a new computer every 4-5 years. Again It all boils down to what you need to use it for.

I replace them when the old one crashes. I can't say I have ever filled a hard drive nor have I ever noticed a speed issue.

Computers are so cheap these days (and cheaply made I might add). Why throw good money after bad by fixing the old one? Plus most new computers have more speed and memory than the average user needs.

After my last crash and replacement I did learn an invaluable lesson. Keep a copy of all your important files on an external hard drive. That way you have everything when our computer decides to die and you don't have to pay $$$$ to have everything recovered.

4 years is probably an excellent return on a computer "investment" these days. I would cut my losses, buy an external drive, transfer all of your important files, and buy a new computer that suits your needs.

Good luck!

Technology changes so fast these days and four years is a good life for a laptop. If you can buy a new one for only $200 more than the cost to repair, then do it (assuming that the new laptop has all the bells and whistles you currently have, on top of more memory).

And here I was trying to figure out a way to "update" my 1995 Gateway 2000 (sounded so nice in 1995, 2011 not so much).
Turns out, it's a dinosaur, and even the school districts do not want it - for free.
I tried to update the Operating system from Windows 98 to.....well, whatever....turns out - no can do, since the updates I skipped are no longer available on the market, and you really can't skip over too many of them....Who knew?
So I took out the harddrive and drove the rest of it off to get recycled.
Then I ordered a new Dell with all the bells and whistles- for about a grand.
Half of what I paid for that dinosaur in 1995. Crazy huh?

Get a new one.

My husband is always updating our computer components so it's hard for me to say how old our 'computer' as a whole is. But I do know every year or two (at the most) they are pretty much out of date (if you want the latest/greatest/fastest, etc). It also depends on what you do - download/uploads, social networking or gaming/streaming movies/videos online that will affect how often you replace parts or the entire computer.

I had my pc looked at by staples and they said I needed a new mother board and it was cheaper to buy a new one. It would be $370 I think to send out or $270 can't remember but they would transfer from old pc to new. Turned out took it to another small independent repair shop and all I needed was the tip of my cord replaced so I am back in business. But they are cheap but then I think you have to add the programs in and that cost money for them. I got this rebuilt one a yr ago and love it but would be a new one rather then do that again. It was $350 and new ones cost that. G. W

Have you considered "defragging" the computer? Also, you might want to go through and do a really thorough review of all files on your computer to eliminate all unnecessary files, which suck up memory. Video & pic files in particular can use up a lot of memory. That might help in the short-term.

DH is a computer guy by trade, and so he rebuilds his computer about every 5 years, with one or two major repairs in between. He's rebuilt his current one 2x now. If you shop around, you can often find good sales on parts -- DH often buys his parts from New Egg (online), and sometimes from Micro Center which is a brick & mortar store.

I would say get a new one. 4 years is a long time for technological advancements. A new one would probably be lighter and faster.

Have you considered an ipad? The new ones run about $500 for the ones that don't require a service and they can connect to wifi if needed. My husband just got an iPad 2 and loves it for home activities. They are so light and compact. Of course I'm not sure what you use your computer for or what you keep on it, but it might be another option. I used to be a windows girl when I was a developer, but once you go mac, you don't go back! :-P

Good luck!

Four years is a pretty good lifespan for a laptop. If you can afford a new one, then I would definitely do it. Most computer techies would not recommend trying to update a four-year old computer. We use our computers a lot and have had to replace them about every three years. Some of your problems may be software related, so I would caution you about just transferring all of your info to the new computer. If you use the internet, then you most likely have had viruses and other problems.

After years of using PC's, I finally switched back to a Mac. They cost a lot more, but do not have nearly as many issues. I have had my Mac for a year and a half with no problems. Every PC that we have bought, has given us trouble within six months. I do not even need any kind of virus protection, because all viruses are written for PC's.

I think 4 years is a pretty average shelf life for a home computer. I think what many people don't realize is that when you buy a new computer, there is a chance that the new computer is already up to 2 years old in technology years. This is how retailers can offer cheap computers. Generally, the more you pay the more up-to-date the technology is. As for your old machine, it really depends. Is the RAM maximized? One possibility is also to buy a new (fast = 7200 rpm) hard drive, reload Windows and start with a fresh machine. Then by an external HDD kit and turn the old hard drive into a USB drive. This is how you copy your old data to the new machine too. I'm still chugging away on my HP laptop I got in 2002 - and paid $1,800!

I just bit the bullet and bought a new desktop computer after 5 yrs dealing with a hunk o junk. I am so glad I did. I bought the cheapest one they had on sale and it was miles above and beyond anything I've had before. They make leaps in technology daily.
I think you are not being extravagant to replace an old computer. Once you fix one problem, another will pop up and you are left with 4 yr old technology all band aided together with chicken wire and duct tape!

I have an almost 4 yr old Dell XPS M1210 Great laptop.

I did have an issue a couple months ago and my full service covered the issue. IF I had not had the full service, it would have been a $500 repair.

NO WAY, would I pay $500 on a repair for this 4 yr old computer. It would make more sense to upgrade to a better, faster laptop.

I paid $3000 for my laptop back then, it is loaded with great things. My hubby has a loaded Dell he bought at Best Buy and including the Black Tie package that covers everything and it was around $1700.

Our 16 yr old daughter has a Dell Latitude that is about 4 and it has been a great laptop for her. It should get her through high school and she will get a new one to get her through college.

No I do not think it is extravagant. You need to keep up with technology and unfortunately a 4 yr old computer is OLD technology. We upgrade every 4-5 yrs.

I update and repair mine as needed. I hate to buy new computers because I have to worry about transferring everything I have on the one I use over to the new one.

With laptops I have seen most people getting a new one every 4-6 years. We have had our Dell one for 4 years now, love it, planning on keeping it till it dies like the screen goes or needs extensive fixing. The hard drive is filling up so we are getting an external hard drive to hold all our photos and music. Also I do go through every few months, with hubby near by, and we remove anything that we no longer need (game, files and so on), this helps free up space.

My hubby and I are actaully talking about getting a notebook in addition to our laptop. So I guess getting something new for only $200 more then it would cost to fix something old I might do it, but only if I could really afford it (pay it off right away).

I hear that Best Buy recycles electronics, so if you do ditch the old that is what I would look into or keep it for parts if compatable.

My HP laptop was 6 this year and it was doing exactly as you say your HP is. I got a new one for Christmas, and oh goodness is it nice to have . I too put forth all the maintenance and repair that I could stomach on my old one until it reached a point of no return. :) I would get a new one.

I too would buy a new one. I donated my last two old computers to my kid's school (after thoroughly cleaning out my personal files). They use a computer guy to "fix" any problems with computer and then they are able to have more computers for the kids.

Good luck with your decision,
L.

i had my last laptop for 5 years. I am surprised it lasted as long as it did. Mine also was $1000, I got a new Sony Viao for $500 with twice the memory and ram. I would just get a new one. I LOVE MINE! I say get a new one and you'll love the difference between the two computers.