My Compaq Presario computer is acting up and Im afraid its toast. I bought this computer 3 years ago and haven't had any problems at all. People are telling me that I need to buy a new computer because I've had this one too long. I was hoping to keep this one for 5 years minimum. What is the lifespan of a computer like mine?
Kevin T wrote:
My Compaq Presario computer is acting up and Im afraid its toast. I bought this computer 3 years ago and haven't had any problems at all. People are telling me that I need to buy a new computer because I've had this one too long. I was hoping to keep this one for 5 years minimum. What is the lifespan of a computer like mine?
This is just a hunch but it sounds like the lifespan of a computer like yours is around 3 years....
If you take it to a professional, the amount you pay for repairs would be a significant chunk of what it would cost to just buy a new one. If you know what you are doing (or have a kid who knows what they are doing), you could probably save it for a cheap price. Please, for the love of god, don't be that a-hole who goes to your "tech savvy friend" and says fix it... if you want that person to fix it, offer to pay them (at least $50 + any parts).
Nobody would accept that their TV broke down after 3 years, but with computers we have been fooled into thinking it´s normal.
If you bought the computer from a store, then yes, 3 years seems to be the limit. The hardware specs for store-bought computers are atrocious. They might try to fool you into think 500gb is all you need, but there is a lot more to computers than data storage.
I would suggest reformatting your computer if it's acting up/going real slow. Use Google to look for tutorials. Basically all you need is a disc of Windows (or whatever OS you are using) to reinstall it once you reformat. All of the junk will be erased from your computer and you'll start anew. I would highly suggest giving that a try before buying or building a new computer.
You might want to buy an external hard drive to back up all your data before you reformat.
Reformatting might sound scary, but as long as you read the tutorials and have a disc copy of your OS, it'll be the best thing you can do.
My experience is generally 5 years on a desktop and 3 years on a laptop.
There is more than one issue. In your case, some part or other sounds like it is breaking. In some cases the market simply outgrows your computer's capabilities--it no longer has adequate RAM or something. I have an old desktop that I am extending the life be getting rid of Winblows and installing Ubuntu.
I'm at about three years on this mbp, and it runs brilliantly. Still 6+ hours battery life with a browser, iTunes, and a few other apps running.
In general, TV's don't have that many improved features that they would need to be upgraded after 3 years. As new (and arguably better in some cases) software comes out, the old machines cannot run it with the same speed, so there is benefit in getting a new computer every few years.
well. wrote:
Nobody would accept that their TV broke down after 3 years, but with computers we have been fooled into thinking it´s normal.
Malamute wrote:
In general, TV's don't have that many improved features that they would need to be upgraded after 3 years. As new (and arguably better in some cases) software comes out, the old machines cannot run it with the same speed, so there is benefit in getting a new computer every few years.
True, although I would point out that we have just been through a major upgrade cycle in TVs as people have gotten rid of perfectly functioning older sets in favor of new HDTVs. We might go through that again soon with 3D TV as well.
Kevin T wrote:
My Compaq Presario computer is acting up and I'm afraid its toast.
By "acting up" what do you mean? Most of the parts on the machine should be fine, but your monitor, disk drive, or CD/DVD could be wearing out.
The other really high possibility it you've sucked in enough dust, pet dander, hair, and other crap into it it's overheating. If it's making noises figure out what's making the noise and you may be able to fix it with a $5 can of compressed air.
Without knowing what you're talking about it's pretty hard to say the "lifespan". I have a Mac Mini in the next room close to 10 years old so 3 years isn't end-of-life but it could be end-of-useful-life. I have another Pentium 4 Shuttle in a box close to that age that works just fine, it just doesn't perform well for anything but browsing and email.
As others have said spending $200-300 bucks to fix a three year old machine doesn't make sense unless it's a high end one, and your average Compaq Presario isn't. If you're getting systems errors, etc, you could get a whole new lease on life with a backup, reformat, and reload.
Keith Stone wrote:
I have a Mac Mini in the next room close to 10 years old...
You do?
The Mac Mini first came out in early 2005. I would recommend to the OP that you not listen to someone who can't tell the difference between 6 years and 'close to 10 years' when asking about computer longevity...
I have a Dell desktop that I have had for ten years. It still works fine. I also have an HP desktop that I have had for about 5 years that also works fine. My laptops do not make it to 3 years. I have come to think of laptops as disposable items, because the technology advances faster than they wear out.
well. wrote:
Nobody would accept that their TV broke down after 3 years, but with computers we have been fooled into thinking it´s normal.
Mr. Obvious wrote:
My experience is generally 5 years on a desktop and 3 years on a laptop.
Racehorse wrote:
My laptops do not make it to 3 years. I have come to think of laptops as disposable items, because the technology advances faster than they wear out.
As far as laptop longevity is concerned, I think that there are a few factors to consider. If it originally had decent specs, is treated fairly well, and is primarily used for web surfing & office suite applications, it will probably last more than three years.
I have one laptop that's just under four years old: a dual-core 1.83 GHz machine with 2 GB of memory. It's running Windows 7 with Office 2007, and my wife and I both utilize it as the living room/family room computer... looking up things on IMDb while she watches TV, checking my e-mail, etc. It still works well!
3 years ...
Companies, ones that plan for these kinds of things replace ~1/3 ever year.
Anything more and you are living on borrowed time.
I have a manufacturer refurbished Dell laptop that was released five years ago and it runs fine.
Reinstall windows and go from there. Parts should be fine. I reinstall windows 2x a year and have had my desktop for 6 years, updating as needed. Good luck.
Linux will buy you 1-2yrs on almost any machine
There is an extremely steep learning curve tho...
Keith Stone wrote:
I have a Mac Mini in the next room close to 10 years old...
counter of years wrote:
You do?
The Mac Mini first came out in early 2005. I would recommend to the OP that you not listen to someone who can't tell the difference between 6 years and 'close to 10 years' when asking about computer longevity...
I read this as meaning he has a Mac Mini in the next room, close to something 10 year old. A 10 year what, is the real question here? Old running shoes is my guess.
My Dell desktop will be 9 years old in August. I've reformatted a few times and it still works great for web surfing, e-mail, music and standard definition movies.
well. wrote:
Nobody would accept that their TV broke down after 3 years, but with computers we have been fooled into thinking it´s normal.
and cell phones.