How long should a computer last?

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TechnoPro

Golden Member
Jul 10, 2003
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How long should a computer last?

As far as I am concerned, the answer is "until it fails or until the newer technology will be of noticeable benefit."

I get asked this question a lot on the job. People want answers in terms of years, not in terms of degradation, failure, performance benefit, or some other seemingly abstract concept. I used to say 3 years as this was my personal cycle for upgrading/replacing PC's and related gear. I then changed my answer to 2-5 years to reflect people on both ends of the usage and needs spectrum.

How would you answer the question?
 
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Slogun

Platinum Member
Jul 4, 2001
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You're right , depends on the useage. 3 years is still a good timeframe for business use I'd say.

My wife's computer however, which she uses for email/websurfing and photo management is going on 7 years after upgraded RAM, CPU and replaced hardrive.
 
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TechnoPro

Golden Member
Jul 10, 2003
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Originally posted by: Slogun
You're right , depends on the useage. 3 years is still a good timeframe for business use I'd say.

My wife's computer however, which she uses for email/websurfing and photo management is going on 7 years after upgraded RAM, CPU and replaced hardrive.
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After how many years did you do that major upgrade?
 
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Corporate Thug

Lifer
Apr 17, 2003
37,622
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my backup computer is approaching the third year and the only thing i changed was the mobo and and cpu because my bro put the cpu in the socket without a heatsink

i would say 3 years is even a conservative estimate
 
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Scifience

Member
Apr 13, 2004
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Mine usually lasts six months to a year without changing any major components (major components = motherboard, processor, video card).

My mom's usually lasts about two to three years.
 
AnitaPeterson

AnitaPeterson

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
5,989
490
126
2 years sounds about right. Based on my habits since 1997, I replace my desktops after 2-2.5 years of use...

This being said, I still have a P120 MHz Toshiba laptop, because I don't have any need for more portable computing.
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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Most non-mechanical components can last upwards of 10 years. I hardly ever think of upgrading unless something breaks.
.bh.
 
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Bovinicus

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2001
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Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Originally posted by: TechnoPro
Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
10-15 years.
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You being funny?
Click to expand...

Nope. I've got several machines still running from about 10 years ago.
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Systems can deifnitely last this long. There are far too many factors involved. I don't think any system should start having problems in as little as two years. Any system should be able to last a good 5 years regardless of usage. I leave my system on 24/7, and I used to overclock. It has lasted 3+ years thus far through various upgrades.
 
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n0cmonkey

Elite Member
Jun 10, 2001
42,936
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Originally posted by: TechnoPro
Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Originally posted by: TechnoPro
Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
10-15 years.
Click to expand...

You being funny?
Click to expand...

Nope. I've got several machines still running from about 10 years ago.
Click to expand...

Nice!

My question now is what do you do with them?
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Pretty much all they're good for. Education. ;)

They can do more, just not a whole lot can be done well. So they're perfect for learning various bits of software, networking, administration, etc on.
 
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n0cmonkey

Elite Member
Jun 10, 2001
42,936
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Originally posted by: Bovinicus
Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Originally posted by: TechnoPro
Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
10-15 years.
Click to expand...

You being funny?
Click to expand...

Nope. I've got several machines still running from about 10 years ago.
Click to expand...

Systems can deifnitely last this long. There are far too many factors involved. I don't think any system should start having problems in as little as two years. Any system should be able to last a good 5 years regardless of usage. I leave my system on 24/7, and I used to overclock. It has lasted 3+ years thus far through various upgrades.
Click to expand...

Really the only parts I worry about are the moving ones. Old 50pin scsi drives are fairly cheap though, and fans are a dime a dozen, especially in my house. :p Powersupplies can be a PITA, but there is always ebay...

And netbooting solves the hard drive problem really.
 
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tweeve2002

Senior member
Sep 5, 2003
474
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Most people get new compters every 3-4 years, or atleast upgrade at that point. The computer it self can run much longer I'll say 8-10 years min.

My dad still is running a P3 500Mhz and a friend of mine just replaced his P3 450Mhz.
 
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sharq

Senior member
Mar 11, 2003
507
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If telling someone in the corporate world, I would say 5+ years, and add that it depends on the purpose and usage.
As far as life of any computer, I would agree that it is untill it dies (literally).
 
Jeff7

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
19
81
Originally posted by: Scifience
Mine usually lasts six months to a year without changing any major components (major components = motherboard, processor, video card).

My mom's usually lasts about two to three years.
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Same here...though my mom's PC has been fine for about 2 years now, and it'll probably be fine for another 2 years, probably more. The most intensive thing she does with the computer is Scrabble. Or maybe Folding@Home.

Some things like fans may need oiling occasionally; other components may get replaced every few months. Some may last for years, like the floppy drive, the keyboard, and case. Other than that, it depends on how slow the system is for what I want it to do, how much it would cost to get it to where I want it, and how much money I've got available.
 
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Bleep

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,972
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Not a good question to ask on a Geek board. I just last month repaired a old SX25 Packard Bell for a woman that does nothing but E-Mail with her grandkids and great grandkids.

Bleep
 
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TechnoPro

Golden Member
Jul 10, 2003
1,727
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76
Originally posted by: Bleep
Not a good question to ask on a Geek board. I just last month repaired a old SX25 Packard Bell for a woman that does nothing but E-Mail with her grandkids and great grandkids.

Bleep
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Now that is somewhat of a relic... But given that womans specific usage patterns, there would be no great incentive to invest in new equipment. Not to mention the new learning curve and what not.

Out of curiosity, what was wrong with it?
 
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TechnoPro

Golden Member
Jul 10, 2003
1,727
0
76
Wow, I see a rather wide margin of answers here.

I'm curious about something. For people that lean towards the longer life span, has your 5 or 10 year old machine ever required an upgrade or repair?
 
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Bovinicus

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2001
3,145
0
0
Originally posted by: TechnoPro
Wow, I see a rather wide margin of answers here.

I'm curious about something. For people that lean towards the longer life span, has your 5 or 10 year old machine ever required an upgrade or repair?
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Usually the only things that ever die in my experience are fans and sometimes HDDs. CD-ROM drives seem to last quite a long time. HDDs do most of the time as well, but their failure rate seems to be a little higher. Fans are the worst. When you are like me and you keep your system on 24/7, your northbridge fan can die within a couple of years.
 
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Bleep

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,972
0
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Out of curiosity, what was wrong with it?
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The hard drive bit the dust. It was a Conner drive, anyone remember these? I really had to dig around to find my floppies with windows 3.1 .She was really upset that she lost all her e-mail addresses, I just told her when she gets a mail save the address.

Bleep
 
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