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The durability of a laptop depends on a lot of factors. Additionally, it is essential to note that this question takes two different forms:
- How long can a laptop last?
- How long can a laptop battery last?
So if you landed on this page, trying to find an answer to the questions above, you’re in the right place.
We will answer the original question in two different sections. In the first section, we will focus on how long a laptop can last, and then in the second section, we will answer the question of how long can a laptop battery last.
What’s the Durability of a Laptop and After How Long Should Replace Them?
Some factors determine how long your laptop will last before you think of replacing it. These factors include:
- The type of hardware used on your laptop.
- What you intend to do with the laptop – tasks.
- How you handle your laptop will also factor in.
Now that you have a rough idea of what those factors are let’s look at them one-by-one.
The Hardware Used in a Laptop Determines its Durability
How long a laptop can last will depend on the hardware used to build the laptop. The hardware comprises all the elements of a laptop.
So if your laptop has got a decent processor, the most recent graphics card and more RAM, then your laptop is more likely to have a longer lifespan.
So yes, the more expensive your laptop, the longer it is likely to stay or remain more relevant to you. The summary below shows how long a laptop can last depending on the price it cost:
- A laptop that costs $700 and below is likely to spend between 2 and 4 years.
- A laptop that ranges between $700 and $1000 will remain relevant for between 3 and 5 years.
- Laptops that cost $1000 and beyond can last up to 7 years.
And that’s the summary of a laptop’s lifespan, depending on the cost. But how you use your laptop also determines how long it will stay.
The tasks you intend to do with the laptop
More demanding tasks such as gaming, graphic design, computer science, video editing or even data science can cause a significant decrease in your laptop’s lifespan.
In contrast, less demanding tasks such as web browsing, watching videos, and writing are likely to enhance the shelf life of your laptop.
So, how long your laptop is going to remain relevant is highly dependable on the tasks you intend to perform and the in-built hardware.
An above-average laptop should last up to 5 years, but your usability will determine all this. And yes, how careful you are with your laptop is another factor to consider when enhancing your laptop’s shelf life.
The treat you give to your laptop will determine how long it remains relevant
Like we mentioned before, more demanding tasks are likely to interfere with your laptop’s shelf life. And because the jobs are hefty, the chances are that your laptop’s charging jack will be worn out.
Reason? You continuously overcharge your laptop and sometimes, even forget to unplug the charger once the battery is fully charged.
Also, your laptop’s lifespan could be cut short due to improper care such as picking up the laptop using its display or opening the hinge with too much force.
Most importantly, manage the charging process at all times to keep your laptop in shape for years. Below are some of the hacks to enhance your laptop’s lifespan.
How You Can Increase Your Laptop’s Durability
- Unplug your laptop’s charging cable when it’s fully charged.
- Clean up your laptop periodically to ensure that no dust or foreign materials get into the system.
- Leverage laptop cooling pads to ensure that your laptop always operates at low temperatures.
- Keep away any foods or liquids to minimize the risk of them spilling on your laptop.
- Protect your system by using an antivirus.
- Feel free to upgrade your laptop when necessary. For example, you can top up your RAM or SSD.
What’s the Lifespan of Gaming Laptops?
For less heavy tasks such as browsing the internet, watching videos or sending emails, even low-budget friendly laptops can last up to five years.
However, if you intend to use your laptop primarily for playing games, then you should expect your gaming laptop lifespan to be shorter.
And with the advancement of technology, more modern games are emerging, which means your laptop will need more advanced hardware to run these games.
That said, mid-range budget laptops may only remain relevant for a few years. The more you spend, the more you should expect it’s life expectancy to be.
All the same, you can use the summary below to guide you, depending on the budget you’re willing to put into buying a new laptop:
- Gaming laptops that cost below $700 should last for around 2 to 3 years.
- Gaming laptops that range from $700 to $1500 will most likely last for 3 to 4 years.
- Gaming laptops that cost $1500 and more should last between 4 to 6 years.
This is just a general view of how long your laptop will last. If you intend to play games using the best graphics, then you should start planning on getting a better laptop or upgrading it, depending on your budget.
How long can a laptop battery last on a single charge?
Again, your battery life will depend on the kind of tasks you intend to carry with your laptop. But for the question “how long can a laptop battery last”, we’re going look at it in two perspectives:
First, how long can a laptop battery last on a single charge? And Second, how long can your laptop remain active before the battery completely dies.
The standard single charge duration for a laptop
The standard single charge duration will depend on:
- The quality or type of the in-built battery.
- How you handle your laptop.
Usually, the quality of the laptop battery is determined by the price. If the laptop is expensive, rest assured of a quality battery. Sadly, not all-powerful laptops come with excellent batteries, which is why you need to do an in-depth search while checking out for the reviews before you can buy one.
Generally, the average single charge life expectancy for a laptop ranges from 3 to 8 hours, depending on the tasks you intend to carry with the laptop.
If you’re operating on a gaming laptop and you’re spending most of your time playing games, the chances are that your laptop battery can last up to 3 hours. In such a scenario, you need a highly-powered laptop to withstand the pressure.
For less demanding tasks such as web browsing and sending emails, a laptop with a battery life of up to 5 hours is a good bet. Fortunately, you can also get laptop batteries with up to 12 hours charge duration at affordable prices.
The life expectancy of your laptop battery is another critical consideration when buying a new laptop. The battery life duration is excellent when the laptop is barely brand new but will decrease over time after extended use.
Enhancing the average single charge duration of your laptop
- Reducing the screen’s brightness.
- Lower the amount of time when your screen is active.
- Open a minimum amount of programs at a time.
- Keep browsing tabs to a minimum.
- Opt for headphones rather than the laptop’s speakers.
- Turn off your laptop’s internet when not in use.
- Keep the heat to a minimum using a laptop cooler.
- Unplug the charger once fully charged.
What is the lifespan of a laptop battery last
Generally, a laptop’s battery lifespan should range from 300 to 500 full charges. However, this will depend on the type and quality of the battery.
Remember, this number is only applicable to full charges, meaning that if you back up your battery when it’s 30 percent, that doesn’t count as fully charged, but rather 70 percent until fully charged.
So, there is no ultimate answer to the question, how long should a laptop battery last. Just keep in mind that the more you use the laptop, the more it needs to be charged. And the more you subject it into charging, the shorter the life expectancy of your battery.
Meanwhile, you can check out for the ultimate tips above to help you prolong the battery life of your laptop.
Im using HP Probook 470 G2 for more than 3 years.
I’m curious for those who are giving dates for laptops performance seriously where those data come from 😀
As per my experience, it totally depends on the usage. How you use it and how long you use it in a day.
Btw love your article.