IT basics
How long should a work laptop last?
A laptop that still turns on is not necessarily still worth keeping. The real cost of an old computer is often hidden in lost time.
1 min readExplainer
The short version
Most business laptops give good service for a few years. After that, repairs, slowdowns and lost time usually cost more than replacing them.
A common rule of thumb
Many businesses plan to replace laptops every three to five years, and desktops a little less often. The right number depends on how hard they are used and what software they run.
Signs it is time
- The warranty has ended, so repairs are paid out of pocket.
- It can no longer run current software, or the operating system is near its end of support.
- It is slow enough that people wait for it several times a day.
- The battery barely lasts away from a desk.
- It has needed more than one repair in the past year.
The hidden cost
A slow computer that wastes ten minutes a day costs far more in wages over a year than a new laptop. Old computers also tend to fail at bad moments, and some security features need newer hardware.
Repair or replace?
Repair makes sense for newer machines with a single fault, such as a cracked screen or a failed drive under warranty. For machines near the end of their planned life, money spent on repairs is usually better put toward a replacement.
Plan it
Replacing a share of computers each year keeps costs steady and avoids a crisis where everything fails at once. (Read more.)
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