How long do laptops last? How long should a laptop last? Is there anything you’ll be able to do to make one last longer? Let’s dig in so you’ll be able to make your laptop last as long as potential, and save yourself plenty of cash. Laptops are amazing and revolutionary machines designed to carry your work or play wherever you go.

That being said, the manoeuvrability of your super-compact office comes with an unfortunate lifespan compared to that of a hamster – approximately 3-5 years. In this article, we will discuss several factors from battery life to operational lifespan and useful lifespan.

How long do laptops last?

Battery Life

Your main power source and portability contribution of your laptop is, of course, the battery. This is more likely than not, the shorter lifespan within your laptop than the laptop itself. As time progresses, that ability for your battery to contain charge ends up regressing quite drastically.

In this case, battery replacements tend to be a must as most battery lifespans last between 18-25 months depending on how/how much you use your laptop. Luckily, there is a list of things you can do to help improve your battery life:

Dim your laptop’s screen. This is the largest power drain for most laptops.

Disabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Change power settings

Refrain from leaving your laptop on permanent charge

If your laptop permits, install a second battery

Switching to Internal Graphics

Memory management, SSD Upgrade

Operational and Useful Life Expectancy

Other than your battery life, there are a couple more things to discuss in terms of your laptop’s lifespan. The two types of life expectancies for your laptop is operational lifespan and useful life span.

The operational lifespan is a measurement of how long your laptop functions properly. The useful lifespan is how long your laptop will be able to run more advanced programs while meeting specific system requirements and specifications.

Furthermore, this means your laptop could function properly for a long time but may be less useful, obsolete even, to more contemporary programs. If your laptop is much older, it may have a tougher time keeping up with the race in terms of using high demanding programs and the effect on your RAM, CPU, and graphics card.

Expanding on Your Laptop’s Operational Lifespan

When it comes to operational lifespan, the main factor here is the type of components or hardware that’s inside your laptop.

In order for your laptop to remain relevant for modern tasks and programs, that depends on the quality of your processor, your graphics card, as well as the amount of storage space/RAM. Obviously, there is a price to pay if you want your laptop to last longer and contain relevancy.

From what we’ve discovered in terms of approximate price per time:

2-4 years costs $700 or less

3-5 years costs $700 – $1000

4-7 years costs $1000 or more

For gaming laptops

2-3 years costs $700 or less

3-4 years costs $700 – $1500

4-6 years costs $1500 or more

The Lifespan of Your Gaming Laptop



As we’ve previously explored, depending on what you use your laptop for, depends on the overall lifespan for there operational/useful functions.

Gaming laptops, on the other hand, require much more power and are all around more demanding if you’re a hardcore gamer. In this case, don’t be surprised that you notice your laptops life dwindling before your eyes.

We must also keep in mind that as time passes, modern games are increasing immensely in their graphics capabilities. Therefore, you would need better hardware to even be able to run them.

This, of course, all depends on what kind of gamer you are. For gamers that only like to play on the highest graphical settings, will require more extensive hardware.

Also Read: Best 2-in-1 Laptops Under $400



For gamers that don’t mind lower graphical settings, will most certainly have an easier time fitting in some extra years on their laptop.

Make Your Laptop Last Longer

Everything should last just a little bit longer depending on how you treat it. The same goes for your laptop.

If you want longer use out of your machine, there a few things to keep in mind.

Your laptop is vulnerable to internal overheating. Make it a goal to resist using your laptop on your bed, blankets, pillows, etc, as these types of surfaces don’t allow your laptop to “breathe,” if you will. Otherwise, the built-in cooling devices will be of no use.

Try looking into laptop cooling pads or even external cooling fans that your laptop can lay on while gaming or working.

Another way to prevent your laptop from overheating is to make sure it is as dust free as possible. By air dusting out your air vents with canned air, it clears a path for cool air to flow through.

Finally, we also advise that you obviously prevent dropping your laptop and/or spilling liquids on it. We assure that pouring water on your laptop will not cool it down.

What Have We Learned about how long do laptops last?

Take great care of your laptop whether it’s for casual use, specialized tasks, or for hardcore gaming! If you love your laptop, show them that you love them by upgrading storage space and/or hardware!

Make sure you keep it clean and give it a little bath once a month.

Ok, don’t dump your laptop in water, please. Just purchase canned air and blow out any dusty vents and cooling fans.

Also, always remember that time is money!

For laptops, money equals time.

If we missed anything about how long do laptops last, tell us about it the comments! You can also click here to check what’s the best ethernet cable to use for!!!

Also Read: How To Connect PS4 To Laptop Using HDMI Cable