A number of new and improved laptops are in the mix right now. As laptop manufacturers prepare these new systems for market, buzz surrounding every new laptop offering is hitting tech sites across the world. Getting caught up in that buzz is an easy thing to do – especially when a new laptop comes with retina display, is lighter, doesn’t have a bulky optical drive, and is just better all around (really!). If you find yourself itching to buy a new laptop just because there are improved models on the market, go through this guide before you slam down your hard earned cash for the latest laptop model.

How Long Can A Laptop Last?

Everyone wants their laptop to last a long time. After all, laptops aren’t cheap. But, the reality is that a laptop generally only lasts up to five years (and that might be pushing it for some models). After the five-year point, things begin to happen to a laptop. Generally, the first “happening” you’ll see is the inevitable slow down. When a laptop starts to really slow down, there’s little you can do to stop it other than to wipe the system completely and start from scratch (a possibility, but not something that most people will want to mess around with).

In the eventuality that your laptop is older than five years, you may want to think about replacing it. That said, keep in mind that some laptops only last for three years, max. If you’ve begun to notice that your laptop is slowing down or that things aren’t running as they should be, replacing your laptop is not a bad idea. On the flip side, if your laptop is running fine and you just want that new display or color, buying a new system would be a waste of money – unless, of course, you manage to sell your older laptop, which might be a possibility if you have a system that’s actually worth something.

Is Repair a Possibility?

I’m reminded of an old saying that goes something like “penny wise and pound foolish.” That is to say that a lot of people will scrimp and save when it comes to certain items like laptops, but then these same people will spend way too much money (maybe more than the original purchase price) repairing that laptop. If you are sinking money into your system left and right, it’s time to buy a new one because you simply aren’t saving any money following this foolish logic.

But, on the other hand, if your laptop is less than two years old and is starting to have some issues, it might be better to repair that system – excluding the possibility that the repairs are more expensive than the laptop, of course. You can also add extra storage and memory to a laptop to make sure that it works longer. You can also bring your system to a repair shot in order to figure out what’s wrong with it. Go these routes first before buying a new one – just remember not to spend too much money on fixing up an old laptop!

Should You Buy a New Laptop?

The answer to this question really comes down to whether or not you actually need one and how much money you want to spend. Some laptops (like Apple’s MacBook Pros) simply last longer than others, so keep this in mind when shopping. If you’re going to buy a cheap laptop, expect that system to only last a few years. Do you need to have the latest and best new laptop? Not likely; but the day will come when you do need to upgrade.