Off Topic - life expectancy of a laptop

[southwalker]

I read somewhere that the typical laptop lasts about 5 years.I have a
HP machine that is going to be there before long and am wondering
about a replacement.

The current machine is a 2.2 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3 GB of
memory and dual 7200 rpm drives. It has a 17" +- screen. It does what
I need it to do.

I am having some eye trouble and need a bigger screen and was
thinking about buying a monitor and wireless keyboard to use with it
but don't want to invest the money if the laptop is about done for.

What makes a machine give up the ghost. Aside from the drives, which I
have proactively replaced, what could go wrong to make it useless?

 

[Paul in Houston TX]

I read somewhere that the typical laptop lasts about 5 years.I have a
HP machine that is going to be there before long and am wondering
about a replacement.

The current machine is a 2.2 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3 GB of
memory and dual 7200 rpm drives. It has a 17" +- screen. It does what
I need it to do.

I am having some eye trouble and need a bigger screen and was
thinking about buying a monitor and wireless keyboard to use with it
but don't want to invest the money if the laptop is about done for.

What makes a machine give up the ghost. Aside from the drives, which I
have proactively replaced, what could go wrong to make it useless?

Depends on what its used for and how much.
Number one computer killer = heat, due to not being cleaned.
Keep it clean, Keep it cool, Keep it covered.

Laptop screens are lit with florescent tubes which
eventually go dim. The little flexi button contact
click things break. Buttons fall off and get lost.
Jacks get clogged up with dirt and loosen up.
Most people like to get the newest o/s made.
That often requires greater computing power
and more graphics power.

 

[SC Tom]

I read somewhere that the typical laptop lasts about 5 years.I have a
HP machine that is going to be there before long and am wondering
about a replacement.

The current machine is a 2.2 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3 GB of
memory and dual 7200 rpm drives. It has a 17" +- screen. It does what
I need it to do.

I am having some eye trouble and need a bigger screen and was
thinking about buying a monitor and wireless keyboard to use with it
but don't want to invest the money if the laptop is about done for.

What makes a machine give up the ghost. Aside from the drives, which I
have proactively replaced, what could go wrong to make it useless?

It may be that the technological life is five years, but I consistently got
the hand-me-downs at work, and some of them were well over five years old.
My current Gateway is closer to six than five, and it still runs just fine.
I think if they are regularly cleaned and maintained, they'll last you as
long as you need.

As far as what can go wrong, about the same things as a desktop; capacitors
dry out or burst, video chip goes out (at least on a desktop you can add a
new video card to replace the onboard video), a chip burns out on the MB.
Heat is the biggest killer of laptops, so if they are kept clear of dust and
aren't kept running at a high temperature (like it resting on your lap,
blocking some of the air vents), it should last a good long time. I don't
think you'd be wasting your money on a monitor and keyboard for the one you
have since it still does everything you need it to do. And if you do decide
in the future that you need a new laptop, you can get one with a smaller
screen because you'll already have a monitor

 

[BillW50]

I read somewhere that the typical laptop lasts about 5 years.I have a
HP machine that is going to be there before long and am wondering
about a replacement.

The current machine is a 2.2 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3 GB of
memory and dual 7200 rpm drives. It has a 17" +- screen. It does what
I need it to do.

I am having some eye trouble and need a bigger screen and was
thinking about buying a monitor and wireless keyboard to use with it
but don't want to invest the money if the laptop is about done for.

What makes a machine give up the ghost. Aside from the drives, which I
have proactively replaced, what could go wrong to make it useless?

My oldest laptop is from '84 and it is still working fine. Although it
does have the Y2K bug. LOL. I do have dozens of laptops over the years
and most of them keep running for decades.

Yes, some laptops only have an average life of about 5 years is true. A
number of reasons for that though. Some reasons are: poor design, poor
cooling, user blocking the vents, etc.

Wanting to buy an external monitor and keyboard to use with an older
laptop? Why not? As both will work on another computer as well. I use an
external monitor and keyboard with this laptop too. And I use them with
many of my other laptops also. No big deal.

 

[BillW50]

As far as what can go wrong, about the same things as a desktop;
capacitors dry out or burst, video chip goes out (at least on a desktop
you can add a new video card to replace the onboard video)...

Actually some laptops have replaceable video cards. I have five
Alienware laptops like that. Actually the five that I have support up to
two video cards per machine. And four of them actually do have two video
cards per machine. The fifth one has a second slot, but I am not
currently using the second video slot.

 

[Char Jackson]

I read somewhere that the typical laptop lasts about 5 years. ....
What makes a machine give up the ghost. Aside from the drives, which I
have proactively replaced, what could go wrong to make it useless?

Laptops get dropped, sat on, driven over, laundered, liquids spilled
on them, stolen, fallen off the roof of the car, dropped down the
laundry chute, peed on by the dog, and a host of other evils.

 

[Steve Hayes]

Laptops get dropped, sat on, driven over, laundered, liquids spilled
on them, stolen, fallen off the roof of the car, dropped down the
laundry chute, peed on by the dog, and a host of other evils.

Mine was stolen, for which I was grateful, as it was becoming unusable.

It was six years old and software "upgrades" were using more and more memory
until eventually the hard drive was churning all the time, swapping to disk,
and it took 28 minutes to boot and 7 minutes to shut down.

Now I'm having similar problems with my cell phone.

It tells me "Upgrades are ready", but then says there isn't enough memory to
install them. It tells me to move apps to the SD card, but when I do so it
says that none can be moved, because all the apps that can be moved are
already there. And the phone is only 6 months old.

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

I'd agree with whoever said technological life maybe (and see below),
but not necessarily hardware life. I have a Toshiba - I think it
slightly predates W95 (it doesn't have Windows keys, though it has four
extra buttons, which can be configured to use as Windows keys; I run
'98lite on it), and apart from not running on battery (which could just
be the battery), it runs fine.

I would have guessed the drives, but you're ahead on that.

Depends on what its used for and how much.
Number one computer killer = heat, due to not being cleaned.
Keep it clean, Keep it cool, Keep it covered.

Yes, clean meaning including all the places air goes in and out. I'm
assuming (a dual core processor machine, especially in a laptop, still
sounds quite modern to me: dual core processor, two drives, 17" screen,
must have cost a lot new!) it has dynamic fan control - do the fans
still switch on and off (or vary speed), or do they stay on all the
time? If the latter (unless you're in a hot place), then I'd suspect the
airways aren't as clear as they might be.

Laptop screens are lit with florescent tubes which
eventually go dim. The little flexi button contact
click things break. Buttons fall off and get lost.
Jacks get clogged up with dirt and loosen up.

Most of those can be replaced, though laptops are notoriously fiddly to
work on, and if your eyesight is going, you'd have to get someone else
to, which is expensive unless you know someone.

Most people like to get the newest o/s made.
That often requires greater computing power
and more graphics power.

That, I'm afraid, is the biggest "killer" of PCs )-: [laptop and
desktop]. But in this case southwalker says "It does what I need it to
do", so not the cause here!

However: southwalker: since the purchase of an external monitor would
tie you down anyway (I haven't seen any battery-powered ones, certainly
not bigger than 17"), you'd lose the portable aspect of the laptop
anyway, so if you do decide on purchasing something: look into
"all-in-one" PCs, rather than just a monitor. They come with pretty big
screens these days (some come with wireless keyboards; I'm sure all can
be used with them). They're basically giant laptops, just without the
battery facility, and with a separate keyboard. I. e., they're a big
screen with the processor and drives hidden behind it. (Often come with
TV tuners too.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

"Knowledge isnt elitist - that's rubbish! Why are we embarrassed by the idea
that people know things? It's not a conspiracy against the ignorant. Knowing
things is good!" - Jeremy Paxman, RT 14-20 August 2010

 

[Roger Mills]

I read somewhere that the typical laptop lasts about 5 years.I have a
HP machine that is going to be there before long and am wondering
about a replacement.

The current machine is a 2.2 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3 GB of
memory and dual 7200 rpm drives. It has a 17" +- screen. It does what
I need it to do.

I am having some eye trouble and need a bigger screen and was
thinking about buying a monitor and wireless keyboard to use with it
but don't want to invest the money if the laptop is about done for.

What makes a machine give up the ghost. Aside from the drives, which I
have proactively replaced, what could go wrong to make it useless?

That sounds like a higher spec than my 2-year-old laptop. I'd keep it if
it works ok.

I've also got a 10-year-old HP-Compaq laptop of much lower spec (running
XP) and that's still going strong - albeit being a bit sluggish by
modern standards.

I suppose a lot depends on how portable you need it to be. I only really
use my laptop in two locations - either at my main home or at my holiday
flat. I have 19" monitors and separate keyboards in both places, plus
separate printers/scanners, etc. - so just take the laptop with me and
connect it to the appropriate set of peripherals.
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

 

[TheGunslinger]

I read somewhere that the typical laptop lasts about 5 years.I have a
HP machine that is going to be there before long and am wondering
about a replacement.

The current machine is a 2.2 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3 GB of
memory and dual 7200 rpm drives. It has a 17" +- screen. It does what
I need it to do.

I am having some eye trouble and need a bigger screen and was
thinking about buying a monitor and wireless keyboard to use with it
but don't want to invest the money if the laptop is about done for.

What makes a machine give up the ghost. Aside from the drives, which I
have proactively replaced, what could go wrong to make it useless?

Any computer system is not "done for" until you can't do your work on
it.

I have some legacy systems going back to the 1980's. Point of fact, is
the newer systems can't run the software I use on those older systems.

As for the visual issues, I have a 32" HD TV 1080p that supports HDMI,
SVGA, S-Video, et cetera. You might want to consider an non-dedicated
monitor. Often, they are cheaper and just as good or better.

If you think in terms of versatility, you will save money and extend
the life of the systems you currently own.

My last set of laptops lasted over 7-years before they physically
developed signs of age by the grips for holding the monitor in place
began breaking.

Even so, these systems when restored to factory specs and software
were still valuable to pre-schools that were implementing programs for
their kids, and accepted as donations.

IMHO,

MJR

 

[southwalker]

I lost my original post on the group so I am replying out of sequence.

First, thanks to all for the comments. They were very helpful.

Yes the fans run and vary their speed.

After thinking it over, I have decided I will go ahead and price out a
monitor and keyboard and add a SSD while I am at it.

I made a comment about my eyesight and should explain a little
further. At 68 years I definitely need reading glasses and have a
problem with dry eye but what is really being a pain is that as my
eyes get tired I tend to hunch over toward the screen. I do some part
time consulting and spend 2 to 3 hours a day reading on the computer.
I do it all at one time as I also have some farm work to do and after
being hunched over for most of the time my back muscles really get
tight and painful.

A larger screen and wireless keyboard would allow me to lean back and
still work.

I can still use the laptop as long as I do it for a short time so I
want the portability for vacations and security, I never leave home
without it as we live in the "country".

Can I run the desktop with the lid closed and not have to worry about
over heating?



Wed, 01 Aug 2012 09:40:53 -0500, TheGunslinger

 

[TheGunslinger]

<SNIP>

I made a comment about my eyesight and should explain a little
further. At 68 years I definitely need reading glasses and have a
problem with dry eye but what is really being a pain is that as my
eyes get tired I tend to hunch over toward the screen. I do some part
time consulting and spend 2 to 3 hours a day reading on the computer.
I do it all at one time as I also have some farm work to do and after
being hunched over for most of the time my back muscles really get
tight and painful.

I hate to admit it, but I am in the same age bracket and have similar
issues.

The solution I chose is to get separate glasses for different usage.

I have a pair for regular reading set to a distance comparable to
comfortable reading and holding a book. (About 12-14 inches)

My second pair are set to a distance that I would normally have
sitting and using my laptop with/wout external monitor. (about 20-24
inches)

This permits me to sit properly, and I can still work for hours at a
time w/o discomfort except for my arse from sitting too long. LOL.

You might want to consider bi- or even tri-focals lense systems.

A larger screen and wireless keyboard would allow me to lean back and
still work.

I can still use the laptop as long as I do it for a short time so I
want the portability for vacations and security, I never leave home
without it as we live in the "country".

Can I run the desktop with the lid closed and not have to worry about
over heating?

The fans are geared to heat sensors inside the case, and not to
whether the lid is open.

So, yes, close the lid when not in use.

Also, this will save electricity because most laptops shut off the
monitor when the lid is closed. (Does not affect the external
monitor.)

And this will, also, extend the life of your laptop's builtin monitor.

TTYL.

MJR

 

[Stephen Wolstenholme]

You might want to consider bi- or even tri-focals lense systems.

Don't get varifocals. I found them to be a waste of money and have
reverted back to using separate glasses for close ad distant viewing.

Steve

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per (e-mail address removed):

What makes a machine give up the ghost.

At a local Micro Age store one of the salesman's spiel includes
the admonition that leaving a laptop plugged in 24-7 cooks the
battery and that the battery sb removed for such use.

Guy sounds earnest.

Would anybody care to comment?

 

[Stephen Wolstenholme]

Per (e-mail address removed):

At a local Micro Age store one of the salesman's spiel includes
the admonition that leaving a laptop plugged in 24-7 cooks the
battery and that the battery sb removed for such use.

Guy sounds earnest.

Would anybody care to comment?

I have Samsung laptop that has been plugged in most of the time for
three years. It still works on batteries when needed.

Steve

 

[Sam Hill]

Don't get varifocals. I found them to be a waste of money and have
reverted back to using separate glasses for close ad distant viewing.

To each his own, I suppose. I've had 'varifocals' (no-line variable
"bi"focals) for many years and I love 'em.

It may take a few days to become accustomed to them. It is simply a matter
of tilting your head up'n'down a bit for the different focal lengths. Look
out the bottom for the book, and through the lower middle for the computer
screen. Then a little more up for the dashboard...

Beats carrying around multiple pairs of glasses.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I hate to admit it, but I am in the same age bracket and have similar
issues.

The solution I chose is to get separate glasses for different usage.

I have a pair for regular reading set to a distance comparable to
comfortable reading and holding a book. (About 12-14 inches)

My second pair are set to a distance that I would normally have
sitting and using my laptop with/wout external monitor. (about 20-24
inches)

This permits me to sit properly, and I can still work for hours at a
time w/o discomfort except for my arse from sitting too long. LOL.

You might want to consider bi- or even tri-focals lense systems.

I generally agree with you and others in this subthread, but I recommend
against multifocal glasses of any sort for use at the computer.

At least, I don't like them. The reason is that to read the monitor I
have to tilt my head backwards to see through the lower portion of the
lenses. Ouch.

Like Stephen Wolstenholme, I don't like varifocal lenses, but I prefer
to have bifocals for the real (= non-computer) world.

 

[Paul]

Per (e-mail address removed):

At a local Micro Age store one of the salesman's spiel includes
the admonition that leaving a laptop plugged in 24-7 cooks the
battery and that the battery sb removed for such use.

Guy sounds earnest.

Would anybody care to comment?

The laptop battery charger switches off when the battery is full.
It has hysteresis, and will wait until a certain degree of
discharge has occurred, before "topping up" again.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_lithium_ion_batteries

There are strict rules about Lithium, because of the fire hazard.

http://www.theinquirer.net/img/9326/One-Dell-of-a-bang.jpg?1241332136

http://www.theinquirer.net/img/9327/Flaming-Dell.jpg?1241332136

They're working on it.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1561973/lithium-battery-fires-past

Paul

 

[charlie]

Per (e-mail address removed):

At a local Micro Age store one of the salesman's spiel includes
the admonition that leaving a laptop plugged in 24-7 cooks the
battery and that the battery sb removed for such use.

Guy sounds earnest.

Would anybody care to comment?

Laptops with NiCad batteries behave differently than similar ones with
NMIH or LiPo batteries. There is quite a difference in self discharging
over time, as well as run times. High end NiCads and NMIH batteries may
have a slower self discharge rate than other.

Any poorly designed charging system can cause premature battery failure,
as can extended periods of sitting on the shelf with or without being
plugged in.

I's been my experience that laptop batteries generally need replacement
one or more times during the life of the laptop. (If you really use the
laptop in battery mode.)

 

[Mortimer]

To each his own, I suppose. I've had 'varifocals' (no-line variable
"bi"focals) for many years and I love 'em.

It may take a few days to become accustomed to them. It is simply a matter
of tilting your head up'n'down a bit for the different focal lengths. Look
out the bottom for the book, and through the lower middle for the computer
screen. Then a little more up for the dashboard...

Beats carrying around multiple pairs of glasses.

Do you find that if you move your head from side to side, vertical lines
tilt one way or the other (parallelogram distortion):

+---------+
| |
| |
| |
| |
+---------+


+---------+
\ \
\ \
\ \
\ \
+---------+


+---------+
/ /
/ /
/ /
/ /
+---------+

I found this. It was VERY disconcerting. I tried the glasses for about an
hour at a time on several days - any longer than an hour without a break and
I felt very dizzy.

The shop where I bought them retested my eyes and retested the positions of
my pupils to make sure they were exactly at the centres of the lenses. No
fault found with the info they gave to the manufacturers. I'm not sure
whether they were going to check for manufacturing faults.

Luckily they had an offer that for the same price they would exchange a pair
of varifocals that they had prescribed for two fixed focal length glasses.
These are fine. It's a minor pain to have to keep swapping, though my
distance glasses are fine for using the computer and I only need the reading
glasses for reading a book (held at a closer distance than a computer screen
or keyboard) or for other very close work.