how long does a computer last?

Question

i have had my dell for about two years, i went to turn it on today only a black screen with written came up telling me to contact support. we have run test since 8:30am it has just complete (stilling not qorking but the test came back saying that something is wrong with the hard drive. is this computer worth keeping or buying a new one cheaper?

Answer 1

hard drives have a life span of maybe 3-5 years. sometimes less, depending on use, and environmental conditions.



Motherboard/processor/ram will last 10+ years.

A new hard drive is relativity cheap like 50-75+ dollars depending on speed, and size.



The question you need to ask yourself, is your computer fast enough for what you do. If all you do is email, internet, and some word processing. then a 2 year computer is worth getting a new hard drive for.

If you want to play new games, run heavy computing programs (3d content creating, cad, scientific stuff, databases, etc). then you might want to get a new computer.

Since a new computer will do those tasks much quicker. And time is money when the computer is your business tool.



Don't listen to those nay sayers. I'm not a big fan of dell, but they make an ok machine. They use generic parts, most computer companies use generic parts. I've seen dells that are 7+ years old run perfect with brand new hard drives.

Answer 2

Built mine 5 years ago, put in a new hard drive last month upgraded from a old 80GB hard drive to a new 250GB as its the slowest part of a computer a new one can make a big difference, hard drives are the first thing to go but should last at least 5 years.



My dad bought his computer 8 years ago and it still works fine the case has not been opened since he bought it, today's computers are more complicated and therefore more fragile so newer PC's probably won't last as long.

Answer 3

10 years

Answer 4

Probably best to take it to a computer store, ask them to find out what's wrong with it and quote you a price to fix it. They shouldn't charge much for this, you can then decide if it's worth it to get it fixed, or better value to buy a new one.



As for how long they last, there's a lot of luck involved, however keeping the inside clean and dust free to improve cooling doesn't hurt. I've had mine 5 years now, with not a single serious problem. Just waiting for something to happen though, everything fails eventually :(

Answer 5

Supposedly Technology is outdated every six months, so they say anyways, but two years is a long time to have a computer and not have it upgraded, i suggest you save up some dough and find yourself a new one, Dell is a good company and ive used them for many years.

Answer 6

1) Dell is the shoddiest computers... Prob another year

2) If it IS NOT a Dell and you have proper cooling it'll last you years...



My computer for example is going on 5 yrs

Answer 7

Keeping it and fixing it would be cheaper but if you don't like it then you can buy a new one its all up to you. If worse comes to worse a new HD is like $100-200. So all up to you.

Answer 8

In the government they swap out every three years.

Answer 9

I think it would be worth keeping it and just buying a new hard drive. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098. This 320gb is great @ $69.99 + free shipping.

Answer 10

my dell laptop broke within three months. dell sucks get gateway or something.

Answer 11

computers can last for years.