When to Buy a New Laptop (Hint: It’s Cyber Monday!)

Introduction

If you’re gearing up for the thousands of deals hitting the internet on Cyber Monday, you’re not alone. Shoppers spent more than $9.4 billion dollars on Cyber Monday in 2019.

Should you join the masses of online shoppers this Cyber Monday to purchase a new laptop? It depends.

Check out this guide to learning when to buy a new laptop and how to compare features.

How Often Should I Buy a New Laptop?

Laptops usually last around 3 to 5 years depending on the model you choose. Craftsmanship is key when it comes to laptop longevity.

Models made from flimsy plastic and cheap parts won’t get much use beyond one or two years. These are the models you find at a steal on holidays like Cyber Monday.

But spending a few pennies on a laptop means you get what you’ll be replacing the device relatively quickly. The only reason to buy a new laptop is to maintain consistent performance during everyday use.

Laptops can last beyond five years but many start failing at tasks you need for everyday computing. For example, your memory might fail to make it difficult to store any more documents on your machine.

If you’re only using the laptop to browse the internet, you might be able to continue using your laptop without worry. But most people use computers for more than simple internet access.

Aim to replace your laptop computer every few years to get the best experience out of your machine.

When to Buy a New Laptop

You’ll know when to buy a new laptop because you’ll no longer be able to perform basic computing tasks. Once your everyday routine gets disrupted, you’ll want more reliable options.

Here a few common ways to tell it’s time to buy a new laptop.

Power Button Malfunction

You press the power button and the laptop barely registers a response. This is one of the best ways to tell your laptop is dying.

Yes, there are repair options available but by the time your laptop stops reacting to power, it’s usually a good idea to simply get a new laptop. There are a few exceptions to this rule.

For example, you can only make this decision after you’ve fully troubleshot the power issue. There’s no reason a laptop you bought a year ago should have a power button issue.

Make sure you’ve tested the laptop’s power cord to make sure that it’s not the issue instead of the laptop. Try swapping out the power cords and letting the device charge for an hour.

If the power button still doesn’t work, you can try another working outlet in your home.

The laptop is Too Hot

If your laptop is too hot to sit on your lap comfortably, it’s a sign of heating problems. Most older laptops have heat related problems because the internal components are starting to burn out.

The stress from years of usage can’t be reversed by simply replacing certain parts. In fact, most of the parts causing the heat issue aren’t meant to be repaired or replaced.

If you’re feeling a buildup of heat inside your laptop, it’s probably time to replace your computer. Cheaper laptop models might feel hot from the start.

This is usually due to a poor cooling system. The stress of the heating on your system’s components will soon create an issue.

Try cleaning out dust from the cooling vents to prolong the life of your laptop. This can help a relatively new laptop last slightly longer but there’s not much else you can do.

A poorly made laptop will soon need replacement if it’s overheating. The thermal damage spreads easily to nearby components within your computer.

Display Issues

Flickering screens are a symptom of age. There isn’t much you can do to repair this issue but you can help your own sanity by replacing your laptop.

Other display issues that might reveal when to buy a new laptop include physical damages. Cracks or black lines through your screen display can be harmful to your eyesight.

It’s cost effective in the long run to simply buy a new laptop if you aren’t able to fix the screen. Some models are easier to repair than others.

Mac computers are known to have components that are easy to repair or replace. But a PC doesn’t always come with that level of flexibility.

Keyboard Malfunction

Consider getting a new laptop when your keyboard starts to malfunction. Certain keys might go dead temporarily or fail permanently once your laptop gets old.

It’s a pain to try and work around these malfunctioning keys especially if your computer is used for work. Know when to buy a new laptop so you don’t sabotage your professionalism by trying to navigate work documents with a broken keyboard.

Tech Protection

Sometimes your work computer is far too expensive to tote around while traveling. Instead of risking the chances of it being stolen, it might be necessary to get your own laptop computer.

You should always have a personal computer even if your job provides top of the line tech. This helps you reduce the chances of anything happening to your laptop while its in your possession.

One liquid spill or drop could render the machine useless keeping you from accessing important files when you need them. Get a second laptop that you can use that won’t be attractive to thieves while you’re out in public.

Make sure the laptop you purchase is easy to replace in case anything happens to it. Some manufacturers offer extended warranties so that you have added protection against loss or theft.

Make use of a cloud document storage so you never have to worry about losing your information if it has to be replaced.

SSD Upgrade

Gone are the days when laptops had to rely on hard drives to store information. Between cloud storage services and solid state drives (SSDs) laptops now have a faster, more efficient way of handling your information.

If your laptop still uses a hard drive, you might want to consider upgrading to a machine with a more secure storage solution. The SSD performs much faster than a hard drive.

It’s also less likely to have physical damage than a clunky hard drive. Some newer model computers still have hard drives, but the majority of cutting edge models released today use a SSD to help improve the overall performance of your laptop.

How Much Should I Spend on a New Laptop?

It’s hard to predict the exact amount of money you’ll need in order to get a good value on a laptop. Like hairstyles, they’re all very different.

No two laptops will provide the same level of convenience because there’s trade offs with every machine. You have to stay focused on your practical needs in order to find the right laptop for you.

It’s easy to be seduced by Black Friday Sales and Cyber Monday deals the promise you the latest and greatest technology. But htis technology might not provide your most basic computing needs.

Start with your everyday laptop use and upgrade features from there. None of your upgrades should sacrifice having speed and reliability on the functions you need the most.

That said, what’s a good price on a laptop? That depends heavily on how long you want it to last.

Expect a lower priced laptop to last only a couple of years. Mid range laptops last around three to five years while top of the line laptops have been known to last upwards of 10 years.

How you care for your laptop matters. If you’re going to invest in the best technology, make sure you’re taking care of your machine by keeping it dust-free and protected by a quality case.

Use antivirus software. Stay away from liquids and food when using your laptop.

These are just a few of the ways to prolong the life of a quality laptop. When you’re ready to explore or upgrade your laptop, check these out.

The Bottom Line: Should I Buy a New Laptop?

Knowing when to buy a new laptop can give you access to the best prices. Black Friday and Cyber Monday both show promise once your computer fails or shows significant wear and tear.

Don’t try pushing your device until it completely dies or you’ll risk losing important information that’s not easy to recover. Buy a new laptop and get a reliable option that keeps your files safe.

Avoid getting lost in fancy features that don’t suit your everyday computing needs. Start with a list of basic tasks you complete everyday on your machine.

This is the foundation for what you’ll look for when shopping for a new laptop. Every other feature you add on is icing on the cake if it still fits within your budget.

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