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Computers don’t last terribly long. A couple of years in, you might start to notice degradation in performance. Or the latest and greatest will start noticeably outperforming your older machine. But what are the actual warning signs that you might need to replace your laptop?
Clicking / Grinding Noises
If you’re hearing clicking or grinding, then there’s some wear and tear on the mechanical parts of your computer. If you have a hard-disk drive (as opposed to a solid-state drive), then you could be looking at an imminent crash.
Verdict: At the very least, you want to get your computer serviced. They may just need to replace a part. But no matter what, clicking and grinding sounds are cause for immediate concern.
Overactive Fan
Your fan will kick in whenever you’re doing heavy computational tasks, such as converting files or playing graphically demanding games. But when your fan starts running more and more, it’s a sign that your computer is overheating more easily than in the past. If you’re handy, you can open up the case and spray out the interior with compressed air.
Verdict: An overactive fan is always a warning sign, but not a reason in and of itself to get a new computer.
Poor Battery Life
All laptop batteries start degrading over time. That’s perfectly normal, and batteries are one of the most commonly swapped out parts in laptops. If you plan on getting another couple of years out of your laptop, just swap out the battery.
Verdict: Expect poorer battery performance over time. Upgrade if you want or get used to using your laptop as a desktop. However, if you notice your battery swelling, you have an immediate problem. Puncturing a swelling battery could cause a fire. Take a laptop (or any other device) with a swelling battery in to get fixed right away.
Corrupted Data
If you have files you can’t open due to corruption, that’s a sign of a failing hard drive. You can always swap out your hard drive for a new one, but no matter what, a corrupted hard drive is serious. Back up your data immediately and try to solve the problem right away.
Verdict: If you’re seeing corrupted data and your laptop is relatively new (say, under two years old), then it probably pays to just swap out the drive. If your computer is older and you’re seeing corrupted data, it may be time to buy something new.
Random Crashing
Computers crash. That’s normal now and again. But if you notice an uptick in crashing, or if your computer starts crashing during routine tasks, you might be looking at more serious problems.
Verdict: If your computer is clean of dust and there are no problems with your power cord or battery and it’s still crashing, plan on getting a new computer soon-ish.
Frozen Pixels / Weird Screen Lines
If you’re seeing static pixels or entire lines across your screen, then you may have an issue with your graphics card, but it’s much more likely you have an issue with your screen.
Verdict: You can replace laptop screens, but they get more expensive the older your device. If you’re looking at more than $400, it’s time to do a cost/benefit analysis on a new screen for an old laptop versus a new laptop. Or you can use a peripheral screen and your laptop can become a desktop.
No More Software Upgrades
If you can no longer upgrade your OS—because the new stuff is beyond your old laptop’s capabilities and your old OS is no longer getting patches and security upgrades— congratulations: your hardware outlived its software. You’re now running the risk of your security being compromised and your programs falling out of date because you can’t use their upgraded versions.
Verdict: It’s painful to stop using a device that seemingly works well. But as your software goes out of date, it becomes less and less viable to use an old laptop. Demote it to non-essential tasks and get a new laptop.
