How Long Do Business Laptops Last? Signs For An Upgrade

Business-grade laptops typically offer a three-year warranty. When buying a business laptop, you want to know that it will last so you don’t have to go through the hassle of changing your laptop every now and then.

According to experts, a laptop’s lifespan is three to five years, it may last more than that, but its usage will be basic as the parts become less effective in conducting elaborate applications.

Business laptops are built to be workhorses and are built to last.

Hats off to the laptop manufacturers; devices are now more compatible and dependable than ever regarding battery life, OS updates, and upgradeability.

When determining a laptop’s longevity, it is important to note that many factors can influence it. Let us find out how long a business laptop lasts and how usage, cost, brand, and technological advancements can affect the life of your business device.

Determining the Lasting Power of a Business Laptop by Usage

Personal laptops used for moderate activities such as browsing the internet and doing basic tasks will give you steady use for 3-5 years, while a more costly business laptop used regularly has a standard durability of 5-7 years.

The lifespan of a laptop may be reduced if you have to perform heavy tasks that require more advanced computing power, such as gaming. For example, gaming laptops may need replacement sooner than the laptops business professionals use.

Regarding 2-in-1 laptops, their lifespan is shorter, with most experts evaluating they can last between 2-4 years. This is because validity is affected by the capability to customize components and the service quality it undergoes.

Customizing the laptop or changing the keyboard or display in case any button breaks or the laptop’s body is cracked by usage, you can elongate your business laptop’s lifespan. 

Determining the Lasting Power of a Business Laptop by Cost

When determining a laptop’s lifespan, the cost is a huge factor. Pay $2,500 or above, and you will get a business laptop that can easily last you for seven years. Pay more than $3,500; that laptop could last up to 10.

So, the better you pay for sturdy hardware, the more chances your business laptop has to last. 

A Windows or macOS laptop’s durability will depend on how long it will stay compatible with the tech world.

For example, a low-cost laptop will probably have a less powerful CPU, RAM, graphics card, and memory, which will determine the lifespan of your laptop, along with the brand name.

On the other hand, battery life has much to do with the manufacturer, battery quality, and autonomy, and expected life cycles are less affected by cost.

Determining the Lasting Power of a Business Laptop by Brand

It is a general observation that laptops that are higher in price tend to withstand longer than those that are low-cost.

The reason is that when we invest in a laptop from a good reputable brand that is more expensive, we pay for the high standards and quality features the brand stands for. The hefty price we pay for name-brand manufacturers, such as Apple, Microsoft, Dell, Acer, HP, and gaming laptops like ASUS, are known for their quality and durability.

Another important point is that where you get features like longer battery life, quality, and upgradability when you buy a good branded business laptop, it does not necessarily increase the life span after use for a certain time frame. Because even the branded laptops, after a few updates, cannot comply well with all the recent developments in business machines.

It is well-known that name-brand laptops like Apple, Microsoft, Dell, Acer, and HP, tend to last longer than others if used with little care.

Laptops from compelling name brands also last longer than those from lesser-known manufacturers. These include 2-in-1 laptops and those that run Windows and Mac OS.

Determining the Lasting Power of a Business Laptop by Technological Advancements

Another factor to consider is that technology constantly advances, and software updates are released regularly. These updates may require the latest hardware, which may need an early upgrade or replacement of your laptop.

Regularly upgrading software and hardware and keeping the machine away from dust and elements can help extend its lifespan, but only before a significant technological advancement terminates the compliance of these developments.

Longevity Analysis of Different Business Laptop Brands

Now let us know the longevity of different business laptops brands like HP, Dell, Apple, Acer, Lenovo, and ASUS and a few of their drawbacks.

HP

Despite HP providing so much value for its customers, the longevity of HP laptops is compromised as some laptops have a core i3 processor that, after some time, doesn’t perform well when multitasking because the other components used are very high quality. After some time, the HP laptops don’t comply with updates and are prone to breakages.

Dell

The only issue buyers might have is with the budget models, which must be operated carefully as they are inclined to break easily, causing expensive repairs and replacements. The premium models of Dell laptops have superb build quality, but the ones that are bulkier and have the plastic build crack very easily.

Apple

If yours is a growing business with a lot of file sharing involved, it might be a hassle to use Apple laptops in the long run. With so much to offer and people preferring Apple laptops, the only setback for businesses is that Apple devices are not the choice if your work demands a lot of file sharing. Regular file sharing can be a sore thumb, especially if your business runs on a split environment with both Mac and Windows. This issue is also in the works, but for now, it is a step down for Apple laptop users for business purposes. 

Acer

Acer is leveling up its business laptop game, but the overall issue with most laptops is durability, as they are slim and easily breakable.

Lenovo

Despite being pricier, Lenovo laptops are hindered by upgradability issues, meaning that users may need help to upgrade the RAM or other components of the laptop if they plan to make Lenovo laptops last. Lenovo laptops with pre-installed software can be difficult to revamp and may slow the laptop’s performance and longevity.

Signs For Investing in a New Laptop

You could get a few more years out of your laptop with minor issues, but your laptop might give up on you completely sooner or later. If you invest in quality, you can rely on your laptop for many years, but when it shows signs of slowing down, it is time for a new one.

Here are some telltale signs that your business laptop is giving up, and it’s time to change it.

1. Everything Gets Slow

When your laptop starts to slow down on even the basic applications, which take forever to open up, or it takes hours to boot, it might be time to upgrade to a newer model. Slow functionality is the first and foremost sign of your laptop giving up.

2. Latest Operating System Can’t be Installed

When Microsoft or Apple releases a new operating system, the minimum supported specs are always turned up a notch. It makes your computer feel modern, and the upgrades are generally worth it. If your laptop cannot support the latest operating system, it is prime time for an upgrade.

3. Your Laptops Display is Haywire

If you have to concentrate while looking at the screen or fix your laptop’s visual settings often, chances are your laptop’s display is failing you.

Laptop screens are more prone to breakage than their desktop counterparts.

4. Regular Crashing

Laptop crashing happens to a select group of people who require a laptop upgrade.

You can solve the issue of a crashing laptop by updating the drives sometimes, but mostly failing hardware, overheating, and incompatible drive is the cause of a crashing laptop. 

Viruses can cause crashes, too.

5. Battery Doesn’t Last

A failing battery is the one huge sign you are up for changing either your battery or your business laptop. If you need to keep your laptop plugged into the charging source, you should consider upgrading or replacing your current battery.

Ending the lifespan of a laptop has everything to do with how it’s used, but you can take plenty of steps to extend your laptop’s life.

And if you already have a business laptop, here are 9 best practices to make your business laptop last longer

What is the longlasting business laptop brand?

All top industry laptop brands are almost equally reliable, as their estimated breakage rate by the end of the 2nd year of ownership is around 20-22%.

Dell and Lenovo laptops seem more durable and long-lasting, while HP ones experience motherboard issues that are hard and expensive to repair.

Apple has much to offer regarding longevity and portability and is loaded with built-in features that meet any business need, whether a small entrepreneurial venture or a large company.

As a business user, you must also be at par with all the necessary knowledge to make your business laptops last.