How old is your computer?

[Jerry1]

My computer was bought at the end of 2012 so it's almost nine years old. It works perfectly fine for the things I do (surf, email, simple spreadsheets . . .). I timed it the other day and I can push the power button and have ER.org up in less than a minute and that includes me typing in the main password to unlock the machine at start-up. I don't figure a new machine getting me here in 30 seconds or less is going to make it worth it for me to upgrade.

However, with Windows 11 coming, I'm wondering how long I can rid this machine. My understanding is that they'll only support Windows 10 through 2025. So of course I have plenty of time. But in the meantime, I'm wondering how old others have gone and still have a useful machine.

Useful to me means that you can get on the internet and perform typical tasks. Not an old machine that you have maintained for a specific purpose - like running Quicken 2000 or some such single use task.


ETA:

I have an i5-3450S (4 core/64 bit) 2.80GHz processor with 16GB ram and a 250GB ssd. I also have a 1TB internal data drive. The thing I really like about my machine is that it has no fan. It was custom built and the case is small but it's aluminum and is basically a heat sink. The thing I would like is to upgrade the graphics to 4K but I can't really say it's worth it for what I use the machine for (no photo editing or video/movie watching).

 

[Sunset]

I built mine in 2012 and installed Linux on it.
It does everything I need, including running virtual machines for development.
It has an old processor AMD® Fx(tm)-6100 six-core processor × 6
It has 12 GB of memory.

I've thought of upgrading and getting a 4K monitor, and video card, but haven't found the need yet.
I did upgrade the HD to a large SSD.

I think computer power has outstripped the needs for most folks, many just buy for bragging right.

 

[monte1022]

I'm running a Win10 Jan 2013 HP h8-1360t with 3 monitors. Upgrades so far include more RAM 32gb, 1 tb SSDs x 2, higher end video card, better network card, wireless mouse/keyboard. It makes me sad that I will have to give up what has been a very reliable machine. Just recently I ordered a replacement for my sometimes loud power supply fan, but still haven't had to install. I guess I will finally get to build my own as I did for my daughter last year.

 

[W2R]

I bought my high end Dell laptop from Amazon on 9/9/2020. So, not only does it have more bells and whistles that I could ever want or need, also it will be less than a year old for another couple of days.

When Windows 11 comes along, I will try to do the upgrade. However I do remember that the Windows 10 upgrade was harder for most people to deal with, than just buying a new computer with it pre-installed (which is what I did because I was ready for a new computer).

So, if Windows 11 gives me any trouble, I'll buy a Dell Windows 11 laptop! That is, assuming that the chip shortage doesn't get any worse.

In case you hadn't figured it out, I get a big kick out of buying a brand new slick-as-snot kick-a$$ computer with all the very latest bells and whistles, and playing with it. I do this every couple of years. For me, I can't think of any better way to spend my money than that. YMMV and probably does!

P.S. - - Frank likes this too, because guess who gets my laptops when I buy a new one? He does. Obviously a good match.

 

[Bamaman]

My current Dell laptop is long past its prime. I'm missing the R key, and a screen gasket's hanging down. I lost the hard drive earlier this year, but that's no big deal since I don't store anything of much worth on it. I have no idea how old this machine is, as I bought it refurbished. When you have 4 people in a family, you're more apt to buy older refurbished laptops to save money.

In looking online, I can see Windows 11 will require substantial hardware upgrades in order to take advantage of all its features. I'm in a holding pattern to buy a completely new Windows 11 laptop when the system comes in later this year.

Now if we could just get this internet to quit going in and out. It's fast--at least when it's working right. Unfortunately the cable tv company is our only available wired internet in our rural neighborhood.

 

[DrRoy]

In the 80's I had a computer go 9 years. Since then 6 has been the best. You are doing well.

 

[FLSUnFIRE]

I'm at about 9 years on my current PC. If MS makes my hardware obsolete, it will likely be the final straw that will drive me to an Apple product.


I have an old Sony VAIO 2006-7 maybe that I installed Linux on. I'm not a computer geek so really don't do anything with it but use it for playing online card games and any searches I want semi-anonymous or the rare time I want to go to a site I don't completely trust (still going through my home network and I notice ads follow me so I'm not fooling anyone!). I'm debating buying a new battery for it and actually using it for simple spreadsheets and browsing outside the house.

 

[njhowie]

I have 5 of those i5-2xxx/i5-3xxx machines and an i7 version - all Lenovos. I love them as they are workhorses and they are the only machines I've bought over the past 10 years. I purchased the last one for $69 - because I needed a machine with Win 10 when Intuit announced Turbotax would require it. Among the 6 machines I'm running Win Server 2003 R2, Win 7, Win 8, and Win 10. I won't upgrade the OS on any of them unless I have a specific need to, regardless of Microsofts plans.

If I do need a machine with Win 11 on it, I'll do the same as always - just buy a refurb with it pre-installed.

I think computer power has outstripped the needs for most folks, many just buy for bragging right.

Completely agree.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

I tend to buy a new computer about every 3 years (give or take). I use 2 computers -- desktop and laptop (for travel). So I alternate buying them. So each computer is replaced about every 5 or 6 years or so. I like to somewhat keep up with the latest/greatest when it comes to computers and devices. I consider it a hobby.

 

[njhowie]

In the 80's I had a computer go 9 years. Since then 6 has been the best. You are doing well.

I have 3 Dell/HP Pentium 4 machines running Windows XP that are probably 15 years old and get periodic use. They all have specific XP requirements which I need and I have no reason to give them up.

 

[marko]

Timely. Just ordered two new Chromebooks today.

I recently learned that our two 6 year old Chromebooks have a 'life' where, after their next security update they are no longer supported.

Because we use them mostly for banking/investments and spreadsheets/surfing I go for the cheaper ones. I'd rather pay $250 every few years than higher end.

 

[Kerfuffle]

I buy a new computer every 3 to 5 years. To answer your question though, so long as the old computer is working, I'd say it's fine to keep using up until the day the manufacturer stops supporting it and issuing security updates. That holds especially true for phones too. No reason to openly invite hackers and other malware to invade.

 

[jim584672]

i5 2500K is circa 2011, and i7 4770 is circa 2013, both run fine, see no reason to upgrade.

 

[scrabbler1]

I bought my current PC in early 2012 but I had to replace its hard drive in late 2016 because it had begun to fail (physically, not due to virus or malware). It came with Windows 7 although I had done one of those free Windows 10 upgrades in 2015. As long as it runs fine with its newer parts and OS, I'll keep it.

The PC, from Acer, replaced a Gateway one I got in late 2001. That PC got off to a rough start, having to replace its hard drive and motherboard a few times (all under warranty) by early 2003. It had Windows XP the whole time.

So, I got 10 years out of that PC and have had my current one for nearly 10 years.

 

[aaronc879]

My laptop is 6 years old. I am having issue with the charging port. I have to wiggle and adjust the cord to get it to charge. I'll be looking for a new laptop by end of year. I think 6 years of all day use is pretty good for a $600 laptop.

 

[pb4uski]

Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 700 purchased in January 2017 for $570... the Miix was Lenovo's response to the Microsoft Surface... probably the best laptop that I have ever had... no fan! and good battery life.

I did have to buy a new keyboard last week. We returned from a trip and my 5-t-g-b-6-y-h-n keys would not work, but a new keyboard did the trick. Since the Miix has a removable keyboard it was an easy $70 fix.

Plenty good for what I do these days.

Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 700 - 12" 2-in-1 Laptop/Tablet (Intel m5, 12 8GB SDRAM, 256GB SSD, Windows 10)

 

[Ready-4-ER-at-14]

Most of our machines are around 5 yrs old or the cpu and motherboard are. Almost all our desktops are in upgraded cases with front loading hard drive swap bays.

2 laptops, 2 desktops linux. 1 desktop, 1 laptop win 10. 1 desktop xp (only for old windows games even though linux with wine runs most of them)

The only reasons I keep win 10 is for the specific antivirus, vpn, and tax software used.

I'll delay computer win 11purchase about as long as i will delay next car purchase. Hear prices will be jacked up for at least 1-2 years still. Although I might replace one laptop with a win11 machine if machine with 250 gb SSD drive gets back to $400-500 and blows the socks off of what we have now. Sadly I foresee no noticeable improvement not even re energy usage.

 

[easysurfer]

I own too many computers. The main computer I use is a Dell Optiplex 980 midtower.

I don't know the exact year it was released as I bought used. Gone are the days I buy new. I prefer to buy used and fix up to to my own preference.

That last couple of replacement computers I bought was due to Microsoft changing systems (Win XP to Win 7, Win 7 to Win 10) and making the previous systems no longer supported on that PC. I expect that may happen again with Win 11. I had a PC with no OS that would run Win 10 but was cheaper for me to just get the Optiplex 940 used with Win 10 already installed.

As for the laptops I own, that's probably a separate discussion in itself .

 

[Aerides]

My PC is a 2014 build, but the HD is newer. I'll probably get a new PC in the next couple of years, but waiting on the chip situation to stabilize, and new graphics cards to become not the newest ones, more down to earth in pricing/availability.

My main needs in a desktop are gaming.

 

[Dawg52]

Timely. Just ordered two new Chromebooks today.

I recently learned that our two 6 year old Chromebooks have a 'life' where, after their next security update they are no longer supported.

Because we use them mostly for banking/investments and spreadsheets/surfing I go for the cheaper ones. I'd rather pay $250 every few years than higher end.

My Chromebook is 3 years old I think. No more Windows computers for me.

 

[ERD50]

My 'daily driver' is a Lenovo laptop that I use as a desktop, purchased April 2014, so over 7 YO and I have no reason to replace it. I put 14-04 Linux (Xubuntu) on it at the time, now on 18-04. Works just fine, recently added a 24" 16:9 external monitor, and Linux plays nice with that.

My second machine is an E-Machines from 2010, that was the first that I used Linux on as my main machine at the time (experimented with Linux on a little netbook in 2009, and that is still in use). Unfortunately, the back-light driver went out, and I need an external monitor to use it. The driver is only ~ $20, but not such an easy task, and I'm not sure I want to bother for a 12 YO machine.

When I have time, I will replace my daily driver, and then re-purpose that as my '2nd machine' to replace the E-Machine with the burnt out display.

-ERD50

 

[T-Minus]

I’ve got 3: main desktop was built in 2016-2017 and is running an i7-7700k Kaby-Lake processor (32GB RAM, (2) 2TB SSD’s) and thus, not eligible for any Win 11 upgrade. It’s my daily driver and runs anything I throw at it. Laptop is a 2015-2016 Dell XPS13 with an i7-65?? Skylake CPU (16GB RAM, 2TB SSD) and also isn’t eligible for a Win 11 upgrade. However, it is on its’ THIRD battery which, like the others, is now showing signs of swelling to the point where the keyboard is rippled and the trackpad is pushing up and out! I’ll replace the entire unit soon. Backup computer is an Intel NUC with an i7-6600 Skylake processor (32GB RAM, (2) 512GB SSD’s) and, like the others, is not eligible for a Win 11 upgrade. It’s my backup/standby system and, before I built my current main system, was the star of the show.

IF I could reliably run Linux on my systems, I’d likely switch to Linux Mint, but I require MS Office products to be 100% and cannot make-do with Libre Office or running Windows in a VM (I’ve done a test run with both and…no). I might consider one of the new Mac’s if they’re compelling AND if Apple renounces its’ plans to install spyware on their devices using CSAM victims as human shields. But for now, I’m stuck with Win 10 - albeit with reduced/eliminated telemetry.

 

[street]

My Toshiba was new in 2012 and have had no problems. It serves the purpose for what I need it to do. I am running W10.

 

[braumeister]

I get a new one every 3-4 years. Since my first one over 40 years ago, that adds up to quite a few!

 

[target2019]

My desktop is Dell XPS 8700 with 16GB and spinning disk. I bought it new in early 2015. As you'd expect it's starting to feel too slow...