How long will a Laptop survive?

[RCBH928]

While I know desktops survive a very long time, and its internal parts are replaceable, This is my first laptop I bought in mid 2009. Its 2GHZ core2duo(macbook) and 2GB RAM. I will upgrade the HD and RAM soon, but I was wondering if it was worth it because I get the idea that laptops do not live very long, they kind of start dying in 4 years, which keeps me left with only 2 more years.

When should I expect to change my laptop?

[D.D.D.]

If it was a non-Mac laptop, I'd say replace the HDD with an SSD at some point but I don't know if that's an option for the Macbooks.

[Jamisonia]

Macs do not make it easy for their stuff to be user replaced.



The last part. "The best part about a Mac is upgrades, its so easy. With a PC you have to open it up, and change video cards and jumpers, with a Mac you just throw it away and buy a new one!"

[CRTGAMER]

A replacement laptop is usually a cheaper route over an upgrade. A Mac laptop replacement might be pricey, so perhaps the upgrade might be cost affective such as a larger hard drive. Question is if you can use a standard notebook drive. If the laptop is well taken care of, then the battery will be what eventually gives out. I would weigh the cost of a replacement battery before putting too much into upgrades.

[Hobie-wan]

As long as it doesn't get choked with dust or otherwise abused, usually the first thing to go on a laptop is the battery. I have an old one from 2004 that was given to me. I had to put a HD in it and the battery was toast, but it works fine otherwise.

[Croooow!]

I've had a Macbook since 2006 and I've had two batteries die. The CD drive also quit on me but that was because I wasn't too careful when it came to carrying it in my backpack. I think it should last longer than a couple of more years if you're careful.

[Hobie-wan]

Note that the above mentioned laptop was given to me with no HD in it, not that the drive had died.

[gtmtnbiker]

I have a PIII 750Mhz laptop from 2000 that still works fine.

[Hatta]

Until about 3 months after the warranty expires.

[AznKhmerBoi]

one major thing to keep an eye on to make your laptop last longer is keeping it cooled.
gpu & cpu