Over 4.9 billion people are using computers in everyday life; this forms part of a steady year-on-year 6.2 percent increase.
Computers are here to stay. When computers go wrong, they impact everything in our lives. So when should you consider buying a new computer?
Whether you just use your computer for sending the odd email, looking up a few videos, or you run your home business from it, you will have to consider replacing a computer at some point.
There are several reasons why you may be considering buying a new computer. Perhaps it’s slow, not powerful enough, or just based on old technology, you will want to upgrade your old device.
If you’ve not shopped for one for a while, then you’ll find there are so many types of computers on the market. But how do you know which computer replacement is best? Read on to find out.
When Should You Buy a New Computer?
Your computer lifespan is only finite and as much as you might be putting off replacing your computer, it will get to the point where using it becomes more of a frustration and a hindrance than a useful tool. Below are some of the telltale signs that you need to upgrade your machine to something newer:
- If your machine has poor performance and is slow, sluggish, or hangs mid-process
- If your machine is overheating for no apparent reason
- If your computer freezes or won’t boot up
- If you have hardware issues
Poor Performance
If your computer is beginning to show signs of failure or has become slow and sluggish, first try to investigate the cause. It could be as simple as needing to run an update on a piece of software.
Other causes could be that your CPU may be overworking and burning out due to the increasingly higher demand for CPU power from new software and apps.
If you’re using lots of cloud-based software, this too may be pushing the limits if you’re using an older computer for these tasks.
Before you look into purchasing a new computer, you can try and free up disk space. There are free programs like CCleaner that help to remove any unnecessary programs and files from your computer.
These may help to improve your computer’s performance and efficiency. However, if you’re still not seeing much improvement in your computer’s performance after this, then it may be a key indicator that it’s time to upgrade.
Overheating
If your computer is constantly overheating, it could be time for an upgrade! An overheating machine is usually caused by your CPU being overloaded from running multiple programs.
You can help minimize this issue by running only one program at a time and limiting usage of CPU-intensive apps, but if you’re a heavy user and need to work with multiple programs at the same time, then this may not suit your needs.
Another cause of overheating is down to poor maintenance. Make sure that your computer is in a well-ventilated area, never obstruct the cooling vents, and frequently dust the vents to prevent internal dust build-up.
If you’ve already tried to repair your computer and move it to a better-ventilated area and it still continues to overheat, then you might want to consider buying a new one.
Computer Freezing or Not Booting Up
The dreaded blank screen or spinning icon can be a sign of excessive CPU load or insufficient random access memory (RAM).
It’s incredibly frustrating when this happens, especially if you’re in the middle of something important such as work or a college assignment. It often results in the computer freezing or locking up, requiring a reboot and any unsaved work being lost in the process.
To prevent this from happening, optimize your computer by running system cleaning software to help reduce the strain on your CPU and RAM by clearing any unnecessary and unwanted files. If this still isn’t helping, then you may want to upgrade your computer.
Hardware Issues
Software requirements are becoming ever more demanding, and if you’re currently using an old computer, the hardware on it may not be able to keep up.
If you’re trying to avoid purchasing a new computer, you might want to consider replacing hardware components such as RAM or graphics cards. If you’re finding your computer is running slower than usual, RAM is the most logical piece of hardware to look at upgrading first.
Most computers have free ports available to accept extra RAM, and this can help improve performance and speed up the system. Other components you could look at replacing are the sound or graphics card, upgrading the hard drive or processor, or adding additional memory.
The cost and benefits of refurbishing an old machine should be considered when deciding whether to replace or upgrade it. When you purchase a new computer, it will come with the latest hardware and software. However, if you’re on a budget, you may want to try and refurbish your old machine first.
Ultimately, you need to weigh up the costs and advantages of refurbishing an old machine or purchasing a new one.
Different Types of Computers
One of the things to consider when buying a new computer is what type you want. Here are the main categories of computers available:
Desktop Computers
These are the most commonly used computers and are found in homes, offices, and schools. They are typically the largest of all types of computers and are designed to be used in a stationary location.
Laptop Computers
Laptops are portable computers that are designed to be used while on the go. They are typically much smaller than desktop computers and are powered by rechargeable batteries.
Tablet Computers
Tablet computers are touchscreen-based devices that are designed to be used while on the go. They are typically much smaller than laptops and feature a much wider range of applications than traditional computers.
Need Help Buying a Computer?
If you’re undecided about repairing an existing machine or buying a new computer, then speak to Fruit Fixed. Our team of knowledgeable technicians will be able to answer any questions that you might have about your old computer.
They will provide detailed information about whether it’s worth repairing your computer or if you should bite the bullet and purchase a new one. Speak to our knowledgeable staff today to get impartial advice.
