how often do you replace your laptop?
Jul 20, 2014, 10:42 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
You're just being spoiled. Make sure it has the latest & greatest updates for stuff that's running all the time (Windows, Flash, AV, etc.). Make sure to uninstall software you aren't using anymore.
If it seems a little sluggish, you may want to consider an OS reinstall (though that can be pretty painful, even if you have the original recovery disk). Another option to look at is perhaps upgrading RAM, or upgrading from a rotating disk to SSD.
If it seems a little sluggish, you may want to consider an OS reinstall (though that can be pretty painful, even if you have the original recovery disk). Another option to look at is perhaps upgrading RAM, or upgrading from a rotating disk to SSD.
Jul 20, 2014, 10:55 pm
#3
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,690
Depending on the specs. My laptop is 2.5years old and is still going good. I haven't reinstalled the OS (yet) but all my software is up to date. Only thing I may replace is my battery as its at 15% wear, but I may hold off till it gets to 20%
Jul 20, 2014, 11:45 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,702
Jul 21, 2014, 12:28 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
If it doesn't already have one, get an SSD. And maybe some more memory.
Then re-install the OS (regardless of whether you got an SSD or not).
And you won't know that you don't have a new computer!!
Then re-install the OS (regardless of whether you got an SSD or not).
And you won't know that you don't have a new computer!!
Jul 21, 2014, 3:07 am
#8
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Exclusively OMNI/PR, for Reasons
Posts: 4,188
I've managed to avoid the whole OS reinstallation issue by keeping it relatively "pure," installing only basic office productivity software in the host OS and all of my development environments, VPN clients, testing tools, etc. in virtual machines. Not only does it keep the laptop running well, it makes migrating to a new model a breeze. All of my VMs get copied over and I'm pretty much ready to go.
Jul 21, 2014, 6:15 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
At the time, it looks like the specs put it at a high end netbook/low end laptop.
Still, I'm not sure what recent software (other than games) would be straining the CPU. Lots of multitasking?
Jul 21, 2014, 7:58 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,785
So yeah I think it is time for you to buy a new one. You could turn your old netbook into some kind of media device for the TV. That's what my bother did with his old netbook.. install XBMC on it an connected it to the TV. It was fast enough to stream 720p videos.
Jul 21, 2014, 10:34 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LGA - JFK
Programs: UA, AA, DL, B6, CX, KE, Latitude, VIFP, Crown & Anchor, etc.
Posts: 2,589
Not a benchmark/index/score chaser on hardware - somebody out there always managed to get a better/faster mouse trap. For my needs, as long as I'm satisfied with the OS, which is mostly Win7 Pro/Ultimate and updated with the latest drivers/patch & Apps to run on, and there's at least 2 or 3 GB of memory and a good HDD, I'm good. Mod'd the Media Bay on 5 years old Dell Latitude with SSD card for a little extra boost, keeping the "junkware" out & clean, and it's fine for a while. Only the Intel wireless card got replaced (G to N)
As for replacing it, not planning to happen - got another (older & light) Dell Latitude running Linux Mint for "play" at home (optional - docking station for desktop use and 22" HDTV for multimedia
) Both Dells had its OEM batteries and 1 set of DIY hinges replaced.
It helps as the HDD were partitioned so it's easy to reinstall the OS & to run a full backup overnight to external drive first - only time consuming when not viewed as a weekend project while "grounded".
Almost forgot, 2 years old 11.6" Sony Viao, optimized for travel with (downgraded from Win8.x to W7U 64 bit, upgraded 8GB memory & 750 HDD re-partitioned (SSD upgrade planned) w. USB 3.0 & HDMI out, etc. A faster notebook will only yield marginal gains as it's not for gaming & graphics, and perfect when sitting in Y without an upgrade.
As for replacing it, not planning to happen - got another (older & light) Dell Latitude running Linux Mint for "play" at home (optional - docking station for desktop use and 22" HDTV for multimedia
) Both Dells had its OEM batteries and 1 set of DIY hinges replaced. It helps as the HDD were partitioned so it's easy to reinstall the OS & to run a full backup overnight to external drive first - only time consuming when not viewed as a weekend project while "grounded".
Almost forgot, 2 years old 11.6" Sony Viao, optimized for travel with (downgraded from Win8.x to W7U 64 bit, upgraded 8GB memory & 750 HDD re-partitioned (SSD upgrade planned) w. USB 3.0 & HDMI out, etc. A faster notebook will only yield marginal gains as it's not for gaming & graphics, and perfect when sitting in Y without an upgrade.
Last edited by Letitride3c; Jul 23, 2014 at 7:44 am
Jul 21, 2014, 10:38 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: NH Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 542
My Toshiba satellite (i5, 6gb ram) is about 5 years old ...I would love to keep it if I could figure out why it is just shutting down intermittently.
My research suggests that the fan needs cleaning. Will get that done if it is under $100 to hang on to this laptop.
My research suggests that the fan needs cleaning. Will get that done if it is under $100 to hang on to this laptop.
Jul 21, 2014, 12:41 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 21,544
Buy a can of compressed air, unscrew the access panels on the bottom of your laptop (keep track of all of the screws), find the fan, and blow the compressed air at it. I would recommend doing this outside.
Jul 21, 2014, 12:46 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: 10 months VLC, 2 months everywhere else
Programs: *A
Posts: 3,770
I would change my laptop every two years religiously, but I've been hanging on to this Lenovo ThinkPad for three years. Really don't want to get rid of it. Battery is dead, rubber parts have fallen off, but it still runs smooth as silk (and can handle Fallout 3 and Bioshock Infinite 
).
).
Jul 21, 2014, 1:04 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: KSUX
Posts: 906
I used to replace them every 2-3 years but now that the tech is pretty stable I usually keep them until they die. My previous MBP lasted 4 years and my current one is just under three. Unless something happens to it I figure a 2GHz quad i7 with 16GB RAM should last me quite awhile. Once 1TB SSDs drop a bit more I'll probably replace the internal drive with one.