How long did your desktop computer last?

[apirateslifeforme]

Mine is a Dell from 2005 (Windows XP) and I just rebooted it for the SIXTH time today because it locks up literally every 2 seconds. I've come very close to throwing it out the window lately.

 

[sorcerormickey]

Our 2005 Dell just had a hard drive meltdown - lost everything. We'll be shopping for a new one at tax refund time. Previous to that, we had a HP that was 8 years old before it got super slow and we replaced it.

 

[Adipoo]

Dell XPS that is around 5-6 years old. I use it for gaming, have upgraded components already and I'm not sure I want to put any more money into it for a new graphics card, power source, etc. So looking for a new gaming computer or will build one. This one has served me well though for the abuse I heap upon it, lol.

 

[mrodgers]

I bought my first PC in 1995. I replaced it in 2005 and just posted this on it.

If your computer is running slower, then you don't take care of it. There's a difference between a computer running slow and using newer software that runs slow on your computer. This PC runs no slower than it did in 2005. I just have some newer than that programs that I use that run a little slow on it, but they still are very useable.

The only thing I've done as far as upgrading this computer is putting a large 2nd hard drive in it and putting a network card in because we were hit by a power surge and the onboard network port was damaged. I wouldn't call the network card an upgrade though because it is probably 5 years older than the computer itself.

 

[usnuzuloose]

We bought a HP in 03 and it started acting up last year so it go replaced with laptops.

 

[cbg1027]

My desktop is an 8.5 year old Dell Dimension. Other than general computer maintenance, I upgraded the memory about 2 years ago....and it still runs great. It's not quite as fast as my year old Toshiba laptop...but, knock on wood, it's been a great, reliable computer and still seems to be running strong.

 

[pumba21]

My parents have a computer (their only computer) that has windows 95 on it if that says anything. My dad uses it to play games (not on the internet) and type word documents, but it's still kickin!!!

 

[sam_gordon]

I have a Dell desktop from 2007 (Windows Vista) that is running really slow, but **knock on wood*** it still is here. I use it because I read a lot of pdfs for work on it and I like the big screen.

So what is the lifespan of a desktop? I can't remember how long my previous one lasted.

Thanks!
karenos

I don't understand the bolded. Your monitor can be moved to a new computer and any computer (ok, 99% of them) can read pdfs. I can't tell if you're saying those reasons are why you're not getting another computer or that's all you use the computer for.

 

[karenos]

I don't understand the bolded. Your monitor can be moved to a new computer and any computer (ok, 99% of them) can read pdfs. I can't tell if you're saying those reasons are why you're not getting another computer or that's all you use the computer for.

Thanks for all the replies.

Just to add, I have a newer laptop (with Windows 7).
I keep the old dell around specifically for the larger monitor - I am aware that I can use the monitor with another CPU.
Thanks again,
karenos

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I believe our previous desktop lasted up about 7 years, maybe 8. It was an eMachine running Windows ME, I kid you not. It's sitting in the garage now, and I am consider running a Linux distro on it, but just haven't gotten around to it.

Our current desktop is a Dell Inspiron we bought in 2009, running 64bit Vista.

 

[mrodgers]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just to add, I have a newer laptop (with Windows 7).
I keep the old dell around specifically for the larger monitor - I am aware that I can use the monitor with another CPU.
Thanks again,
karenos

Are you aware you can plug the monitor into the laptop just like you do with the PC?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Let's see:

HP Desktop - Bought 8 years ago, still running, brother-in-law actually owns it now and outside of having to replace the power supply it's going as strong as ever.

HP Desktop - Bought 4 years ago, recently replaced, was gutted and all the insides were placed into a new case to become our Home Theatre PC, runs just like it was new and doubt we'll need to replace it anytime in the near future.

HP Notebook - Bought 4 years ago and still works as new, getting a little beat up cosmetically over the years, but works well.

Most issues with PCs are software and it's more because of users downloading and installing things they shouldn't rather than catostrophic hardware failure.

 

[momrek06]

10 years!!! I bought my DELL desk top in 2001! I replaced the monitor in 2005 with a more upgraded monitor that I could use as a TV as well as a monitor.

In 2011 (Jan) we got some adware virus and it just basically froze on us. It had been running slow for a few years but I really didn't care.

We bought an iMac in Jan 2011. LOVE IT!

 

[NikitaZee]

Ours was just replaced in 2010, after having our previous one for 6 years (Dell Inspiron). It started running slowly, then we got the blue screen of death a couple of times, so we just said the heck with it and got a new one.

 

[Jennasis]

Gosh..ours is OLD. Maybe 1999? We don't run windows though. We're a LINUX household. None of that nonsense here!

 

[snapppyd]

My Dell XPS410 with Vista will be 5 years old in February, works like a charm! No problems with speed or anything, and I use it everyday. I have iTunes installed with over 7,000 songs, thousands of pictures, etc. and no problems at all. Those who said your computer slowed down, do you run Piriform or something similar to get rid of all the tracking cookies? I run that every day.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Dell XPS from 2005 or 2006.... it's dying a slow death as we speak. Other than Windows Media Player... it's about useless.

 

[beaucoup]

With regular maintainence they have always lasted longer than I have wanted them too. At around 5-6 yrs, we hand it down to my dad and we get something newer due to technology improvements. He is still using our old one just fine for what he does on it. He had one that was 10 yrs old and we had to pry it from his hands. It had windows95 and he didn't want to learn XP. Sigh.

Our current machine is a 4 yrs old Dell XPS. No plans of changing for a few more yrs. at that time I expect same resistance from him taking our current machine because he won't want to learn vista.

 

[karenos]

Are you aware you can plug the monitor into the laptop just like you do with the PC?

Yes, I am aware, just lazy!

karenos

 

[136368]

MacBook Pro user here - five or six years and still lightning fast