If you’re considering replacing your old laptop, chances are that you could do with an upgrade. The problem is that laptops are not cheap. Rather, they’re an investment you only want to make when you really need to.
In the grand scheme of things, paying that money for something you will use daily for years to come is not that big a deal. But most people just don’t have that sort of money available, and starting a monthly payment plan does not feel great either.
However, sometimes you have no option but to replace your old laptop. When you do so, remember to check that you have the right insurance. Renters insurance covers your laptop for theft, among other risks. Find out how much your policy will pay out for a laptop, and get a policy if you don’t already have one.
Here are 5 reasons to replace your old laptop.
1. It kills time
If you’re using your laptop daily, its performance has a major impact on your life. This is because old, malfunctioning laptops consume a lot of your time. You may have to wait ages for your computer to wake up, wait longer for it to load applications, and then wait in frustration when those applications freeze or lag.
All of that time adds up and it is not worth giving up that time just to hang onto your laptop for a few more months. Time is money – think about how much you would get paid for the time wasted waiting on your laptop each day. Beyond the financial aspect, you have no more valuable resource in your life than time, and you don’t want to spend it sitting in front of a frozen screen.
2. No battery life
One of the factors that makes laptops extremely useful is that they are portable. You don’t need to have them plugged into a wall socket at all times. However, old laptops lose battery life over the years, and you may struggle to get an hour out of your device.
This is enough of a reason to replace your laptop. By using a laptop that cannot hold any charge, you are limited in what you can do. At the very least, consider replacing your battery.
3. It won’t run new applications
Is there a program or application that you really want to use? Maybe there’s a game you’ve had your eye on. If your old laptop is stopping you because it does not have the processing power or memory, it is time to replace it. This is true even if your laptop is still working fairly well.
The reason is that a new laptop opens up opportunities, and you will have to buy one in the near future in any case. There is only so long you can go on using a laptop that is outdated. Hanging on for a few extra months will only frustrate you.
4. It hinders your work
If you’re using your laptop for work and it is lagging or freezing, you are put at a disadvantage. This is especially true in today’s world where we are on video calls often and sometimes need to share our screens. If your laptop is giving you any problems, these translate into issues at work.
Buying a new laptop will make you more productive and better prepared for meetings and presentations. If it is a work laptop that you are using, ask your manager if they can upgrade it for you for the sake of your output.
5. You’re stressed out
Finally, it is important not to discount your personal experience. An old, clunky laptop that has no battery life can stress you out. You never know if it is going to work as you need it to, and the threat of it packing up completely is ever present. A laptop that is causing you emotional distress has got to go. Your experience will improve markedly with an upgrade.
We all tend to hang onto our old devices longer than we should. However, if your laptop is giving you one of the above 5 issues, it is time to replace it.
