5 signs that it's time to replace your laptop

Just like any electronic device, notebooks also have a predetermined lifespan and once the machine reaches this period, it is very common to face problems such as battery death and system slowness that does not go away even after formatting.

With that in mind, we have put together some information so that you know the signs that indicate it is time to change your notebook.

When screen resolution stops pleasing you

Not everyone knows how to analyze and compare the technical specifications of a notebook before buying it. But, in addition, something common can occur with all types of users: dissatisfaction with the image resolution. This is because, as the years go by, the media we consume adapts to new standards and displays resolution, brightness and framing characteristics that become incompatible with older machines.

So, if you've noticed that you're unhappy with the quality of your image resolution, especially when playing games or streaming content, it's possible that your device's screen is already quite outdated. For example, your screen resolution may be HD while the image quality of the media being played is 4K: in this case, you may experience some dissatisfaction when playing the content.

If maintenance is more expensive than a new machine

After a few years, it is common for notebook parts to start to show faults, such as dead pixels on the screen, several broken buttons on the keyboard, battery that does not last, etc. So, it is easy to think that sending the product for repair is cheaper than paying for a new one –– and usually, this is not far from reality.

But the older your machine is, the harder it will be to find compatible parts –– because they will eventually stop being manufactured and sold –– and the more expensive the repair will be. So, if the price to repair your laptop is too expensive (equal to, higher than, or close to the price of a new machine), it is better to invest in a new product.

If the machine cannot be kept away from the socket

Laptops in good health not only have a reasonable battery life, but they can also be left unplugged –– once they have a good charge. However, after years of use, it is possible that your computer's battery has died; in this case, it needs to be plugged in at all times; otherwise, it will shut down. Many people can suffer from this problem, especially those who depend on being able to carry their laptop with them everywhere.

So, the obvious first option is to consult a technician to find out which battery is best suited to replace the damaged one. There are many models and prices available, but if the battery is too expensive or hard to find, it may be time to buy a new laptop.

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If you need more RAM and can't add it

RAM is a type of chip that helps with numerous functions on your computer, but perhaps one of the most important is its influence on opening multiple applications and keeping them running for a long time. Therefore, if you experience problems with software slowing down, it is always worth adding more RAM.

However, not all machines allow you to replace the RAM, either because there is no more space –– and, theoretically, you would have to throw away the current chip that still works and replace it with a better one –– or because the hardware has been soldered to the board. Depending on the case, it is worth considering buying a new notebook.

There is a lot of noise in the cooling system

Have you ever heard of the meme where a person turns on their laptop and suddenly it starts making a noise similar to an airplane turbine? Well, this can actually happen and if it happens frequently while performing simple tasks –– turning the device on and off, opening a single tab in the browser, running a document like Excel or Word ––, it means that your laptop is overheating and the cooling system has to do a lot of work to cool it down.

It may not be obvious to everyone, but a laptop shouldn't overheat just because you turn it on. So if that jet engine noise has become a regular occurrence while you're using your machine, it's best to get a new one.