72Duster440
Well-Known Member
I think most laptops do, but I doubt desktops do. I put a solid state in my laptop, it was noticeably faster.
How often do you replace your laptop computer?
- Thread starter Kern Dog
- Start date
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Unfortunately neither of our computers can be upgraded to Windows 11, we tried every scenario possible to no avail.
To find out if the desktops are SSD, look in the specs area. I found a desktop and a laptop that have the SSD on the HP site, and they are having a sale.
When I was on the tool truck I would go through a laptop every 2 years or so. That was a pretty hostile environment though, bouncing around in a truck 10 hours a day. No SSD's back then and the hard drives would usually go bad. I have replaced a few oem hard drives with one from Seagate which are high quality and long lasting.
Use Avast antivirus. They have driver updater and cleanup service. I have a very old ,2009, Optiplex 780 Dell Desktop. Upgraded to a solid state hard drive and as much ram as I could cram in. Keep your "desktop" as clean as you can. Delete everything you don't use. I store pictures and surf the internet, I don't keep any history and delete all cookies. Still fast and starts up faster than my wife's Dell xps laptop that is only about 5 years old.
I have that on my chromebook and I have it set to update automatically. This is why I like the chromebook, because even with the Avast, the virus program has never given one single alert. Chromebooks seem to be a lot more secure.
I've been in charge of "life cycle management" of an entire fleet of desktops and laptops for the past 8 years, and before that was in charge of the same thing for over 350 servers.
Back when processors reached the 3 GHz speed, they basically stopped getting any faster.
The laptop I'm currently typing on is 9 years old.
All that said- I agree they get loaded up with crap. Temp files, update files, etc.
Most of that can be cleaned up.
Programs you don't recognize can be uninstalled from control panel.
Something I've noticed within the last 2 years, and this is IMPORTANT-
Both microsoft and google are now, by default, copying all of your files, documents, pictures, videos...
...up their respective cloud repositories.
TURN THAT **** OFF!!!
For google, disable the "offline files" extension.
Don't remove it, or it will come back, and be turned on.
Note that this is for every "user" login.
For windows, ctrl alt del to "task manager", go to "startup" and disable "microsoft one drive".
Again, don't uninstall it or it will come back and be turned on.
Same deal- for every user that logs in.
Then restart.
Secondly- I'm not sure if it's directly related to the above, which literally HAMMERS your hard drive and also fights against each "service" that's doing the copying for 100% use of said drive, but win10 22H2 and win11 do something that KILLS "spinny" hard drives.
It makes them super slow.
The fix is, as stated above, install an SSD (solid state drive).
Hopefully your laptop has an SSD slot.
If it does not, you'll have to find a 2.5" SATA SSD.
512 GB SSD drives are super cheap now- $30 for name brand.
I imagine 1TB is also affordable since 2TB is now the standard.
If you have a Seagate or Maxtor drive, you can download "MaxBlast" to clone the drive for free.
If you don't have one of those brands, you can get a limited version of "Acronis", but it's harder to find.
Back when processors reached the 3 GHz speed, they basically stopped getting any faster.
The laptop I'm currently typing on is 9 years old.
All that said- I agree they get loaded up with crap. Temp files, update files, etc.
Most of that can be cleaned up.
Programs you don't recognize can be uninstalled from control panel.
Something I've noticed within the last 2 years, and this is IMPORTANT-
Both microsoft and google are now, by default, copying all of your files, documents, pictures, videos...
...up their respective cloud repositories.
TURN THAT **** OFF!!!
For google, disable the "offline files" extension.
Don't remove it, or it will come back, and be turned on.
Note that this is for every "user" login.
For windows, ctrl alt del to "task manager", go to "startup" and disable "microsoft one drive".
Again, don't uninstall it or it will come back and be turned on.
Same deal- for every user that logs in.
Then restart.
Secondly- I'm not sure if it's directly related to the above, which literally HAMMERS your hard drive and also fights against each "service" that's doing the copying for 100% use of said drive, but win10 22H2 and win11 do something that KILLS "spinny" hard drives.
It makes them super slow.
The fix is, as stated above, install an SSD (solid state drive).
Hopefully your laptop has an SSD slot.
If it does not, you'll have to find a 2.5" SATA SSD.
512 GB SSD drives are super cheap now- $30 for name brand.
I imagine 1TB is also affordable since 2TB is now the standard.
If you have a Seagate or Maxtor drive, you can download "MaxBlast" to clone the drive for free.
If you don't have one of those brands, you can get a limited version of "Acronis", but it's harder to find.
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I don't see anything like that on my chromebook.
It's not in extensions.
33IMP
Well-Known Member
So far, once. It was in my truck when it was stolen
I have a laptop that I bought to replace it..... somewhere. I may have used it five times in the last five years. Got a ten year old printer, still in the box.... also somewhere. Got a desktop I haven't turned on in ten years or so.
If I can't do something on my phone or tablet, it don't get done, and I don't need it.
I have a laptop that I bought to replace it..... somewhere. I may have used it five times in the last five years. Got a ten year old printer, still in the box.... also somewhere. Got a desktop I haven't turned on in ten years or so.
If I can't do something on my phone or tablet, it don't get done, and I don't need it.
The first thing I would do is hit Ctrl Alt Del and look at Task Manager to see how much memory is being used and CPU usage. In my opinion 8GB of RAM isn't enough these days. I solved performance issues by going to 16 GB of RAM.
If you don't have enough RAM your computer starts using your hard disk for RAM storage and it gets very slow.
If you don't have enough RAM your computer starts using your hard disk for RAM storage and it gets very slow.
OneOfMany
Well-Known Member
For a notebook of this age, this is an easy swap as it will be sata. Drives are readily available.
abodyjoe
Well-Known Member
depends on the quality of computer you buy.. my macbook air i bought in 2012. put a battery in it in 2017, its due for a new batytery now but the computer is no longer supported so i'll have to find a new computer... a new macbook is expensive but its top of the line and lasts longer then cheaper brands/operating systems.. so i'm not sure what direction i want to go this time around..
MDchanic
Connoisseur d'Junque
MacBook Pro from 2011.
Bought it used for my wife around 2016, upgraded RAM and HD, she used it until she got a new one 2 years ago, when I replaced the HD with a 2gb SSD and moved everything from my still-working-fine 2009 MacBook, which I'd bought for $30 at a flea market around 2014.
The MacBook was beginning to have trouble because a lot of things needed a newer OS which it couldn't load. It looks like the Pro will be beginning to encounter that in the foreseeable future. Just replaced the Pro's battery (again), noticed it's going to need a new woofer (probably $20-30).
Basically, I keep 'em going like my cars, and when I'm done with them, there's nowhere for them to go but the junkyard, because they're used up.
The problem for the next upgrade is that every Mac laptop after about 2015 has a soldered-in SSD, so if I want to go 2gb (or larger), I will have to buy a purpose-build SSD-stick from one of a very few aftermarket suppliers.
I've had a long string of Mac laptops, since about 2000 (and before that a PowerBook 140), almost all bought used, and never had a problem with any of them (knock wood).
I'm annoyed that if I want the storage I need, I may have to ultimately spring for a new one a few years down the road.
- Eric
edit: I will add that in my experience, Macs are far less susceptible to the "bit rot" and "gunk" problems that are routine on Windows machines. I have not used Linux, but I suspect that survives better as well. I may try it on the next one, depending on what's available when the need arises.
Bought it used for my wife around 2016, upgraded RAM and HD, she used it until she got a new one 2 years ago, when I replaced the HD with a 2gb SSD and moved everything from my still-working-fine 2009 MacBook, which I'd bought for $30 at a flea market around 2014.
The MacBook was beginning to have trouble because a lot of things needed a newer OS which it couldn't load. It looks like the Pro will be beginning to encounter that in the foreseeable future. Just replaced the Pro's battery (again), noticed it's going to need a new woofer (probably $20-30).
Basically, I keep 'em going like my cars, and when I'm done with them, there's nowhere for them to go but the junkyard, because they're used up.
The problem for the next upgrade is that every Mac laptop after about 2015 has a soldered-in SSD, so if I want to go 2gb (or larger), I will have to buy a purpose-build SSD-stick from one of a very few aftermarket suppliers.
I've had a long string of Mac laptops, since about 2000 (and before that a PowerBook 140), almost all bought used, and never had a problem with any of them (knock wood).
I'm annoyed that if I want the storage I need, I may have to ultimately spring for a new one a few years down the road.
- Eric
edit: I will add that in my experience, Macs are far less susceptible to the "bit rot" and "gunk" problems that are routine on Windows machines. I have not used Linux, but I suspect that survives better as well. I may try it on the next one, depending on what's available when the need arises.
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jbc426
Well-Known Member
Kern,
You can download "CrapCleaner" from "Downloads.com" and run it. It will clean out all the crap from your files.
Then stop over at Costco and grab a 1 or 2 Terra-bite solid state hard drive, plug it into your laptop and use the back-up feature on your laptop to copy all you files over to it. It's super easy.
I'm still running Windows 7 using Firefox as my browser. I don't like the Apple-like operating system Windows has been using. It took all the of the logical, system layout that Windows 7 and earlier operating systems used and opted instead for the "look and feel" of an Apple like operating system that tries to control everything for you.
The only reason I still use my old laptop is that I don't like the new Windows operating system.
I also use my compressed air to blow the dust out of my laptop yearly, and keep the back of my laptop propped up slightly to facilitate more airflow.
You can download "CrapCleaner" from "Downloads.com" and run it. It will clean out all the crap from your files.
Then stop over at Costco and grab a 1 or 2 Terra-bite solid state hard drive, plug it into your laptop and use the back-up feature on your laptop to copy all you files over to it. It's super easy.
I'm still running Windows 7 using Firefox as my browser. I don't like the Apple-like operating system Windows has been using. It took all the of the logical, system layout that Windows 7 and earlier operating systems used and opted instead for the "look and feel" of an Apple like operating system that tries to control everything for you.
The only reason I still use my old laptop is that I don't like the new Windows operating system.
I also use my compressed air to blow the dust out of my laptop yearly, and keep the back of my laptop propped up slightly to facilitate more airflow.
Pretty much all been covered as far as processing speed, RAM and hard drives and with good information. Same for the increasing memory requirements for new OS’s.
The rule of thumb I use is the OS software. The moment that you can’t install the most current OS on your computer is the moment your hardware becomes outdated. When the manufacturer stops supporting updates of the OS you run, your hardware is obsolete. Because if you can’t get updates to the OS for new viruses, you’re a sitting duck for hackers. You can replace components and keep your old hardware running, but if you have to use unsupported OS software that computer shouldn’t be your primary computer with any kind of personal information on it.
The rule of thumb I use is the OS software. The moment that you can’t install the most current OS on your computer is the moment your hardware becomes outdated. When the manufacturer stops supporting updates of the OS you run, your hardware is obsolete. Because if you can’t get updates to the OS for new viruses, you’re a sitting duck for hackers. You can replace components and keep your old hardware running, but if you have to use unsupported OS software that computer shouldn’t be your primary computer with any kind of personal information on it.
Seagate BARRACUDA?
Could have been.
A 4 year old computer should handle basic use/internet fairly well.
My music recording system (3770k) is over a decade old (13years) and still fairly capable. I have even older ones that would still handle average duties fairly well.
Did windows upgrade to 11 recently ? my TV computer which newer, 6 years old
didn't like windows 11 think it needs more ram with windows 11, I'm not doing much right now and sitting at 75% of the 8GB.
My music recording system (3770k) is over a decade old (13years) and still fairly capable. I have even older ones that would still handle average duties fairly well.
Did windows upgrade to 11 recently ? my TV computer which newer, 6 years old
didn't like windows 11 think it needs more ram with windows 11, I'm not doing much right now and sitting at 75% of the 8GB.
I use older laptops. I went from the T series Lenovo like T510/520 to the W520/530. Those have a slot under the keyboard that was originally for a cellular card, but accepts an mSATA drive. These are tiny, roughly 1" x 3/4 or something, (EDIT looked it up, 1.18 x 2")
and usually use something 300--500Gv for the main system. Sometimes dual boot Windblowed and Linux, and USE Linux. This leaves the main drive bay EMPTY for a storage drive. NO OS on that drive, used ONLY for storing files and to back up to something else. AND these girls have a "swap" bay that will take a CD/DVD drive OR ANOTHER HDD!!! So I can have THREE HDDs all in this at once, doing backups. These are buss driven so not as slow as USB external drives
These only accept 32Gv of RAM and I have them maxed out. But for what I do, no video editing, etc, they work pretty well.
I use Linux Mint with "Mate" desktop, Firefox. The first W520s were released in 2011, and were the top of their line, and expensive.
en.wikipedia.org
These are big, heavy, clunky, but they have a nice big screen THAT I CAN SEE
Some of these run an i7 Core at 2.9Ghz, when released. Later some ran an i7 at 3.8 Ghz
Example of the ultrabay caddy that takes a hdd, this replaces the DVD drive
and usually use something 300--500Gv for the main system. Sometimes dual boot Windblowed and Linux, and USE Linux. This leaves the main drive bay EMPTY for a storage drive. NO OS on that drive, used ONLY for storing files and to back up to something else. AND these girls have a "swap" bay that will take a CD/DVD drive OR ANOTHER HDD!!! So I can have THREE HDDs all in this at once, doing backups. These are buss driven so not as slow as USB external drives
These only accept 32Gv of RAM and I have them maxed out. But for what I do, no video editing, etc, they work pretty well.
I use Linux Mint with "Mate" desktop, Firefox. The first W520s were released in 2011, and were the top of their line, and expensive.
ThinkPad W series - Wikipedia
These are big, heavy, clunky, but they have a nice big screen THAT I CAN SEE
Some of these run an i7 Core at 2.9Ghz, when released. Later some ran an i7 at 3.8 Ghz
Example of the ultrabay caddy that takes a hdd, this replaces the DVD drive
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Another big thing is I use DuckDuckGo for a search engine and Firefox as a browser. Turn off or uninstall news feeds. That way your computer isn't always going on line "helping" or suggesting things for you to buy. The fastest computer I have is an old 1990's Dell XPS with Windows XP and the network card removed.
What is the ram and cpu usage?
harrisonm
Well-Known Member
I usually get about 5 years out of a laptop before it starts having problems. When doing what I do on a computer starts to be a pain, I move on. My current one is almost 5 years old. About 5.5 years ago, I was having problems with my 6 year old Toshiba. I took it to a computer repair place and they said that for $125 they could clean it up and tweak some things, and it would be like new. Well, it didn't work. It was a TEENY bit better for a few weeks, and then it tanked. Complete waste of money.
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