what's the lifespan of a computer?

Mario Stricklan: the lifespan is a long time but it can eventually burn out like all electronics. but they have only been around for so long. i still have a laptop from 1990ish and it runs fine cept i lost the charger and its too old to get a new one and it does almost nothing

Pam Rampadarat: Yes, you can. Any IT professional will tell you "All hard drives fail at some point, all RAM fries at some point. etc."Mainly, its luck and maintence. Keep your system cool and protected, and dust free. That will prolong the life of your PC.

Veta Slicker: A computer's lifespan depends on how much abuse the user dishes out and what the quality of the physical setup is. If you buy a brand name PC (e.g. Dell) and treat it with care, your PC should last for eight years or more (barring accidents such as power surges, static discharges, or impact with a hard surface). It is possible to burn a computer out if it isn't on a surge protector or if you do overclocking with insuff! icient cooling. People usually don't break their PC's, they break their peripherals. So, as long as you have your PC on a surge protector, browse the internet with care (avoiding viruses), and use system maintence tools to keep your hard drive in working order, you should be able to use your PC for a good eight to ten years. Of course, system compatibility with the latest software is a totally different animal. If you plan on keeping up with the latest games and media, you'll find that your system will be far behind within four years (depending on how advanced of a system you bought in the first place).There is much more that I could add to this answer, but I think I have addressed the basics....Show more

Renita Sefton: I've had about 15 computers including the ones at my business over the last 20 years. I would say the average life span now days is about 3 to 4 years at best. The older ones seemed to last longer back in the 90's. That used to bother me but in fac! t, the software and computers capabilities change so rapidly n! ow days, that you almost need to upgrade to a newer one every so often, anyway.I also like laptops and they do seem to give out faster than desktops.....but they are so much more comfortable to use as they can go from car to couch and anywhere in between. Hard to do that with a desk top....Show more

Malcom Bourek: Having good cooling and surge protection is the key...not to mention quality components...

Jonathan Schlussel: I know you do not want to hear this, but the lifespan of a computer is the market. After 2-3 years, manufacturers of hardware and software just stop supporting. Physically, the life of computer components depends on heat. Dust accumulation and anything else that contributes to heat denegrates component integrity. The big question is, "Do I keep my computer running all the time, or shut it off and on as I need it?" Of course, keeping it on produces heat. But, shutting it off and then on... "Spinup time" takes a toll on wear and tear. Th! ere are so many opinions regarding this I could fill a book. If I am not going to use my computer for say, 12 hours, I will shut it down. I clean it about once a month, carefully with compressed air.Electro magnetic discharge, the same thing that shocks you when you rub your feet on a carpet then touch something metal, will kill your computer fast. Michael Meyers "A+ Certification" book is about the most concise book on everything you want to know about computers. Although it is not the only one on the market.I hope this helps....Show more

Lanita Reichman: A clean, dry, and cooler place is always a plus for a computer. Smoking around a computer can be bad for it. Don't ask me why I just heard that. Yes you can burn your computer out. Just like a car, parts do fail.

Virgil Menefee: dont go on porn sites and your computer is sure ot last longer

Ulrike Hert: lifespan depends on how much use it gets and to what degree you use it. can burn out if misuse! d

Kristina Brockwell: make your computer good, and i can't burn m! y compu....