I've got a pretty old Dell. Never gave me a problem for several years. It still works, but I found the DVD is not working on it anymore. No big deal for me ask I have an iPad I normally use. But I got my money's worth from Dell everytime.

We have a chill plate I think it's called. Something like that. It is low and your laptop fits on top. Works great to help keep the computer from overheating especially in hot weather. This is extra cooling even though your computer has it's own built in. Love our laptops.

Thanks, I was just wondering. I try to be nice to mine, I set it on old plastic cassette tape boxes I got at a thrift store and turn a small fan on if it seems to be getting warm. I think it is getting a little funky but it is going on 5 years now so may be entering screen senility. I think it was a mid-priced HP. My sis's Apple that died an early death was expensive and she was not happy, the dealership offered her a fix that cost so much it was cheaper to by another computer.

judi

Judi,
The main problem with my laptop (7 year old Compaq) is that it will only run on power now as the battery failed and can't recharge. It was my daughter's laptop so was pretty well used before it was handed down to me. The other problem is overheating. Overheating seems a common problem but on mine it's worse when running the dvd drive too long. Helps to transfer things over onto the actual computer to watch.

I am a bit like mrsD in that I liked my old tower. I particularly liked that I could open it up and clean it out and replace parts myself.

The "chill plate" for a laptop sounds like a great idea.

My daughter's MacBook overheats as well but it's kept very busy. It had a problem with the white rubber underneath the keyboard. Will post details below in case someone else has the same problem.

http://www.apple.com/au/support/macbook-bottomcase/

I may just get a desk top when I need a new one unless they are obsolete and I don't know it.

My niece had some kind of cooling pad and hers died anyway but she may have murdered it trying to tweak it.

judi

my current laptop was purchased in 2003- runs fine. Laptops are notorious for having tiny fans - which can result in overheating.

A chill pad/fan device is a solution, as is any lowtech method of increasing the amount of cooler air circulating beneath the laptop. I happen to use a cooling rack for cookies/cakes/pies to elevate the laptop a bit off my desk. Work well, as do other non tech methods for increasing air circulation such as strips of wood, rulers, etc.

A lot of variables affect laptop life. Hard drives are susceptible to failure a little sooner in a laptop(than with a desktop), due to heat buildup in the confinement of a laptop housing.

Batteries in older laptops just wear-out after a couple or so years; replacements are usually available from the manufacturer and third party generic sources.

Dust can be sucked inside a laptop, and in time can clog up the internals, and require disassembly. Disassembling most laptops are a "don't try this at home" kind-of project.

Malware infection isn't the end-of-the-world, is most simply fixed by reinstalling the operating system(ie- Windows).

If the fan is small or broken, it can cause your laptop to overheat and shut down, or possibly even die. Keep it elevated on a cooling pad, repair the current fan if it is broken or install an additional fan. You could also even take a standard fan you currently have and direct it to the hot spots, if you will.

As for longevity, it depends entirely on how the laptop is used, with a little bit of good/bad luck as well. 3-4 years is a general rule of thumb I use in terms of the technology being out of date, but if you take great care of your laptop it can remain functional for 8 years.