When to replace your computer

This is a picture of an old beige IBM PC running DOS

I have been helping clients with their computer problems for a very long time and the decision of when to replace your computer is often difficult. If you have the same question, here is some information I hope you will find helpful in weighing your options.

Reasons you should keep your computer

Old programs and old printers

The primary reason most people avoid upgrading to a new PC is that they have peripherals and programs that might not work on the latest version of Windows or macOS. This is a good reason and incompatibilities have caused many headaches. However, if you upgrade your Windows version before buying a new PC and discover a compatibility issue with hardware or software after upgrading to Windows 11, you have 10 days to roll that upgrade back to the previous installation of Windows 10. That option disappears after 10 days, so don’t delay.

Transferring data

Another reason most people avoid upgrading to a new PC is that they don’t want the hassle of transferring their data to the new PC. This can be troublesome and we recommend calling a pro to help you with this process if you get stuck.

Reasons you should buy a new computer

Your computer is outdated.

Here are some questions to help determine if you should replace your computer:

Did it come with Windows 7 or Windows 8? Or Even something older like XP?
Does it have DDR 3 type of memory? DDR 5 is the newest. DDR 4 is still considered up to date at the time of this writing.
Are you getting any messages saying it cannot run newer software?
Is it more than 5 years old?
Is it beige? (just kidding)

-If you answered yes to any of those questions, it’s time for a new PC.

If it is more than three years old, there’s a strong likelihood it is unable to take advantage of new features in Microsoft Windows 11. Most people are content to stick with Windows 10 for the time being.

Here are some new features that are desired: