Should I buy a new computer now or wait? (2023)

Is it better to buy a computer now or wait?

In short, if you can wait six months to a year to start your next build, you'll find your high-end choices greatly expanded. Of course that isn't all that helpful if you need a new PC right now. If you just can't wait, you'll still see some amazing performance compared to a desktop from just a few years ago.

So, is it still worth it to build a gaming PC in 2022? We think the answer is a resounding yes! Building your own gaming PC is still the way to go if you're looking for the best performance, customization, and value.

But on average, office computers are replaced every three to five years.

I think right now is actually a great time to build a PC, because it's hard to expect the next generation to be great. If you look at the past five years, it really seems like we're entering an era where you can't expect new CPUs and GPUs to provide better value than older models.

Most experts agree the shortage will continue through 2022 and into 2023.

Budget Breakdown

In this budget-range, we'd recommend spending between $600 and $800 for a solid 1080p-oriented gaming PC build. For a Mid-Range system, the CPU you should aim for will be either an i5 or Ryzen 5 processor.

Building a PC will actually save you money in the long run, because you will likely not need to replace or repair components as often as with a pre-built.

According to a recent IDC forecast, the PC and tablet markets are expected to shrink. Shipments for tablets and PCs will decline almost 12% in 2022, the research firm reported, and are expected to decline further in 2023.

According to Computer Hope, you should expect to replace your computer once every four years. That's based on a cost analysis, plus the average time it takes to wear out the internal parts of the computer. Home Computer Help gives a slightly different estimate: Five years for desktops, and three to four for laptops.

At what age should you replace your computer?

Like many people update their mobile phones every 2-3 years, your end user devices (laptops/desktops) should be on a five-year hardware refresh cycle.

Productivity is the main reason for why the three year cutoff. Computer technology changes so quickly that a computer built three years ago is quickly obsolete. Each generation of hardware increases the speed of the computer, and each generation of software uses more of the hardware to do what it does.

But if your laptop is 5 years old or more, paying for a laptop repair probably isn't worth it since you'll likely have to buy a new one soon. If your laptop is 3 or 4 years old, figure out how bad the problem is before spending money to fix it. If all you need is a new battery, you might want to consider a repair.

What's a healthy amount of screen time for adults? Experts say adults should limit screen time outside of work to less than two hours per day. Any time beyond that which you would typically spend on screens should instead be spent participating in physical activity.

Pandemic lockdowns, war and inflation are slowing demand for PCs, which will fall 8% in 2022, according to IDC's latest forecast. Shipments will still be above pre-pandemic levels, however.

Demand for computers is down. And so are shipments of PCs, according to new data from two different firms. Gartner said computer shipments are down almost 20% year over year; International Data Corp. said they're down 15%.

Windows 11 is worth the update for most people. It comes with a wide range of new features, performance improvements, and design changes. As the latest Windows OS, it usually gets more attention than Windows 10, too. There's not too much risk in upgrading to Windows 11, either.

“We're going to get a lot more semiconductor capacity in the second half of 2022 – we're nearing the end of the supply crunch.

Will the chip shortage ever end?

As a result, through the end of 2022 and into 2023, chip supplies are expected to be in surplus in many chip nodes, which analysts expect will be absorbed through much of 2023 by customers.

Today's budget desktops offer a modest baseline for performance and decent flexibility, while lasting longer than they used to. We're talking about desktops that cost $800 at the very most, with many coming in under $500 and a few even below $200.

$300-400 is plenty for basic games in 720p. If you want to game in 1080p, $500-$1,000 is a good range. Gaming in 1440p or higher is going to call for a budget of $1,000-$1,200 for the PC itself and another $400-$600 on peripherals. And lastly, 4K gaming is going to require a budget of more than $2,000.

Chip Shortage

Producers of computer parts are facing a shortage of components such as chips, motherboards, and memory cards due to the high demand from various industries. Prices for these things have increased. As a result, making them unaffordable for most people.

Prebuilt PC Is The Easier Option

A prebuilt computer is the best option for people who aren't too interested in the nitty-gritty part of the PC-building process. It's also safer as there is virtually no chance of you inadvertently damaging any of the PC components inside the case.

The old adage that building your own PC is the cheapest option isn't always true anymore. Between pre-built, custom-built, and DIY, there isn't a clear “cheapest” choice. The price of the same hardware configurations across all three categories can vary depending on factors like volume discounts and demand.

Prices for PC components are relatively cheap right now, but you should think twice before dumping thousands of dollars on a total rebuild. PC gamers have been waiting for component prices to thaw from inflated highs for years now, and it finally seems like the ice is beginning to give way.

In a nutshell, high-end PCs are selling well as consumer and education sales have slowed. Shipments of cheaper PCs have continued falling since 2021, amid inflation fears and the industry's supply chain woes, with vendors manufacturing fewer Chromebooks as they pursue profits in higher-end Windows PCs.

Sales of personal computers including laptops, tablets and notebooks will continue to decline in coming quarters as the market pulls back from highs fuelled by demand for remote learning and enterprise purchase over the last eight quarters, analysts said.

Global shipments of traditional PCs are forecast to decline 12.8% in 2022 to 305.3 million units, while tablet shipments will fall 6.8% to 156.8 million. Inflation, a weakening global economy, and the surge in buying over the past two years are the leading causes for the reduced outlook.

Is a 10 year old computer obsolete?

For most desktop PCs, you can expect a minimum three-year lifespan. However, most computers survive five to eight years, depending on the upgrading components. Maintenance is also critical, as dust is very problematic for PC components.

To determine whether an upgrade is worth your money, look at how much it will cost, and compare that to the computer's age. “If the computer is seven years old or more, and it requires a repair that is more than 25 percent of the cost of a new computer, I'd say don't fix it,” says Silverman.

A desktop computer should last at least three years, especially when properly maintained with routine software updates. However, most can survive an average of five to eight years. Generally, when a desktop fails, all you need to do is fix or replace the problematic component, and it's good to go.

A: Yes, seven years is pretty much a lifetime for computers. And yes, you could install a different operating system, such as Linux. Some Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, are free and very easy to install.

Want to play the latest games and have the most powerful system possible? A custom desktop is your best bet. However, if you're looking to have the most streamlined, no-frills, plug-and-play desktop workspace, an all-in-one PC may be just what you're looking for.

If you paid $1000 for a computer today, next year it will be worth $300 and the year after that $100. Three years from the date of purchase, it is worth about $30. This “back-of-the-envelope calculation” is close, but not exact.

The PC of 2030

Over the next ten years, our machines will become even thinner and lighter, faster and more powerful, and more closely aligned to our smartphone experience than ever before.

Most old computers are powerful enough to work as a media center PC. You can stream media or host video files you own. Installing software such as Plex can help you connect multiple services and media files with one interface. You may even be able to access files from smartphones and tablets.

You can expect a laptop to last four to five years, though Apple laptops have a longer life expectancy. No matter how well you care for a laptop, don't expect to use it for more than about 10 years due to software issues. Here are seven of the key signs it's time to upgrade to a new laptop.

Experts recommend replacing machines every 3 to 5 years, while smaller companies may be able to get by with replacing on an “as-needed” basis. Staying on top of a replacement schedule can help ensure your work environment is as productive and secure as possible.

What will replace the computer?

Global experts are now predicting that smartphones and tablets will increasingly replace desktop and laptop PCs.

Early personal computers – generally called microcomputers – were sold often in electronic kit form and in limited numbers, and were of interest mostly to hobbyists and technicians.

In Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & security > Recovery. Click the Get started button under the Reset this PC section. You are then asked if you wish to remove apps and settings but keep your personal files or remove everything. Choose the option for Remove everything.

Overheating is one of the common reasons for the early demise of both desktops and laptops. It slows down the processor and damages other internal components. Desktop and laptop computers come with internal fans to keep air moving through the components inside, but the fans need enough airflow to be effective.

PC's can be left off for years and still work. The thing that ages a bit might be power delivery; the battery, or the circuit itself does suffer from prolonged use but also from doing nothing as dust accumulates. Another one is mechanical hard drives, those are not great for (very) long term storage either.

"Screen time" is a term used for activities done in front of a screen, such as watching TV, working on a computer, or playing video games. Screen time is sedentary activity, meaning you are being physically inactive while sitting down. Very little energy is used during screen time.

Well, as alluded to in the intro, if you were hoping to pick up cheap hardware in 2022, think again. New CPUs and GPUs are unlikely to decrease in price at any time. As per the report, you could be looking at a 20 percent hike in hardware costs.

Building a PC will actually save you money in the long run, because you will likely not need to replace or repair components as often as with a pre-built.

Often, Brown says, you'll find computers in January at prices 10% lower than on the same models that were sold in December. Holiday weekends: Another great time to land a bargain is during holiday weekends throughout the year, including Presidents Day weekend, Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.

Should I get a new PC after 5 years?

For most desktop PCs, you can expect a minimum three-year lifespan. However, most computers survive five to eight years, depending on the upgrading components. Maintenance is also critical, as dust is very problematic for PC components.

Building your own PC is the best solution for those who want full control over every aspect of their build. It provides the most thorough customization options, from the CPU to the fans and lighting. That means you'll always have the exact hardware you need.

Yes and no. A prebuilt PC is worth it if you have absolutely no idea how to build a PC yourself, or just don't want to do it. Also, sometimes PC companies get parts for cheaper because they buy in bulk, so they can offer very competitive pricing compared to buying the parts and building yourself.

PC Market Experiences Steepest Decline in Over Two Decades. Worldwide PC shipments totaled 68 million units in the third quarter of 2022, a 19.5% decrease from the third quarter of 2021, according to preliminary results by Gartner, Inc.

The main driving force of falling price of computers/tv/electronic items is the rapid improvements in technology that have occurred in the past 50 years. Moore's law was an observation by Gordon Moore (co-founder of Intel) that the number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubles about every two years.

So how long do computers last? Every situation is different, but you can expect the average desktop PC to last between three and eight years. Desktops tend to kick on longer than laptops due to the extra space inside the box.

First, the general rule of thumb is that you should replace a laptop every three or four years. Desktops last a little bit longer, but not significantly. Unfortunately, computers aren't built to last a lifetime.