I usually upgrade my computer's guts every 2-4 years or so.

I would do it every....say, 3 years.

I don't think it's a question of care, I think it's more a question of the point when a computer is unable to handle current software, due to higher requirements etc. I think every 3/4 years would be about average, as thats about the length of time it takes MS to build a new OS that wont work on current PCs. I try to keep mine as up to date as possible, but I replace parts, not the whole unit. In fact... I think it's due a graphics upgrade, hmm...

My detailed purchase history: 12/03 NEW Dell 1.6 GHz 512 MB RAM 1-YR warranty CRT monitor (~$1000) 6/04 NEW Thinkpad T42 1.7 GHz 728MB RAM 3-YR warranty (~$1500) 7/05 REPAIR Thinkpad HDD broke, keyboard smashed by roommate (under warranty and $50) 8/05 NEW iMac G5 20'' 1-YR warranty (no idea, gift, maybe $2000) 6/06 REPAIR iMac needed logic board replaced (under warranty) 7/07 REPAIR WinXP Pro CD for Dell ($400) 7/08 NEW Built 2.4 GHz 728 MB RAM HTPC ($200 case, $50 mobo, $100 p4, $80 hdd, $60 tuner, $40 dvd burner) 8/08 REPAIR iMac power supply broke (bought a new one for $150) 9/08 TRASH iMac logic board appears to have broken again 10/08 REPLACE Purchased a 24'' Dell monitor to replace iMac 10/08 REPAIR Installed Xubuntu on laptop (free) 11/08 REPAIR Bought a new battery for laptop In short: Mac needed to be replaced after 3 years, repaired twice. Dell has not needed any repairs in 5 years. Thinkpad has needed battery replaced after 4 years, keyboard broken once. Fan is going soon, and part of the frame is chipped from an angry ex-girlfriend. HTPC was not a replacement for any other computer, still young. My opinion: You don't need a new computer if you have P4 1.8GHz+/1GB RAM because you can run anything you would ever need to, and a lot of games depending on your video card. If you have lower spec than that, install any flavor of Ubuntu rather than buying a new computer. Note: I don't play computer games, in that case I would think you would need to replace your computer every 2 years, but you should be buying parts not an entirely new computer. Mobo replacement every 2-4 years depending on budget.

I’ve had my HP computer for six years (June 03), and it has only needed 2 repairs within the first two years under warranty. Thereafter, I learned to perform maintenance on my computer, which included cleaning the inside of the computer from dust 2-3 times/year and computer has run smoothly ever since. All currently installed software still works with Win XP-SP3. My only major purchase has been an external hard drive for back up purposes and RAM upgrade from 512MB to 2GB, thus the total cost of ownership is very low. I plan to keep it another 2 years then purchase a new computer as after 8 years I would like to upgrade to the Win 7 operating system. RE Software: Factor in the cost of new software & training that will run on the new computer. For example I purchased the MS Office Suite 2003 Pro version for several hundred dollars in 2004, and it took a full year of training for me to learn and competently use Publisher, Excel, and PowerPoint (I already knew Word & Outlook). I plan to keep it another 3-4 years too. And I ‘Do Not’ plan on spending hundreds of dollars for an upgrade. I have recently found the Open Office suite of programs to work fairly well (not as fully integrated as MS Office but good never the less and it is ‘free!’). Long gone are the days of purchasing high priced software every couple of years & high investments in training etc. In conclusion, if your computer and software is working problem-free for you, then keep it a few more years. When you decide to purchase a new one consider the options for your old one: 1) Donate to a homebound, elderly or infirm...You’d be surprised how this can restore some independence (online banking, library tutorials, college courses etc.) as well as keep their minds active... 2) Use it to store all your music; give to niece, nephew or small child for their own room or sell it for a little spare cash...

if you take care of a computer it could last you between 6 and 12 years depending on hardware. normally hardware like a powersource or harddrive is easy to relpace but if a processor or motherboard burns out i suggest a new computer then