How long should a laptop last you? On average, most of us can expect to get around four to five years out of a typical laptop. Depending on the make and model and how it’s used (casually vs intensively), that lifespan could even be shorter, at around three years, all the way up to around seven years for high-end laptops treated with care.
Forking over a few hundred, or even a few thousand euros, for a new laptop every few years really starts to add up. It’s one of many reasons why affordable computing is so trendy in 2025, and certainly a good reason to consider buying refurbished rather than brand new.
But buying refurbished comes with its own challenges and perhaps doubts, such as whether or not a laptop that’s 2-3 years old is worth buying in 2025. Generally, we believe that it is worth buying a slightly older laptop and that it’s a safe and smart decision, but nevertheless, we aim to inform you about what to check when buying a used laptop and how to save big on reliable refurbished laptops.
How Long Should a Laptop Last in 2025?
If you want “know how long does a typical laptop last” then the short answer is roughly 4-5 years. Of course, there is plenty of room for variation depending on how it’s used and how well it’s cared for, as well as the quality of the hardware.
Broken down by brand, the approximate average lifespan is estimated at around:
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Apple (MacBook): 5-8 years
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Lenovo (IdeaPad): 3-5 years
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Lenovo (ThinkPad): 5-8 years
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Dell (Inspiron): 3-5 years
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Dell (XPS, Latitude): 5-7 years
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HP (Pavilion): 3-4 years
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HP (EliteBook): 5-7 years
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ASUS (ZenBook): 4-6 years
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ASUS (ROG): 3-4 years
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Acer: 3-5 years
Again, the way you treat your laptop, how often and how intensively you use it, and other individual factors can drastically shorten or lengthen the expected lifespan of your laptop.
When purchasing a used laptop that’s 2-3 years old and provided that it’s been used for those 2-3 years, you can estimate how long a used laptop might last by simply subtracting 2-3 years from the lifespans given above.
Battery Life & Performance of 2-3 Year Old Laptops
Usually, one of the first signs that a laptop is starting to degrade is that its battery life starts to suffer. How long a laptop battery should last really depends on usage and manufacturer, but it’s usually one of the first things to go. Indeed, the lifespans given above really don’t often affect how the SSD, CPU, or RAM work unless the device has been physically damaged, but rather the battery life is the first thing that suffers.
Instead of thinking “years” in terms of how long a laptop should last, it may be better to think in terms of battery cycles. Usually, a laptop should be able to perform well for around 300-500 cycles, and if a laptop battery typically goes through 100 cycles per year, that’s around 3-5 years.
What this means is that, in many cases, a slightly older laptop should be perfectly fine most of the time, but its battery is where it will most likely start to show signs of degradation.
What to Check Before Buying a 2-3 Year Old Laptop
When buying a 2-3 year old laptop, there’s a lot you should consider beyond what you would normally consider when buying brand new, because well… it’s used! Try to always inspect the following with any used or (preferably) refurbished laptop:
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Physical condition, keyboard, trackpad, cracks or scuffs;
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Battery health, ability to charge;
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Condition of the display screen, presence of dead pixels, signs of damage;
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Storage, i.e. HDD vs SSD;
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If the product has warranty coverage and if it’s been refurbished by a certified refurbisher;
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If the seller is trustworthy, such as a certified refurbisher.
All of these are important considerations when buying a used laptop, and while some are easy to spot by inspecting the laptop yourself, some are perhaps less obvious such as the ability to charge fully and keep a charge reasonably well.
One big advantage of buying refurbished laptops is that battery health is one of many (and certainly an important one) things that is checked, and when a battery cannot hold more than 60% of its original charge, it is replaced with a new battery.
Old Laptop vs New Laptop in 2025: Pros & Cons
Choosing between buying an old laptop vs a new laptop often comes down mostly to price, but there are a few other things to consider before spending your money:
New laptop
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Higher cost
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Bigger environmental impact, creation of electronic waste
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Generally more compatible with modern software
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Less risk involved, in exchange for higher up-front prices
Old laptop
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Lower cost
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Far lower environmental impact, more sustainable to reuse older devices
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Sometimes incompatible with modern software, depending on the operating system and specs
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It can be riskier, especially if buying used on the private market
Buying an older laptop has advantages and disadvantages, but keep in mind that 2-3 year old laptops aren’t only available on private marketplaces but also as refurbished laptops from certified refurbishers.
Why Refurbished is the Safer Bet
Buying a used laptop doesn’t give you any guarantee in terms of quality: what you see is what you get, and some things you perhaps don’t see might come back and haunt you. In other words, you could get scammed or end up with a faulty product with no recourse, no warranty, and no refunds.
Refurbished laptops are much safer, particularly when sold by trustworthy, certified refurbishers such as Wisetek Market. All devices are thoroughly tested and inspected, cleaned, and restored to an ‘as new’ condition whenever possible. Our Refurbished Laptops Collection, Refurbished MacBooks, and other electronics come with a 12-month warranty, 30-day returns policy, and each item has detailed condition grading so you know exactly what you’re getting. We also have a wide range of Accessories for your laptop, tablet, mobile phone, or desktop PC.
Who Should Buy a 2-3 Year Old Laptop in 2025?
Buying a brand new laptop every year can get quite expensive, and it’s one big reason why both private individuals and companies alike are increasingly seeking alternatives and choosing to buy certified refurbished instead.
You’re indeed getting slightly older tech, and the tech world indeed moves very fast, but in many cases, you’ll be able to get a great laptop at a great price that’s more than capable of doing what you need it to do. Whether you’re a student on a tight budget or you need a dependable everyday laptop for work, buying a 2- to 3-year-old laptop might be far more practical than buying brand new.
By shopping at Wisetek Market for slightly older laptops and other electronics, you’re not only keeping more money in your own pocket, but you’re also benefiting the environment by making a sustainable purchase, getting peace of mind through warranty protection, and getting access to a wide range of electronic products for work, leisure, and more.