Since 2005, computer shipments have totaled over 200 million units each year. There were times in which sales dropped, but never below a fifth of a billion.
Fast forward to 2020, and computer shipments have once again skyrocketed. Experts say that PC, workstation, and tablet sales will go beyond 425.7 million units by the end of this year.
If your old computer has become snail-like, you likely will be one of these anticipated new PC owners.
Before you buy a new unit, though it’s best to first answer the question, “why do computers slow down?” Not all PCs with impaired speed need an immediate replacement, after all. It may turn out that your gear only needs tune-ups or updates.
On that note, we’ll share some of the top reasons behind a computer running slow. Read on so you can learn more about troubleshooting slow desktops or laptops.
Why Do Computers Slow Down Over Time?
All computers slow down with age, as their average estimated life span is only three to five years. Only a few models, such as some Macs, have shown to last for about ten years.
Age is a huge culprit, as computers get bogged down with physical and virtual weight over time.
Physical Weight
Physical factors include component wear and tear and accumulation of dust and debris. Dirt can clog a PC’s vents leading to excess heat, damaging its sensitive internal parts.
Try cleaning and wiping down your computer first to see if this helps speed up things. If not, you may have a damaged internal component, such as a faulty fan or hard drive. In this case, prompt computer repairs may still be able to salvage your system.
Virtual Weight
Virtual weight refers to all the digital data you store on your computer. Temporary data consumes RAM, while permanent data uses storage space. Older computers have smaller RAM and storage, which are often not enough for new software.
The more recent and complex the software, the greater its RAM requirements. For example, Adobe Creative Cloud requires at least 2 GB of RAM. The 32-bit version of MS Office, on the other hand, requires 1 GB.
If your current laptop only has 2 GB of RAM, you can run either, but forget about using them together. If you launch both at the same time, your system will perform really slow, as there’s not enough RAM. This can also cause your device to overheat and even crash.
In this case, you may only need to upgrade your RAM to 4GB or 8GB.
What Does It Mean if a Computer Slows Down Randomly?
If your fast PC or laptop becomes slow all of a sudden, it may be due to the new apps you installed. You may have agreed to “extra” downloads without noticing it. Uninstall the new software and see if this fixes the issue.
If it doesn’t, then you may have an infected device. Malware has become so rampant that there are now over 400 new threats detected per minute. Run a full malware scan on your computer and remove all threats and suspicious files as soon as possible.
Don’t Let Weight Make Your Computer Age Faster
There you have it, the brief but concise guide that answers your question, “why do computers slow down?” Age, coupled with physical and digital weight, can bog down your system.
So, make it a habit to clean your device, delete old data, and uninstall unwanted apps.
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