Even if you're new to computers (only using computers for the last 10 years) you have seen 4 operating systems or upgrades from Microsoft alone!

1. Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000 (1998-2000)
2. Windows XP (2001-2005)
3. Windows Vista (2006-2008)
4. Windows 7 (2009-today)

That is a new operating system (typically requiring new hardware) every 2 1/2 years!

If we extend this time line to the last 20 years we will find six operating systems making the average 3 1/3 years.

Therefore we typically say

A home computer will last 3 to 5 years or 2 computer generations.

If your computer is more than two generations old it is typically cost effective to purchase a new computer than to upgrade your existing computer to run the latest software.

Occasionally if a computer is 3 to 5 years old, adding additional memory or a larger hard drive may get you by for an extra two years.