The first laptop ever created was the Osborne 1 in 1981. It was a bulky machine, weighing 25 pounds, with a five-inch screen and a hefty price tag of $1800. The invention was instantly popular, but as competitors came up with better machines, the Osborne series disappeared alogether within two years.

geralt/Pixabay. How to know when it is time to look for a new laptop?

For the last few years, laptops have witnessed exponential growth in terms of development, sleeker looks, and easy-to-carry designs. On top of this, a user could benefit from improved technical specifications such as better RAM and CPU capabilities, wider screens, and less weight in later versions and models. Today, with a number of top-notch machines in the market and with new models coming out every day of the week, when does one know when it's time to look for a new laptop?

J. Kelly Brito/Unsplash. If your laptop is more than three years old, then perhaps it's time to reconsider.

Time is most often the deciding factor. If your laptop is more than three years old, maybe it is high time you looked for a replacement. Start by objectively assessing your machine–look for signs of wear and tear and keep check of its performance and speed. Here is how you can decide whether to give your notebook some more time or start looking for a new one.

As you begin your assessment, and are confused about what to look for, start by considering its condition when you bought it. Was it brand new and the top model in its class? Was it a budget purchase? If yours was a high-end laptop, chances are it is still performing well, and is built with durable material to last a long time.

Consider its speed and software.

Compare its specs with the latest machines on the market and if there is still not a marked difference, your current laptop is good for another couple of months or years. A quick tip to check the value of your current laptop is to check eBay and resellers listings–if your laptop can garner good resale prices in today’s aftermarkets, it is highly likely that you can use it for quite a while without any issues.

joshuaworoniecki/Pixabay. Look for glitches and a slow machine before checking out the market for a new one.

Here are some clear signs that you need to get yourself a new laptop:

Slow turn-on: A machine which takes forever to boot up needs to be replaced or upgraded ASAP.

Slow speed: If your laptop has trouble opening up new programs, takes a lot of time closing or changing windows, and stabilizing after a gruelling task, that is a clear sign of a machine that must be replaced.

Crashes: If your laptop habitually glitches, and needs lots of restarting and/or gives you the dreaded Blue Screen of Death, then maybe its time to say goodbye to it for good.