How long should my Win7 laptop last?

In 2012, I bought my first laptop for the convenience of using it anywhere with Wi-Fi. Prior to that, I always used desktops which lasted a minimum of five years, but became so out-of- date and slow that it was less expensive to purchase a new desktop than update an older system which was beyond my expertise. The cost to pay someone else (labor, parts, software), at least at the time, was almost the cost of a new, off-the-shelf pc using my older monitor. Now, after three years, my laptop keyboard types the wrong characters, the online keyboard worked a week before it started doing the same thing, the Start menu flashes on and off, the scroll bar rolls to the bottom and is stuck there. Fortunately, I back up regularly. The keyboard problem started a week ago, but everything else worked so I ran another backup yesterday. The other problems started today. I have run the troubleshooter, system restore to an earlier time, ran my anti-virus programs, nothing has helped. However, I've noticed that if I shut it down and let it cool down, it will work except for the keyboard, for an hour or so before it becomes too warm and all of the problems start again. At some point, it probably won't turn on at all.

I hoped my laptop would last at least as long as my desktops as I did not expect to have to purchase a new one after three years.

Because of these problems, I am using my Kindle Fire to send this message.

My laptop is a Lenovo N580 64-bit with Windows 7 Home Premium.

Thanks. Jane

Do you mean solid state drive? I find that acronyms can have more than one meaning which I am asking.

I don't understand what you mean by "Which there are a few options listed here that are unknown to your machine Intel or amd cpu.." If the options are listed, how can they be unknown?

As for 32-bit machines, I found that some software will not work well or not at all on 32-bit, but will on 64-bit.

My security is MS Security Essentials. I run it daily.

Heat is a big killer of laptops. In the confined space and limited ventilation common in laptops heat is difficult to dissipate and temperatures can easily reach unacceptable levels. They should always be operated on a hard flat surface and ensure that vents are never blocked.

The design priorities of a laptop are low weight, low power consumption, while still providing reasonable performaance. Price is also a major consideration and in many cases the deciding one. With these severe constraints low cost is difficult to achieve and reliability tends to suffer.

Hi, I do remember seeing a 32-bit folder along with the 64-bit while looking thru my c drive folder. My desktop is a 32 bit and no problems there other than replacing the power box a couple of times because I used it so much, and I was able to make that change myself. Do you think my laptop can be saved? I've looked at refurbished ones with 64 bit that are "like new" as I don't want to purchase a brand new laptop right now. But I will consider 34 bits which are less expensive. Thanks. Jane

TPFanControl is a utility which allows you to monitor your CPU temperatures in realtime. It also allows you to control your fan speed. Many Thinkpad people use it and swear by it.

It appears your keyboard is shot and needs replacing. The physical keyboard and onscreen keyboard ride in parallel, In other words you get input using either one simultaneously and the physical keyboard is taking over by malfunction. Using resources available on the internet you can locate a replacement keyboard and find a video tutorials explaining how to properly replace the keyboard and save yourself a lot of money. It is important to find a dependable and proper replacement keyboard for extended life. Careful research includes going on Thinkpad forums and just ask for help and opinions.

Good luck.