Gartner Research Reports: Motherboard Issues Surpass Screen Problems in Laptops
According to a survey conducted by Gartner, screen failures have long been considered the most common issue with laptops. However, this situation is changing as motherboard problems are emerging as a new challenge.
The survey results indicate that, on average, 1 in 5 laptops experiences component failures, including connectors, motherboards, and hard drives. Desktop computers also face similar weaknesses but tend to operate more reliably. Only 5% of desktop PCs purchased in 2005-2006 experienced failures within the first year, compared to 15% for laptops. Moreover, Gartner reports that 22% of notebooks encounter hardware issues within four years of use.
Leslie Fiering, Vice President of Research at Gartner, notes that laptop manufacturers have improved designs to reduce the risk of screen failures. They achieve this by using stronger materials for the casing and screen edges, or by increasing the distance between the keyboard and screen when the laptop is closed.
Previously, IT managers could replace individual components such as the NIC (Network Interface Card) or modem. Nowadays, these parts are integrated directly onto the motherboard, forcing them to replace the entire board just to fix a single issue.
Despite this, most computer companies are striving to produce more durable models. This includes enhancing shock resistance for hard drives and adding rubber padding between the contact points of the laptop’s upper casing and the keyboard.
Gartner reports facing significant challenges in data analysis as most laptop manufacturers refuse to provide actual data. Therefore, much of this statistics are based on information obtained from warranty companies and large enterprises.
