Users lose 5 days a year due to slow computers

Computer users lose more than five-and-a-half days a year to slow-loading computers, applications, and files.

That is according to a study of PC and laptop users, which found slow computers are causing almost one-third of people to be put in a bad mood for the rest of the day. Some 17% have relieved their frustration over a gadget through physical aggression by either throwing it against a wall or stamping on it.

According to the study, by flash memory firm SanDisk, computer users in Britain last year lost over 130 hours of free time to slow loading computers, apps, and files.

With the typical desktop or laptop user waiting an average of up to 12 minutes for their machine to load at any one time, PC slowdowns have become one of the top seven most stressful everyday experiences, according to the study.

So-called digital downtime has climbed into the top seven, with a quarter putting the experience on a par with waiting for the boiler to be fixed.

The list includes waiting for a bus or train, and waiting for a non-reserved table at a restaurant.

Stefan Kratzer of SanDisk said: “PC users are spending too much time waiting for computers and would quite understandably like to get more time back to do the things they enjoy.

“It’s high time PC users started getting back the time they are losing to slow computers.”