Use DPSS lasers rather than the old flashlamp technology and you can get thousands of hours of reliable output when they are run within their rated parameters. Other advantages of DPSS lasers include:

Reliability:
Flashlamps burn out unpredictably and often. Diode arrays degrade gracefully over a long time; many last in excess of 20,000 hours.  

Greater Efficiency:
Diode arrays are far more electrically efficient than flashlamps. As an example, Nd:YAG diode array light is tuned to 808 nm ±3nm, which is where the YAG host material absorbs the greatest percentage of light. A flashlamp outputs a broad white light source, ~95% of which turns into waste heat.  

Lower Voltage Requirements:
Diode-pumped lasers do not require the same high voltages necessary for an equivalent flashlamp system. The input power required for a diode-pumped laser is typically 5-10% of the equivalent flashlamp system, eliminating the need for 3Ø power.  

Compact Design:
Diode-pumped systems allow for smaller, more compact housings.  

Beam Quality:
Diode-pumped lasers are known for their superior beam quality. You'll find that this is especially true when you end-pump with diodes. When radially pumped, the M squared at full power is ~20 for most systems, depending on the cavity design - as opposed to the usual >40 of most flashlamp systems.  

Less Waste Heat:
With diode-pumped lasers, you can achieve cooling with closed loop standard distilled water, or a mixture of water and glycol - without the need for de-ionization and external city or tower cooling water.  

Durability:
Diode-pumped lasers are rugged. Often these systems are shipped overseas via common carriers, yet when they arrive, you can simply plug them in and begin lasing. Generally, you'll see >95% of rated output power without any readjustment to the laser system.  

Ease of Conversion:
You can easily retrofit a flashlamp system to utilize diode arrays. With CEO's diode pump heads, most flashlamp systems can be easily converted to a diode-pumped system in about four hours.