Purchasing question for all ye sages
Alright, so, I *absolutely* need a new computer a.s.a.p. I'm entering grade 12 with a 6 year old computer, and that simply won't due. It's another year and a half until I'll be entering University, and my mother absolutely won't buy me another computer after this, and the odds are I won't be able to finance one with whatever job I end up getting during the summer. Right now I severely crave mobility, and as such have made an excellent case for the current 1.33GHz Powerbook 15" model. Paired with the $96 dollar (CA) iPod, it's a very appealing deal. I realize, however, that getting five years out of that laptop may be asking too much.
What purchasing pattern would you guys recommend? I don't absolutely require mobility now, but I will in University, and quite simply I won't have the ability to finance a new laptop then... and I certainly can't wait. Do you all have any suggestions that might ease my guilt and concern?
What purchasing pattern would you guys recommend? I don't absolutely require mobility now, but I will in University, and quite simply I won't have the ability to finance a new laptop then... and I certainly can't wait. Do you all have any suggestions that might ease my guilt and concern?
Comments
Originally posted by blackwave
I'm going to be using it for minor-level photo editing (Photoshop CS, again thanks to the school, but I'm used to it on this 6 year old PC, so it won't be bad), Word Processing (Office 04), Instant Messaging & Internet Browsing (wirelessly, once I buy my router), listening to music, and perhaps watching the occasional DVD. My friends want me to put their latest copy of Logic on there and help produce their band, as well.
definately 15" pbook. best bang/longevity for buck based on what you do with a computer.
Sure some will still be working but most people will say 3 years is a more realistic life span of a computer. I have had my 667 TiBook for 18 months and it is still trucking along nicely. Will it last for another 18, I think so. Another 30, I would not place money on it.
2c.
Originally posted by blackwave
And what do you forsee happening to it, if you were to attempt to run it for 30? My current bargain bin 500US IBM system from 6 years ago is still running XP Pro SP2 & Photoshop CS, with only a small RAM upgrade to tide it over. Are you worried the powerbook would fall apart?
i tihnk your pbook will last 5 years. no matter what, it will last WAY longer than any PC
My advice is to buy low, put the rest of the money in the bank, and buy low again in 2-3 years. Back in 1999, you could have bought an original 300MHz iBook for $1500. It would have been almost, but not quite, as good as the Lombard. Three years later, you could have bought a 700 MHz iBook for another $1000. It would have blown the Lombard away. Together they cost the same as a mid-range Lombard did in 1999 ($2500). And today, five years later, you'd still be happily plugging along with a 700 MHz iBook instead of pulling your hair out with a 333 MHz wheezer.
Especially if money is an issue, and it must be if you want your computer to last for five years, I'd recommend buying a 12" iBook for $1000, and put the $800 you saved not buying the PB into the bank. In three years time, buy a brand-new iBook G5 with that money. Not only is it fun to buy a new computer, but your new computer will be able to take advantage of all the neato hardware-dependent toys Apple built into OSX in the meantime.
The 12" iBook is a great deal in my opinion...or the upcoming new G5 iMac.
-M
Don't forget to get the Applecare plan 'tho.
-S
And actually, I'm using a 382mhz Amd K6-2 after six years. Sadly, were the hard drive a little less file-corrupt happy, this would still suffice for my needs.
Arts major, remember? No cirricular need for graphics work.
Originally posted by blackwave
I'm going to be using it for minor-level photo editing (Photoshop CS, again thanks to the school, but I'm used to it on this 6 year old PC, so it won't be bad), Word Processing (Office 04), Instant Messaging & Internet Browsing (wirelessly, once I buy my router), listening to music, and perhaps watching the occasional DVD. My friends want me to put their latest copy of Logic on there and help produce their band, as well.
you could go with an iBook G4... but i would go with the 12 or 15" powerbook, with at least 512 MB RAM.
so.. i think a used 1.xx+ GHZ 15 inch power book would last you quite a while..
hype is a b*tch.. remember that, and youll do ok..
Originally posted by jwri004
Honestly how many computers do last 5 years??
Sure some will still be working but most people will say 3 years is a more realistic life span of a computer.
People on these boards definately have shorter upgrade cycles than the average computer user. It is also likely that their associates are also fairly frequent upgraders.
There are many pentium 2 and 3 boxes still in use at my work. I think you'll find that a five year old box is far from unusual in the corporate world. If an office worker could enter data 5 years ago, then their computer still functions perfectly for that same task today.
Granted, if you are using a computer for pleasure rather than work, it's usefulness (for pleasure) diminishes more rapidly. For work computers, upgrades are normally accompanied by lost productivity. Customer service, finance, accounting, manufacturing, shipping, inventory control, personel logs... will likely not bennefit from a new computer.
I guess my point is, that in the workforce, most people are used to using computers that we would consider ancient.
Computers used as 'tools' are have lengthy lifespans.
Computers used as 'toys' loose their usefulness much more quickly.
When I got a dual 450 five years ago, I didn't envision myself being still satisfied with it in 2004. Yet I am.
I think the reason for this is that I now use my computer as a tool and not as a toy.
Not that there is anything wrong with being a spec-whore hobbiest. It is a fine hobby.
When giving purchasing advice, it is best to realize how the computer will be used...