Comments on: Saving Money Purchasing Computers

By: joe_dude

joe_dude — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:57:21 +0000

LOL… the newer games, whether they are FPS, RTS, etc., all require a lot more horsepower these days than any budget computer can handle.

It’s good advice for a “surfing” computer, but I’m not willing to play games so it looks like Colecovision.

Add the cost of an Xbox 360 or PS3, and the budget computer doesn’t look so cheap anymore.

By: Mr. Cheap

Mr. Cheap — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:14:03 +0000

Riscario: I've found some upgrades are worthwhile and others aren't. Adding RAM, a bigger HD or a new video card are all affordable ways to extend the life of your system. I wouldn't even consider upgrading the CPU or the motherboard (at that point its time to buy a new system). Fixing broken parts is also always a debate (I was able to fix me ex's computer when she had a broken power supply - if she would have had to take it to a shop, I'd probably have recommended she replace it instead).

The other issue that needs to be factored in is if you can upgade the component yourself. If you have to pay someone $50 to put in the new stick of RAM, you'd be $50 closer to buying a new computer if you didn't.

Passing computers on to family / friends with less needs is a great approach. For years my parents would always get my cast off desktops (and would be delighted with them).

By: Riscario Insider

Riscario Insider — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 18:19:26 +0000

Interesting post and comments. Over the years, I’ve found that replacing is better than upgrading (e.g., adding bigger hard drive or better video card). So I buy a system and keep it as is during its lifetime. When it’s no longer suitable, I cascade it to another family member. This is usually every two years. I’ve started buying notebook computers (which can’t easily be upgraded anyway).

There are so many choices these days. Using Dell as an example, there is Inspiron for consumers, Vostro for small business, Latitude/XPS for performance. Each has appeal. Within each line, there’s a choice of portability (e.g., 12-13″ screen) and capability (e.g., 17″ screen). Each has appeal. Then there are different prices every week.

The end result is inertia — a form of saving money

By: Wooly Woman

Wooly Woman — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:46:07 +0000

I agree with your philosophy Mr Cheap. My current computer went for 5 years and was custom built (with the help of my brother) by me to save costs. My new laptop is fancier, but I ordered from Dell so I could completely customize, choosing the requirements I need to business but not added extras I don’t need. I don’t use it for gaming or music but I need a decent processor, and larger hard drive than off the shelf models have. My splurge was the 17″ screen for mapping- not completely necessary but a nice advantage

By: mariam

mariam — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 22:55:32 +0000

I used to build my own computers and buy quality parts with the intention that I would just upgrade parts as needed. That just doesn’t work as 3 years down the line, the new generation CPUs won’t fit the motherboard or the RAM speed is not optimized. So I would end up rebuilding a whole new machine and give my castoffs (still very good machines) to my brothers.

I do spend a lot on my computers but it doubles as my entertainment system.

By: Mr. Cheap

Mr. Cheap — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:30:22 +0000

WC: You’re right, but the difference is with computers isn’t that they’re different product lines, but they’re the same thing (basically) just newer. So its as if the Lexus turned into a Toyota after you’d owned it for 6 months.

By: the Wealthy Canadian

the Wealthy Canadian — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:36:46 +0000

Similar arguments can be used for many products.
e.g., Instead of buying a new Lexus sedan buy a used Toyota Avalon. Invest the difference in what you were going to pay. By the time you’re ready for your next car you’ve got the cash.

By: NeverStopBuying.com

NeverStopBuying.com — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:47:12 +0000

or only buy when there’s excellent deal, or price error.

bought before:
$649 Dell 640m (BIG price error)
$389 Dell AMD X2 Desktop with Vista, that’s “supposed” to end after 500 units, try 5000

On Sale now:
$399 Dell Vostro 200 Desktop with an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4400 (2.00GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800FSB), 1GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive, 16x DVD Burner and Vista Basic

I agree, cheapest desktop works fine as long as you have expansion room (aka PCI-E slot, SATA slots, etc…)

Now, it’s a different story when you consider Apple iMac. They don’t start cheap at all, but I suppose they have bigger “Bragging” rights~

By: FourPillars

FourPillars — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:17:36 +0000

Telly you might want to look at an online backup service.

I bought an external hard drive and occasionally back everything up there.

Mike

By: telly

telly — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:08:36 +0000

Mike: Though I’m no computer nerd, I like the idea of open source (but would not have a problem with owning shares of Apple…).

I don’t think I’d go for it, but I like the idea of someone (or something) storing and backing up my data for me. We’re very bad about backing up our files yet we have >300G of data since we use a music server /streamer and sold or gave away most of the cds we’ve ripped. That would suck…