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When Is A Good Time To Upgrade?

Posted by timothy on from the why-it's-nice-of-you-to-ask dept.

Andru Edwards writes "In an article which looks at the techie's mindset as it pertains to upgrading, Hector Martinez takes a deeper look at what makes us want to buy the latest gadgets. What are your options, and when should you actually just keep what you already have?"

19 of 490 comments (clear)

  1. Always by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    On the old Slashdot, there wouldn't have been any other answer.

    1. Re:Always by Kryxan · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Speaking of old slashdot, since when did such ignorance get to make the headlines.
      One time my PC kept shutting down on me for no apparent reason. After about an hour it just kept pooping out on me. I turn it back on, and it would last another 30 minutes before giving up. One day I tried this too many times and something in the back end of the case exploded, leaving tendrils of smoke climbing out the back of the desk. Turned out the power supply fan wasn't working and it kept heating up my PC, causing it to shut down as a form of protection. But I had friends in high places. For a mere $20, I was able to buy a new power supply and bring the whole system back from the dead, almost a full year later. The key is this: If it's only partially broken you can get away with saving a little cash.
  2. Re:Obvious Answer: by isometrick · · Score: 5, Funny

    So ... when your mom gives you your allowance? ;)

  3. Don't. by torpor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I've been in computers for 20 years. I'm now thinking that, all along, this whole 'upgrade' thing is a pile of crap.. .. I'm not thinking of upgrading any more. I'm thinking "maybe its time to learn assembly, chuck away all this bloat, and push this metal really hard".

    Seriously. Upgrading is bad for the environment, especially if you do it in some sorta consumerican goose-step, a fatal religion.

    Lets see an "Ask Slashdot" about 'how did you bring old hardware new life'? Its much more impressive to me to see someone downgrade, albeit with new non-bloated software, than it is to see the 'latest and greatest' ricerbox being sliding off someones credit card ..

    --
    ; -- the corruption of government starts with its secrets. a truly free people keep no secrets. --
    1. Re:Don't. by devphaeton · · Score: 5, Interesting

      On the list of things that humans do that are bad for the environment, upgrading a new video card (which the average human does, well, NEVER) is a little bit lower than exhaling carbon dioxide (which the average human does a lot).

      It'd surprise you to know how many toxic chemicals and heavy metals are in that video card that will find itself in landfill much sooner than necessary.

      In most states, it is illegal to dispose of electronics, especially computers, in landfills or other conventional means without first processing them to some degree.

      Otherwise the electronics recycling business wouldn't be flourishing like it is

      --


      do() || do_not(); // try();
    2. Re:Don't. by mqx · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I was recently lectured by someone who worked in marketing in a UK HI-FI R&D company in the 1980's: his insightful comment (which must also apply to many other technologies, such as computers and mobile phones) was "the key thing we understood is that high fidelity market was not a technology market, it was a fashion market". I'd bet that a lot of slashdot readers are fashionistas more than technocrats - and I'd like to hear some ideas on what behaviours distinguish each type of person.

  4. Upgrade time: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Responibility is when you ask yourself: "Do I *REALLY* need this??"
    Maturity is when you answer: "No."

  5. Best time to upgrade? by LegendOfLink · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Easy, when Carmack puts out a new first person shooter.

    --
    IGB: More fun than eating oatmeal!
  6. Every 6 years by Tibor+the+Hun · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But then again I use Apple products. Right now I have a 1.4 G4, and I don't foresee upgrading it for another 3 years...

    --
    If you don't know what AltaVista is (was), get off my lawn.
  7. Re:Obvious Answer: by Reducer2001 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    What do you think credit is for.

    Screwing over consumers with high interest. What do YOU think it's for?

    --
    When you get to hell -- tell 'em Itchy sent ya!
  8. Simple answer: by Ars-Fartsica · · Score: 5, Insightful

    When do you upgrade? If you are poor, hardly ever. If you are rich, whenever you want. In fact for the rich, the hassle of setting up a new piece of equipment is probably a stronger disincentive than the cost.

    1. Re:Simple answer: by johansalk · · Score: 5, Interesting

      You're absolutely right about the hassle. I'm not saying I'm rich, but I have a technophilic temptation that often interfers with my functional use of the device. I often find that a slightly older, classic and well-reviewed item works best for me, and I've had many occasions where I bought an "upgrade" that turned out to be less preferable when put to use than item i had it was meant to replace.

  9. Re:Obvious Answer II by spidereyes · · Score: 5, Funny

    When my wife says so or when I upgrade my wife.

    --

    I say we just grow up, be adults and die.
  10. NOW! by i_r_sensitive · · Score: 5, Funny
    Er, no NOW!

    And AGAIN!

    Wait... ...NOW!

    Is it Wednesday? Then my answer is NOW!

    You get the point...

    --
    "Talk minus action equals nothing" - Joey Shithead, D.O.A.
    "Talk minus action equals /." -
  11. "whatever you want" by mqx · · Score: 5, Insightful


    I'm looking forward to reading the various replies: but honestly, just do as you please. If you're a gadget freak, then upgrade whenever you want the latest. If you're not, then wait until breakage or functionality is required.

    For example, I've had a GSM phone here in the UK for the last 6 years: initially a motorola tri-band that was part of a no initial cost 12 month lock-in contract in 1998: it served me well until 2003, until I took option on a free upgrade to sony ericson T68i (I'd been getting text-messages about free upgrades for 18 months or so, and finally decided to act) - I even got £20 cash back on sending back the old phone! I don't plan to upgrade again for another 3-4 years or more - that'll be 10 years without paying for a phone; and I'm still on a cheap plan from 2001 for low cost calls :-). I don't need to surf the web on a postage stamp, nor take 1mpixel pictures.

    On the other hand, guys I work with have been through the latest and greatest phones every 12-18 months or so - buying expensive camera/colour models. Sure they are nice and snazzy, but honestly, they don't seem to really use all the extra functionality other than as occasional toy. But, it seems to keep them happy. It keeps me happy knowing they're helping drive the technology forward until I decide to upgrade ;-).

    Back to my hand, I do spend ~£500 a month at good restaurants here in London because that's my thing: when taking to one of these constant upgrade guys once, they couldn't understand why anyone would pay more than £30 for a meal.

    It takes all kinds! Just do what makes you happy and just ensure that you're not doing something you might regret such
    as throwing away 10 years of money on frivolous toys - some people actually have no regrets about this type of thing, I would.

  12. Rule of thumb for me by PoderOmega · · Score: 5, Informative

    To fight the urge to constantly be upgrading the last 6 years my rule has been I can upgrade motherboard and CPU every other year and on the off year I can get a new video card. Also, never spend more than $150 on a video card, or $200 on a motherboard and processor. Of course some upgrade require new RAM, so it isn't a perfect rule.
    Other than that I get a new hard drive about every 3 years and I've had to get a new power supply in there somewhere. This has worked well for me.

  13. Re:Obvious Answer: by KilobyteKnight · · Score: 5, Funny
    Screwing over consumers with high interest. What do YOU think it's for?

    Buying lots of stuff I can't afford and blaming evil corporate entities for making me do it because I am a slave to the bling-bling.
    --
    When will Windows be ready for the desktop?
  14. Re:I upgrade when... by zoloto · · Score: 5, Insightful
    This might seem off topic, but I like how being American has become synonymous with "wasteful and willful negligence" as well as corporatism and greed. I am an American and this is what I am building, as has my family:

    If it is not broke, do not fix it.

    Be able to pay off your credit card in full each month.

    Debt is bad; avoid it at all costs, sans emergencies.

    Do not spend simply because you have an excess of cash - emergencies are not cheap.

    Insurance may cover that slight fender bender, but if you can fix it yourself or leave it you will be doing your premiums and your actual monthly insurance cost (by keeping it lower) a favor.

    There may be an "I" in family, but do not spend like it.

    This is probably unpopular with the consumerism trend and the encouragement of our government to "spend, spend, spend" to keep our economy strong and it is just a total farce. I swear the economy can do much better if based on something other than the revolving debt of our society. Now back to the main point: You do not "need" the latest hardware, software or gadgets. However, damn it they sure are fun!

    More on topic, I sure did get your sarcasm. Your point does register with me 100%. It's a shame that too many people aren't like this in their own practice of financial sensibility and responsibility.

    -- just my 2 cents.

  15. Re:Obvious Answer: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nope. I'm married. I have to ask a totally different woman for permission now.