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How old is old for a computer?
- Thread starter ericmjl
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no definite time. When I don't want to use it anymore because it's too slow or it's incapable of running the newest software I use, it's time to go
disconap said:
Yeah, it comes back to retro after about 12 years - the early retro stage is akin to when we see early G3 Powerbooks and go "Oooo that's cool" - it disappears for the earlier Powerbooks but comes back in for things like the Powerbook 100.
A computer is only old when it doesn't do what you want anymore, but in reality a computer is pretty much outdated the day you buy it. 
risc said:A computer is only old when it doesn't do what you want anymore, but in reality a computer is pretty much outdated the day you buy it.
very true, and quite sad.
normally i get a new computer every 2 years but not untill the laptop or desktop before it no longer works. 5 years ago i got an ibook, three years ago a powermac, two years ago my gateway to replace the broken ibook.
A computer is old the moment you take it out of its box. It is, however, not too old until it's no longer able to run the software you require (some will add at a reasonable speed).
I can't stop laughing!dynamicv said:
A computer is only too old if it doesn't do what you need, IMO. People often confuse that with "want". Computer companies are always coming out with new models with little extra features that their "old" one doesn't have. Couple that with the way marketing exploits this behaviour and viola. What works fine and does pretty much the same thing is too old.
4 years is old for me.
I'm a pretty heavy power user now (Photoshop CS2, Aperture, Final Cut Suite, Macromedia Apps), and I need a fast computer to let them run.
I think my iMac G5 will tide me over for about.. 3-4 years..
I'm a pretty heavy power user now (Photoshop CS2, Aperture, Final Cut Suite, Macromedia Apps), and I need a fast computer to let them run.
I think my iMac G5 will tide me over for about.. 3-4 years..
depends these days. the speed jump from 400MGz to 2.4GHz is a lot and that was a difference of 4 years. another 4 years later the jump from 2.4GHz to core duo 2.0GHz isnt as great. get what im saying?
A computer is old when it no longer accomplishes the tasks you need it to do. For example, my computer cannot play dvds (only cds) and it cannot stream videos very well. Therefore, I decided to find a modest upgrade to something that could. My next investment will probably be something with Superdrive, but not for a while though (unless a smoking deal comes my way).
Or maybe it's worth it to upgrade every time new architecture comes out:
G3 prior system
G4 (just got)
Intel - next?
Or maybe it's worth it to upgrade every time new architecture comes out:
G3 prior system
G4 (just got)
Intel - next?
Chundles said:
I also think this is backwards, and missing a category.
OLD: A Blue & White G3 is old, not retro, because it can still perform modern tasks and run the latest OS. It just does it rather slowly now. 1998-2002
RETRO: Retro is when a computer cannot run the current OS or any current web browser, but it can be useful if you really want to (using older browsers, older versions of photoshop, etc)... A Retro computer is probably anything from 1992 - 1998, such as a Power Mac 6500.
VINTAGE: A computer so old, it almost completely lacks any ability to perform any useful task in the modern world, and attempting to do so would be foolish for the amount of inexpensive Retro and Old computers is so plentiful, no level of cheapness (not even free) could justify actually using the device today. 1992 and earlier... such as the original Macintosh.
Of course, all of the categories have exceptions (Mac SE/30 may be placed into "retro" category) but I think this is a generally good set of rules. I still continue to use Mac OS 7 on a near daily basis for a variety of tasks.
I replace it when it becomes unreliable in its operation...which seems to be about 6 to 8 years! (good grief! I'm OLD! )
)