| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: After how many years do you typically purchase a new computer? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "After how many years do you typically purchase a new computer?".
This poll was originally submitted by tilakahuja. View the poll results »
| | | | Mary Worby 
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:56
German to English
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I'd normally get a 3-4 year warranty, so once that expires, it's time to get a new one.
| | | | | Every 4 years | Feb 3, 2014 |
At least I try. My last one (a Sony desktop running Windows 7) didn't last that long. I'm told that they're only designed to last 3 years. I started on a new one last August, also running Windows 7, after my previous one crashed beyond repair. I love the new one. I hope it lasts a long time so I won't have to face Windows 8 or whatever else they come up with in the future.
| | | | Mike Sadler (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:56
Spanish to English
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| I upgrade bit by bit | Feb 3, 2014 |
Over the years I've tended to upgrade components as and when, but 3 years ago I bought a Nofan completely fanless (i.e. silent) PC with a passively cooled quad output video card and a solid state hard drive. I currently have no intention of doing anything at all to it and hope it will last for many years.
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| Gradual upgrades | Feb 3, 2014 |
I assemble my own PCs, so every time some part requires an upgrade, I replace that part with a "better" one.
I recall noticing, years ago, that my Pentium III computer was still using the Teac floppy drive that I had bought upon building my 386DX40. After that drive died, all others (most Mitsumi) had a short life, until the use of floppy disks died altogether.
My most recent upgrade was the video board. Now I'm replacing one of the DVD-RW drives, a Sony, because its la... See more I assemble my own PCs, so every time some part requires an upgrade, I replace that part with a "better" one.
I recall noticing, years ago, that my Pentium III computer was still using the Teac floppy drive that I had bought upon building my 386DX40. After that drive died, all others (most Mitsumi) had a short life, until the use of floppy disks died altogether.
My most recent upgrade was the video board. Now I'm replacing one of the DVD-RW drives, a Sony, because its laser-emitting diode is tired, past retirement age. It can no longer burn a DL disk completely. This Sony overlasted one Philips, one Lite-on, and two LG similar drives that once were its companions.
SpinRite put an end to replacing hard drives, they are all eternal now.
When Windows XP no longer allows me to do the job, I'll replace the motherboard and the AMD Sempron processor before moving to Windows 7. I've seen Windows XP and Windows 7 on almost identical netbooks, the latter is a lot heavier demands a much more muscle from the hardware.
This should make it obvious why I don't have a notebook. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 23:56
Member (2006)
German to English
I keep up-to-date and save tax at the same time.
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Whenever the old one dies. Or gets stolen, as happened to me last year. :'(
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 23:56
Spanish to English
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Usually whenever it conks out completely, which varies. Although as a user I usually get dragged kicking and screaming into upgrades regardless of whether I want them or not.
I currently have 2 PCs and 2 laptops. My main working PC runs XP; I prefer to keep working in this format because it's the only one I can use my CD dictionaries on. I have later versions of Windows and Office on the laptops in case I need them (I find them useful for proofing) but I really dislike most of the i... See more Usually whenever it conks out completely, which varies. Although as a user I usually get dragged kicking and screaming into upgrades regardless of whether I want them or not.
I currently have 2 PCs and 2 laptops. My main working PC runs XP; I prefer to keep working in this format because it's the only one I can use my CD dictionaries on. I have later versions of Windows and Office on the laptops in case I need them (I find them useful for proofing) but I really dislike most of the interfaces so am clinging on to XP for as long as I can.
PS: I'm actually thinking about reinstalling XP now!! before the support runs out, just to get it up to scratch, but my tech guy thinks I'm crazy..,.
[Edited at 2014-02-03 11:32 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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neilmac wrote:
I currently have 2 PCs and 2 laptops. My main working PC runs XP; I prefer to keep working in this format because it's the only one I can use my CD dictionaries on. I have later versions of Windows and Office on the laptops in case I need them (I find them useful for proofing) but I really dislike most of the interfaces so am clinging on to XP for as long as I can.
PS: I'm actually thinking about reinstalling XP now!! before the support runs out, just to get it up to scratch, but my tech guy thinks I'm crazy...
On the very week when Windows 98 was launched, I was in Southern California with a friend who was definitely "in" the IT circles. While we drove to a computer store to buy it, he said, This one will be good, but not the real thing yet. Microsoft has begun developing the Windows XP, which will be the best OS over many years in the future. They'll have a really hard time to supersede the XP, when time comes do do it."
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Some computers were in good conditions for 3 years, some for 2, some for only 1... it depends
| | | | Mike Hunter (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:56
English to Flemish
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| updating computers | Feb 3, 2014 |
I find it scary that some people let their only computer die before buying a new one, the impact on your business can be catastrophic if you don-t have the data properly backed up. You risk losing all your TMs and previous work for clients, as well as the project(s) you are working on at the time. When I worked freelance, I remember the trauma of being reliant on a single PC. Now I think everyone should have two computers running at the same time. If you back-up between them, you should suffer m... See more I find it scary that some people let their only computer die before buying a new one, the impact on your business can be catastrophic if you don-t have the data properly backed up. You risk losing all your TMs and previous work for clients, as well as the project(s) you are working on at the time. When I worked freelance, I remember the trauma of being reliant on a single PC. Now I think everyone should have two computers running at the same time. If you back-up between them, you should suffer minimum data loss and be able to keep working if the unthinkable happens. If you buy one every two years, you should be able to always have two. I realise this is a big investment, particularly when starting out. I know big agencies and Google are offering cloud solutions, but I wouldn't trust them with valuable data like TMs. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Erzsébet Czopyk
Hungary
Local time: 23:56
Member (2006)
Russian to Hungarian
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SITE LOCALIZER
Kuochoe Nikoi-Kotei wrote:
Whenever the old one dies. Or gets stolen, as happened to me last year. :'(
sorry for your loss
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| I'm in transit... after well over five years | Feb 3, 2014 |
I have three computers, so I hope I'm backed up...
My trusty XP is puffing and panting to keep up with some of my clients, and my laptop continues with a very similar setup.
I now have a new monster installed with Windows 7, Studio 2014 and some of my CD dictionaries actually working.
I had to try it out last week, because a client had a mysterious file that would not open on the old computer, but worked like a charm in Studio 2014. I'm getting used to the rest, and will... See more
| | | | Erzsébet Czopyk
Hungary
Local time: 23:56
Member (2006)
Russian to Hungarian
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER | lifelong learning | Feb 3, 2014 |
Mike Hunter wrote:
I find it scary that some people let their only computer die before buying a new one, the impact on your business can be catastrophic if you don-t have the data properly backed up. You risk losing all your TMs and previous work for clients, as well as the project(s) you are working on at the time. When I worked freelance, I remember the trauma of being reliant on a single PC. Now I think everyone should have two computers running at the same time. If you back-up between them, you should suffer minimum data loss and be able to keep working if the unthinkable happens. If you buy one every two years, you should be able to always have two. I realise this is a big investment, particularly when starting out. I know big agencies and Google are offering cloud solutions, but I wouldn't trust them with valuable data like TMs.
Its how I did before. I did not buy anything until did not see a blue death screen first time.
Since then I met a wonderful specialist who helped me so much to explore the PC world and understand how important the regular investment is.
I have an Intel (R) Core(TM) i5-2320 CPU with 8 GB RAM, with a Windows7 but a new video card would be an advantage.
Purchased an 1TB mobile flash memory a year ago, since then regularly update my "savings" in the end of the month.
And I have a virtual PC with Windows XP but my old Trados does not want to work at all all TMs saved but cannot invest to a new Trados right now...
[Módosítva: 2014-02-03 14:22 GMT]
| | | | DianeGM
Local time: 00:56
Member (2006)
Dutch to English
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At the first sign of serious obsolescence - usually that's signaled by the letters starting to disappear from the keys. I run a desktop and two laptops and I replaced all my old friends last summer. I'm having a bit of a more adversarial relation with my new(ish) laptops for some reasons this time around though.
[Edited at 2014-02-03 16:05 GMT]
[Edited at 2014-02-03 16:05 GMT]
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