In the days of old people would keep computers as long as 5 years or longer. However these days a new computer barely gets past 3 years before needing replacement – or so it seems.
You can easily get 5 years out of a computer if you buy it correctly the first time.
In fact, you most likely already own a computer that you can get a few more years out of.
Three facts about Windows
You’re probably using Windows. And there’s nothing wrong with that. However the way in which the “life” of a Windows release is conducted is nothing short of ridiculous.
Here’s why:
1. Every new version of Windows ever released is made for computers that either don’t exist or are far too expensive to buy new.
Microsoft has made a a time-honored “tradition” of sorts ever since Windows 95 to release versions of the Windows operating system that when new, only work properly on super-fast (at the time) and super-expensive (at the time) computers.
2. When PCs get to the point where they run a current Windows OS version as it was originally intended to run, Microsoft always releases a new version.
This is a huge reason some people hate Microsoft so much. When PCs were fast enough to run Windows 95, Windows 98 was released. When PCs caught up with 98, XP was released. When PCs caught up with XP, Vista was released.
Each of these instances required more speed, more RAM, more hard drive space – more everything.
It makes computer users quite upset – yours truly included.
3. Every single new release of Microsoft Windows takes at least 2 years for the industry to get “used to” it.
While it’s true Windows is the king of backwards compatibility (that’s a plus by the way – it works with lots of older hardware), anything new introduced into the OS takes a couple years before computer accessory manufacturers catch up to it. And when I say “catch up” I mean having drivers written, routines programmed and so on.
The end result is a cyclical process. Every 3 years your computer gets so obsolete that you literally have to throw it out for a new one that will run the latest Windows OS just to run apps. This is extremely frustrating.
However – you can lengthen this process to 5 years if you shop smart with your hardware and perform routine software maintenance.
Up next, we’ll talk about the PC itself, concentrating on getting a box that allows for the longest period of time before you need to buy another one.
Stay tuned.
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Philip Pearson-Every Brown
1504 days ago
Heh Heh! How true David…great article! I still run several PC’s with Win 95 / 98 and Win 2K for various jobs at my home-office. Being a tech-freak however I must confess to a slight thrill of anticipation everytime MS announce a new OS as I can’t wait to see the knock on effect for all that new hardware! My wife coined the phrase “geek-aholic” to label my obsession!
Happy New Year to you, your family, Rich and all the PC Mech Edu readers!
Randy Tallman
1501 days ago
I have made some of my computers last longer than 3 years by changing out the hard drives, updating the video card, and keeping it tuned with a good pc registry program like PCTOOLS programs. Most of mine are running up to 6 years before buying the latest technology.
If there are too many programs accumulating that I don’t regularly use, they are removed and stored on a CD or DVD backup in a collection. That way if I want them in the future they will be available.
It is great when you can get more life than the average computer user.
justin
1489 days ago
i am running on a dem 3000 thats pretty old. i had a small upgrade to add memory in 07′ and it runs fine. but recently ive gotten the opportunity to take my music to a new level by recording. im using cubase right now with just the basic h4 interface. But i am afraid to spend money on new equipment if this comp isnt ganna last much longer. any one know how much longer it will last before it wont function? please respond by email because i havent even looked at what web site i am on right now (i.e. i dont intend on coming back to it at this point in time, though i might if i get good help=]) please if anyone can help me out. Im 17 and work in fast food saving for collage so i have a hundred a month or so to play with.
email at justinkadoura@yahoo.com
Robert A Zanol
1436 days ago
How true David. I just got tired of everything about Microsoft and made the jump to Linux back in July 08. Best move I ever made. My machine is super fast now. After the boot process only 353 MB of my 4 Gb ram are being used. Plus the OS and all software is free! I was running XP Pro in Linux with Sun Virtual Box because I need Adobe Acrobat professional for work. Then my DSL went on the fritz and the techs couldn’t or didn’t know how to work with linux. So I had to reinstall Windows to a hard disk again. No biggie as I have plenty of HD space. I really do not miss Microsoft or it’s products. I only have Windows for work and I have some diagnostic tools for when I repair computers. They are the only times I boot into Windows. Of course I need to keep abreast of Windows so I have PC Mech to help me there. I can’t repair/build if I don’t know Windows. Sayanora Microsoft.
Rich Menga
1504 days ago
(*sniff*)… I’m not Dave. See “About the author” above to see who wrote this article.
BUT THAT’S OKAY.
I’m seriously considering changing my name to “not Dave”.
A good new year to you as well. Stay safe.