Long Term Savings
I write this on a dying computer.
This SUCKS. I had hoped to extend the usual life of this computer by only running it when absolutely necessary. It doesn't stay on if I leave it. I run it for only a few hours a day, if at all. My other computers all kicked the bucket around a year and a half, except for number one, which I also turned off when I left.
Now, after two years, my computer's showing death signs. I have one option left--reformatting, which admittedly I haven't done, but on all my other computers I usually had to after about a year. Maybe this will wipe clean whatever is gunking up my hard drive enough to crash it, but nothing else has worked so far.
So I'm switching to mac if this doesn't work. Everyone sings their praises, and word on the street is that a low-end mac (or probably any mac) will last about five to seven years. Except a low-end mac still costs a grand. Where as a low-end PC--not including the tiny travel ones--runs about $500. So double that... $1000 for an estimated minimum of five years, or $1000 for two combined maximum estimated four years.
The guy at Best Buy did use the phrase "Long term savings," but I wonder if it is, really. I'll really have to dig to scrounge up the money for a mac, whereas a PC will cost me. Now, I've got a wish list of things I want, and the reason I haven't bought a telescope and adapter for my camera is because I can't afford it. That's how I do things. I look at what I want, decide if I can afford it, then buy accordingly. $1000 is going to hurt me a lot more than $500 right now. Both of them will freeze my spending now, but I'll eventually recover (providing I eventually get a job). That being said, when I recover, the money I have will go to other wish list items, and I'll probably end up buying more of those if I don't have to worry about buying a computer. So will I really save money in the long run, or will I just have more money when I want it, but don't need it? Is buying a crappy computer a useful way to curb my spending?
On the other hand...does it just mean I'll be able to buy more cool stuff instead of new computers?
Hmmm....
Honestly, it all comes down to employment. I'm not afraid to say I'm terrified of never finding a job. I'm going through all the proper channels, trying to network with the people I know around Duluth...but it's still uncertain.
Damn, I'm impressed my computer let me finish this entry.
This SUCKS. I had hoped to extend the usual life of this computer by only running it when absolutely necessary. It doesn't stay on if I leave it. I run it for only a few hours a day, if at all. My other computers all kicked the bucket around a year and a half, except for number one, which I also turned off when I left.
Now, after two years, my computer's showing death signs. I have one option left--reformatting, which admittedly I haven't done, but on all my other computers I usually had to after about a year. Maybe this will wipe clean whatever is gunking up my hard drive enough to crash it, but nothing else has worked so far.
So I'm switching to mac if this doesn't work. Everyone sings their praises, and word on the street is that a low-end mac (or probably any mac) will last about five to seven years. Except a low-end mac still costs a grand. Where as a low-end PC--not including the tiny travel ones--runs about $500. So double that... $1000 for an estimated minimum of five years, or $1000 for two combined maximum estimated four years.
The guy at Best Buy did use the phrase "Long term savings," but I wonder if it is, really. I'll really have to dig to scrounge up the money for a mac, whereas a PC will cost me. Now, I've got a wish list of things I want, and the reason I haven't bought a telescope and adapter for my camera is because I can't afford it. That's how I do things. I look at what I want, decide if I can afford it, then buy accordingly. $1000 is going to hurt me a lot more than $500 right now. Both of them will freeze my spending now, but I'll eventually recover (providing I eventually get a job). That being said, when I recover, the money I have will go to other wish list items, and I'll probably end up buying more of those if I don't have to worry about buying a computer. So will I really save money in the long run, or will I just have more money when I want it, but don't need it? Is buying a crappy computer a useful way to curb my spending?
On the other hand...does it just mean I'll be able to buy more cool stuff instead of new computers?
Hmmm....
Honestly, it all comes down to employment. I'm not afraid to say I'm terrified of never finding a job. I'm going through all the proper channels, trying to network with the people I know around Duluth...but it's still uncertain.
Damn, I'm impressed my computer let me finish this entry.