Moore's Law and Shopping

GWC Community Geek Hobbies
#1

I’m going to recount a little experience I had recently while browsing through amazong’s computer section:

I was perusing my favorite online retailer, amazon, when I thought it would be a delightful idea to browse what kinds of computers are on the market. I had bought a fairly mediocre laptop not a year before, and I was ready to take a look at buying a new desktop. The notebook I have has a 1.8Ghz processor, 1GB of RAM and around 160GB of data storage. Pretty sucky, but it was worlds away from my old desktop. I was happy. I was zen. I was struck with child-like awe at computing.

That is, until I took a look at newer computers.

For around 800 dollars I could triple the amount of RAM, nearly double my processor, and increase my HDD by 200 gigs. I, with a look of inhuman dismay, clicked away from this beautiful bounty of electronics.

And now I am plagued by dreams of 4, 6, even 8gigs of RAM and disc space that would make even an old server weep.

Has this happened to anyone else? Has anyone else realized that by the time you buy a computer it will be obsolete.

Please feel free to share your misery. I sympathize completely.

#2

Oh good lords, man, I made my peace with that years ago.

In fact, I make it work for me. I took two steps back from the bleeding edge, and haunt the refurbished section of store.apple.com to find my computing needs for teh cheep.

#3

When i buy a new item of technological value i don’t even look at ads or in stores for at least 3 months. I think after that its acceptable to see the new prices and not worry too much that you could get the same thing for much much cheaper. but the way i see it is that you enjoyed your tech earlier than all those cheap suckers who wait for a few more months (which i happen to be)

#4

Frankly, I had to cancel my subscription to PC magazine because it would just depress me to read all the cool stuff coming out. I have taken a page out of Pike’s book. When I upgrade I go to 2 steps prior to bleeding edge. The prices are much better & there’s a significant upgrade from what I have at the moment. I also specifically design my build to allow me to expand so I’m not rebuilding every time.

#5

I cancelled mine many years ago, for that same reason. It became like Playboy mag. I could look but couldn’t have and instead I’d just read the articles. Very depressing.

#6

Exactly, sir! Exactly!