How long before you get bored with your computer and want a new one

alberich · 04-17-2016, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enorbet

but the experience is amazing.

I don't care much for the alleged "amazing viewing experience". LCD have given me perfect quality.

I will never trade that for such a huge and heavy monster, that potentially emits high energy rays, and you say also that it's really expensive.

For me that's over.

tshikose · 04-17-2016, 11:25 AM

Hi,

I try to take close care of Moore law.
So I change upgrade to the new ~700$ laptop every 2 years.

For desktop, it does not really matter to me, as much performance is not often required but storage.
So with my more than 10 GBs hard disks, I am fine running 5 years old desktops.

I am planning to acquire some refurbished HP servers in the coming months.
They will allow me to put in place virtualization environment at home with thin clients all around.
And be quiet for 5 years, I hope.

enorbet · 04-17-2016, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alberich

I don't care much for the alleged "amazing viewing experience". LCD have given me perfect quality.

I will never trade that for such a huge and heavy monster, that potentially emits high energy rays, and you say also that it's really expensive.

For me that's over.

It isn't "alleged". It is a provable fact at least for the time being until more advances are made in Flat Panels. Don't get me wrong, since I don't work in pro photography or illustration I was glad to give up the weight and bulk of CRTs for a nice flat panel, though I did hold out for 120Hz "refresh" capability. I did buy stock in a company that combined discrete but solid state electron guns, millions of them, directly in line with a phosphor coated screen in an evacuated space that was less than an inch thick but the CEO died unexpectedly and the company fell apart even though they had a defense contract to supply instrumentation for the Abram's tank. There is "more than one way to skin a cat" and they all have tradeoffs.

alberich · 04-17-2016, 08:52 PM

In an office situation I don't mind working with a monitor that weights half a ton and views better.

But at home I don't want one in my possession, I am about to move anyway. A 10 year old LCD's viewing quality is absolutely sufficient for me. So I don't have need for a monitor or some kind of almost-high-end solution for connoisseurs or professionals.

Jeebizz · 04-17-2016, 09:05 PM

Since the subject has switched to display, actually there are some cases with a CRT is preferable, and CRTs are still in use in certain areas where not only resolution is needed, but the monitor in question has to display colors in absolute high contrast/quality and accuracy. Non-CRTs, LCDs, LEDs, don't have that advantage.

Quote:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathod..._disadvantages

Pros

High contrast ratio (over 15,000:1),[62] excellent color, fairly wide color gamut and low black level.
No native resolution; the only current display technology capable of true multisyncing (displaying many different resolutions and refresh rates without the need for scaling).
No input lag.
No ghosting and smearing artifacts during fast motion due to sub-millisecond response time, and impulse-based operation.
Higher refresh rates, resolution, deeper colors, phosphor glow
Long life (a few or several decades, depending on use)
Newer CRT have similar weight and power consumption (NEC thin profile models and similar), though nice, higher cost of production prevented these from going into mass production against LCD.
Near zero color, saturation, contrast, or brightness distortion.
Excellent viewing angle.
Allows the use of light guns/pens.
Can be used or stored in both extreme hot and cold temperature conditions without harm to the system.[63]
Even decades older quality CRT have far better viewing quality and size than LCD put into laptops well into the 2000s or still.
The heavier CRT (not NEC thin) have a very low theft rate but engineering quality picture.
An adjusted CRT will appear new for decades, while an LCD with a replaced back-light will often show artifacts such as dust spots, bright spots, dark corners, improper filter order issues, tube light showing through, etc.
CRT are not damaged by a child pushing a finger onto picture, while even quality LCD are (none seem to come with a front filter to protect LCD, possibly to keep weight competitive).

Cons

Cost per square foot to produce an acceptably viewed screen is far higher for CRT (especially if the LCD manufacturer did not pay patents, most or all are continually in patent disputes). Much of an LCD is done with plastic layers and packing tape.
CRT equivalents of LCD are simply unavailable in today's market, few high definition CRTs were ever made for home TV market (they looked great, but were heavier), computer CRTs were excluded from support of the market.
CRTs lack new standards (i.e., internal computer): one important one is the "very long cord" ability some LCD have (to send data to monitor rather than attempt to bus high fidelity picture signal over short cable). However this was by fashion not needed: older CRT and Computer Terminals accepted data rather than analog signal up into the 1980s, but were left on the shelf for the push on better image viewing consumers demanded; which for the price only analog short wires could provide.
Large size and weight of older technology CRT (preceding NEC thin technologies, which are about the same weight as LCD but cannot be produced at the larger screen sizes LCD can be); however that is comparing CRT to LCD before LCD was even used for image viewing; not quiet equitable.
CRT are less fit to be installed in outdoor locations, although many were.
Higher power consumption by lower cost CRT.
Dust electrostatically accumulates inside non-sealed units due to the high voltages of 10-50kV, which may cause short circuits
Higher weight and box dimension of lower cost CRT (possibly more repairable due to).
Geometric distortion on lower cost CRT (not very poor LCD viewing on lower cost LCD).
Older technology CRT suffer screen burn-in, though not as quickly as Plasma displays.[citation needed], However nothing recent allows burn-in, nothing since the early 1990s perhaps before.
For lower cost CRT refresh rates lower than 85 Hz are poorer for viewing (wrong persistence of phosphor used in some low cost CRT) compared to old broadcast TV 24 Hz having long persistence phosphor. However LCD had blurring issues and were terrible in comparison (some still) to even 72 Hz.
Both are hazardous to repair/service without proper training and precautions taken, both have invisible dangers and ones made visible.
Maximum size for direct-view displays is limited to about 40 inches due to practical and manufacturing restrictions (a CRT display of this size can weigh about 300 pounds), though the sizing can be increased with an array of separate displays, such as the original Jumbotron used at sports arenas.
The glass envelopes contains toxic lead and barium as X-ray radiation shielding. The phosphors can also contain toxic elements such as cadmium. Many countries treat CRTs as toxic waste and prohibit their disposal in landfills or by incineration, and charge a fee for deposit of the 50-75 lb of well recyclable material (copper, aluminum, plastic, rare earths).
A damaged CRT could be a radiation hazard, though anything from about the 1980s and beyond have radiation auto-shutoff builtin by law.
Purity and convergence in color tubes requires extra personal equipment to set but can be eyed for presentable viewing if lost (convergence would sway and need to be set in older TV, but in new CRT automatic degaussing solves focus and purity for most) (on modern CRT having this set is one of the least likely end of life scenarios)
Sensitive to magnetic interference more than LCD, a slight extra chance a TV would be moved during installation where an LCD would not (note such a disturbance is cause by faulty home wiring, the wiring should be tended to if the TV shows EMF disturbance, i.e. polarity reversal and misinstallation of ground wires are possible).
Image edges of most CRT viewed very close are slightly diffuse (blurred). However CRT light waves are designed to blend to be sharper at viewing distance (viewing them up close is amateurish). However many CRT like Sony sf used perfect lines. Packard Bell in the mid-1980s had 0 blur using 3 dots in a square, which showed perfect square text but the sharp edges were a little disappointing for those interested in still or moving picture imagery using low resolutions (and many were).

rob.rice · 04-17-2016, 11:31 PM

I keep computers till they dirt nap I still have a 600mhz
tower with 2 250 GB hdds I use for video downloading
high speed inter net is cheaper than decent cable TV

Germany_chris · 04-18-2016, 09:08 AM

I buy used so I can give into the Immma gonna buy a computer 'cause

hazel · 04-18-2016, 09:51 AM

If we're on the subject of CRTs versus flat screen monitors, it's worth pointing out that neither of my old CRT monitors could properly display white characters on a black background in the GUI (for example on a web page), whereas my present flat screen does it perfectly.

noordinaryspider · 04-19-2016, 01:56 AM

I don't get bored so much as retire them from the internet, hand them down to kids, put them out to pasture, or take my time trying to fix their problems while the next one takes over the heavy lifting.

I bought my first computer for $200 in 2001. That's not very long to observe a pattern, especially since there have been exceptions, but "normal" seems to be buying a five year old computer for $200 every five years.

There are always "project computers" besides the five year old computer and the ten year old computer and somebody laughing at the "mess" and thinking I can't do what I'm already doing.

onebuck · 04-19-2016, 04:32 PM

Hi,

My cycles for purchases depend on the capabilities of the system(s). Current Laptop is a Dell XPS702 w/16GB, 240GB SSD used on a Laptop lap bench. Meets the needs for now but may get a new one in the near future. It all depends on what the wife spends on the new house in Florida.

I've got a new Dell that will be taken to Florida to use while there. I still need to setup the LAN and security for the new home. Enough to keep me busy for a while but will not interfere with my daily Golf.

Do not have time to get bored, enough to do here in Illinois and more to do in Florida. Computers are tools too me and used to fill the need whenever I need to do that type of work. Just like a good tool box, each tool has a purpose and will be OK until it breaks or wears out then replace. Treat my computers and peripherals the same way.

Quote:

“A tool is but the extension of a man's hand and a machine is but a complex tool. He that invents a machine augments the power of man and the well being of mankind.” - Henry Ward Beecher

I do buy some new technology to experiment with but that too is just to meet my curiosity and to keep up with new technologies. Friends give me their old smart phones and I use then as access devices around the LAB & home. My wife got me a new iPhone 6s for Christmas. I asked why? She said the old smart phone was out dated. I told her that I still got calls from her with it and I could call with it. But I've got a 6s strapped to my belt. Nice but over priced for a phone.

So, I hope everyone can see that I do not just go out and buy something to be buying. I do recycle a lot. At one time I would get older desktop systems and rebuild and condition the system to be used by people who could not afford a new system. I quit doing that when everyone started using me as their support tech. Best way to stop this was to charge a diagnostic fee then quote a repair tag price. Close friends will still get advice & support but it got old when people start referring me to everyone. I'm retired and did not want to be in the business any longer.

Whenever we go out for dinner with friends and a problem is presented. I will politely state that I am out to eat not repair their system. Most times they will gracefully accept that and drop the query.

Have fun & enjoy!

weirdwolf · 04-19-2016, 07:27 PM

Depends on if I have money to spend or not. Right now I'm using the same case (mini tower) I got back in 2005 ('cause I haven't seen one I like better) but the rest is much newer (1-2 years) recently got a SSD but haven't installed it internally yet.

alberich · 04-19-2016, 08:14 PM

I don't know how much money I'd have to find that I would feel the need to replace my working PC from 2007.

Surely an amount far beyond 50.000 to 100.000 €.

First I would buy some new boots ans skis and visit Switzerland, then I would fix my car in many ways. Then go to Nordkapp by car, then visit Iceland, then Canada. Then New Zealand. Iran, Kamtchatka, Lake Baikal, Georgian Republic. Tibet. Rocky Mountains and Alaska, too. And Patagonia, Pamir and Greenland.

vmccord · 04-20-2016, 12:09 PM

I get tired when I have to make physical changes to a machine. That's just not my thing. So when video cards need to be upgraded and then that requires new power units and memory needs expanding.... I'm done.

noordinaryspider · 04-20-2016, 12:31 PM

I stretch my comfort zone when I have some history with the machine.

There's no way I'd buy a random machine that needs a new video card I don't know how to install just to save a buck, but if my trusty workhorse and daily companion and artificial short term memory of five years is about to become ewaste and I either can't afford to pay someone to do it for me or can't find anyone who's willing to do it instead of mansplaining why they think I'm supposed to want to buy a new windows machine, then I do the best I can.

Sometimes I succeed and trusty workhorse is saved.

Sometimes I fail but I learn something new that can benefit the next trusty workhorse.

VamosBaby · 04-20-2016, 02:07 PM

I don't get bored with my computer. Currently posting from a 1998-vintage laptop:

Code:

$ cat /proc/cpuinfo 
processor	: 0
vendor_id	: GenuineIntel
cpu family	: 6
model		: 6
model name	: Mobile Pentium II
stepping	: 10
cpu MHz		: 366.600
cache size	: 256 KB
fdiv_bug	: no
hlt_bug		: no
f00f_bug	: no
coma_bug	: no
fpu		: yes
fpu_exception	: yes
cpuid level	: 2
wp		: yes
flags		: fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 mmx fxsr
bogomips	: 730.72