Why do YOU upgrade?

Message

epbrown · #1 Post by **epbrown** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 6:41 am

Seeing the First Thinkpad thread made me wonder what motivates everyone to upgrade from their favorite models. I'm slow to upgrade myself (I'm writing this on a Transnote) because my requirements tend to be modest. As long as a laptop can run the same version of Office (2000) my job does, I'm pretty well set. I remember I bought my first 600 for the DVD capability. My most common reasoning is improved portability - something lighter that's just as fast with good battery life.

What motivates everyone else- hardware requirements, software requirements, or some new killer app that didn't exist before like wifi or DVD-RW?

#2 Post by **JaneL** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:13 am

I added another option to your poll.

I upgraded to the T40 I have now because my T23 finally bit the dust and was out of warranty. Some day I may get around to fixing it, but I needed a notebook in a hurry. I found the T40 for a good price and bought it.

Website · #3 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:51 am

I upgrade when I find outstanding deals.

"Seek and ye shall find"...good prices - I live "buy" it

pphilipko · #4 Post by **pphilipko** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:30 pm

I usually upgrade when either my computer is irreparable, or if the programs I use do not meet the requirements.

(Occasionally, I upgrade when a new 'break' in technology is too good to resist.)

#5 Post by **Kyocera** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:43 pm

I think overall it is easier to upgrade than to try and keep and older system "modernized".

epbrown · #6 Post by **epbrown** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:44 pm

True, I sometimes wonder how far I want to take upgrading. A good Transnote will run you $400-$500. I've recently paid $165 to upgrade the drive to a 7200rpm 80GB model, $45 to replace the sub battery, $25 to replace the CMOS battery, and I pay $60 a month for Verizon Broadband Access so it can connect anywhere. When it comes time to replace the main batteries in a year or two, I'll be "upside down" on it - more money spent than it cost.

Still, I'm a long way from what a modern replacement (X41 tablet) would cost me and it should meet my needs for the forseeable future unless my usage patterns change pretty dramatically. If it could somehow have built-in USB 2.0, I'd be golden (I currently use a pc card for that).

#7 Post by **jdhurst** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:50 pm

I upgrade to keep on top of things. That said, my T41 does everything I need running the most modern of every piece of software I know of. The next step, maybe (depending on digital rights ownership of my machine) will be a new ThinkPad with Windows Vista. What is definitely more important to me is modern software rather than the latest PC.
... JD Hurst

#8 Post by **AlphaKilo470** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:15 pm

I upgrade when my wallet doesn't forbid me to. My main reason when I do upgrade is the usual: new software, faster hardware, old hardware dying, etc.

#9 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 12:07 am

Why I upgrade?

While it is fun to be on the 'bleeding edge', my wallet won't allow it. But when I've had a system for several years and I see a nexus where several bleeding edge technologies come together, that is when I like to upgrade to a new system.

I also upgrade piecemeal to allow my existing computers to work awhile longer. Sometimes a piece of software I want to use requires more hardware than my current system provides. Other times, I realize the speed boost just makes it worthwhile.

One example of an upgrade path I took.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I bought a pizza box 386-25 and had it for several years. Later, I upgraded the RAM and added a CD reader.

Then after I had it about 5-years I replaced the motherboard, CPU (Pentium 75) and RAM. While the motherboard was the same form factor as my pizza box, the memory chips hit the drive bays, so I had to buy a tower for it to fit in.

Then a couple of years later, my kids wanted software that required Windows 95. I installed Windows 95, but my soundcard wouldn't work. I bought a new soundcard, but didn't realize it required a 90 Mhz CPU minimum. I bought a 133 Mhz CPU. About a year later I bought a newer video card that was OS/2 compatible, a larger used Dell CRT display, and a CD writer.

Finally I added more RAM and upgraded the CPU to a 200 Mhz (non-MMX as the motherboard wouldn't support it.), and installed Windows 98SE.

Then about 7 years after I bought the Pentium motherboard and 12 years after I bought the original 386, I bought a P4 2.6 Ghz complete system - yada yada yada (Aug. 93). This P4 I bought from a company that allowed me to choose almost all the hardware inside. That way I was able to have excellent hardware just a step back from the very latest (to save cost).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My first laptop was a used ThinkPad 600E. I kept it for a little over 2 years, then I bought a brand-new T42 this last February. I love it! The 600E was passed down to my daughter - who was very pleased to get it.

#10 Post by **K. Eng** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:15 am

I upgrade when it is no longer cost effective to maintain or upgrade my systems.

dr_st · #11 Post by **dr_st** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:10 am

Well, actually, it's a little bit of everything with me. I used to be a slow upgrader. That was when I was little and all expenses were covered by my parents. I only upgraded my first PC (Pentium 100 it was) aftered it completely died (motherboard).

Now I'm trying to upgrade a bit more often, and by small increments. I try to get core components that would last me for a while (like the 3.0GHz Northwood I got a year and a half ago - still pretty fast even today; or the T42 I got half a year ago - I could have saved a lot of cash by going for something like a T41 or a lower-end Celeron-M, but decided to invest in the Dothan platform, for it to be more lasting).

Then I upgrade the small things as I need - I've upgraded the RAM on both my laptops, bought wireless equipment for my home network, upgraded my desktop speakers. Next thing I'm going to upgrade is the video card on my desktop PC.

With that said, I do have one problem, and I'm not sure how serious it is. It is very hard for me to get rid of old hardware. Mainly because I think - hey, if it still works - why throw it away? I have an old AMD K6, running Windows 98 SE, that I use for old games and less intensive tasks. My mom always uses it for her work (word processing and the like) and I'm thinking - why would I want to throw that away?

What's the problem then? Well, if in a year or two I need another desktop computer, I will not have the room for it in my house.

Then again, by that time it's possible that I will move out completely...

christopher_wolf · #12 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:30 pm

I am more of a slow upgrader as well; with occasional huge jumps. It is really suited to the particular user.

LtTPfan · #13 Post by **LtTPfan** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:52 am

Why do I upgrade?

Because I'm weak and have been unable to find a 12-step program for my addiction.

Seriously though, it's usually because applications I need either require it or my machine simply bogs down too much due to their demands, or because it won't support needed hardware.

I never ride the crest of the technology wave, it's simply not cost effective. Lagging behind a little provides me the best price/performace payoff. One of my sons works part-time for an architect who has an addiction to having the latest and greatest PC products. This guy pays well so his obscession provides my son with earnings comparable to many full-time jobs, allowing him to devote more time to his college studies.

Duff · #14 Post by **Duff** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:36 pm

I upgrade because I want something faster, not only to be more productive, but to 'brag' to others

.

Of course, the newer software is always a bonus too.

My wallet forbids me to upgrade more than once every few years unfortunately.

damorg · #15 Post by **damorg** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:15 pm

Once a system is out of warranty, if something show-stopping breaks I weigh whether or not to upgrade to totally hardware. The more expensive it is and the longer it takes to fix the broken hardware, the more likely I am to go with a whole new system. This is especially true if there have been significant improvements in hw, portability, and/or connectivity since I last made a major purchase.

After I get back up and running, I keep my eyes open for good/convenient deals to get the broken system fixed and either pass it on to friend/family or re-purpose it nobody needs it. I always have a home project or two waiting for workable hardware to become available.

dsvochak · #16 Post by **dsvochak** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 2:43 pm

I'm an "Other" vote. For my reasons, see this thread
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=16775

NTL1991 · #17 Post by **NTL1991** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 5:45 pm

(OK... So what if Im bringing back the dead...)

I upgrade when the prices come down. I know everythings about 64bit now and people cant resist their AMD Athlon 64FX and Dual Core P4 CPU and PCI Express... But I like to do that when the prices drop around half of their original price then I upgrade... I have my trusty Compaq Presario 5000 with a Duron 900Mhz CPU with 768MB RAM and you dont see me complaining. I have some games that are intensive that need a fast cpu but I just reduce the graphic quality and go on... So later on in a year or so, I might get a fast P4 or Athlon 64 and DDR2 RAM and a PCI-e card and all those doo dads

But for now Im fine

Nick

#18 Post by **AlphaKilo470** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 4:09 am

To add on to what I posted earlier, I prefer to be able to upgrade after a major new OS comes out from Microsoft and never right before because I like to be sure my computer can run the software. I built a Celeron 300 desktop in 1999, right after everyone had got settled with Win98SE, in 2002, after WinXP had some time to be tested, I built my Athlon which, sadly, is on MAJOR life support and I plan on putting together my next desktop sometime after Windows Vista comes out and has had time to get all the bugs worked out.

Laptops are a whole other story for me though, I just try to get what I can with have at the moment then make that computer last as long as humanly possible. Fortunatley, I think that the 600E I just got will last me pretty long as it's able to surf the web and run Office every bit as fast as my Athlon desktop.

Why do YOU upgrade?

What makes you upgrade?

Why do YOU upgrade?

Who is online