Average user replaces computer every 4.5 years

Attention everyone.............water is wet.


Poll a million people and anyone with half a brain would have guessed this very same thing.

come to think about it my desktop is comming on 5 years laptop bought used at a pawn shop is probly 3 or so so they got it on the money round about

It is not surprising when you come to think of it. When I went to college for my computer degree, they said that most computer hardware becomes completely outmoded in 4 yrs, due to the ever increasing advancements in computer hardware. In four years, the brand new computer you get will loose any backwards compatibility to future computers in four years.

They must have polled 1000 kids because most of the adults I know probably go double that length and are still using XP. Polling 1000 people is less than %1 so I can't see this as nothing but bias polling. In fact I just rebuilt a Windows 2000 PC for someone who didn't want to buy a new PC yet.

most consumer electronic crap is designed with a 3-5 year lifespan. look at phones, game systems, computers, music players, cameras, blah-di-blah. if they don't make the crap to be out-dated in a a few years, why would we keep feeding the beast?

They should have included a question about malware. I bet most people get rid of their computers due to software problems. That is really sad. Not only are the authors of malware destroying a pleasant computing experience for billions of people, but they are destroying the planet as well. Filling the landfills with perfectly good computer hardware.

incidentally, i have this nifty conspiracy theory:

malware authors == anti-malware authors

Originally posted by maitland:

---

incidentally, i have this nifty conspiracy theory:

malware authors == anti-malware authors

---

That's not as farfetched as you think.

computer warrenty only last 2 years.an average working familys computer breaks outside of warrenty they just replace it with a new one.a retired person or someone on a lower income will get on here and ask question after question until they find out whats wrong with there computer and fix it themselves.even curious people will get on here and ask questions on whats wrong with there computer.

Originally posted by xboxdvl2:

---

computer warrenty only last 2 years.an average working familys computer breaks outside of warrenty they just replace it with a new one.a retired person or someone on a lower income will get on here and ask question after question until they find out whats wrong with there computer and fix it themselves.even curious people will get on here and ask questions on whats wrong with there computer.

---

Most store bought PC's have a 1 year warranty and if they are HP's odds are it will start breaking down just after the warranty is up. Most people then will bring their PC to people like me or Best Buy to get it fixed and often will pay close to the amount they paid for the computer originally to get it fixed. Most people can't fix their PC themselves but they may go on forums for help before bringing it to someone to fix it.

Originally posted by maitland:

---

most consumer electronic crap is designed with a 3-5 year lifespan. look at phones, game systems, computers, music players, cameras, blah-di-blah. if they don't make the crap to be out-dated in a a few years, why would we keep feeding the beast?

---

1st disagree.
I have computer parts that are going on 11+ years old, still work great. Have a 6+ y/o Logitech Z5500 system still running strong, although it's not a main system anymore. 11 y/o scanner, 8 y/o printer, 7 y/o monitors...etc. So much for that theory.
We feed the beast because the beast keeps getting faster & stronger, as does everything we ask of it.
Just finished my new build 2 months ago simply because I encode Bluray and my times were cut from 30hrs to under 5, plus this i7 2600K system is frikken blazing!!

In fact, I just fired up my 12 y/o cell phone just for the hell of it...guess what...

Originally posted by maitland:

---

incidentally, i have this nifty conspiracy theory:

malware authors == anti-malware authors

---

2nd disagree....STRONGLY!
I worked in the AntiMalware field for over 10 years on my own dime. I've worked with the developers of AdAware, Spybot, HijackThis (allot), MBAM and others. I taught HJT analyzers for years and admin'd forums dedicated to teaching HJT analyzers & other security specialists.
I did independent analysis of new unknown variants for AV companies from 94 to 04, before they became big enough to employ full-time analysts in house.

I can tell you unequivocally that this theory of yours is what falls from a bulls a$$.

Originally posted by ChappyTTV:

---

Originally posted by maitland:

---

most consumer electronic crap is designed with a 3-5 year lifespan. look at phones, game systems, computers, music players, cameras, blah-di-blah. if they don't make the crap to be out-dated in a a few years, why would we keep feeding the beast?

---

1st disagree.
I have computer parts that are going on 11+ years old, still work great. Have a 6+ y/o Logitech Z5500 system still running strong, although it's not a main system anymore. 11 y/o scanner, 8 y/o printer, 7 y/o monitors...etc. So much for that theory.
We feed the beast because the beast keeps getting faster & stronger, as does everything we ask of it.
Just finished my new build 2 months ago simply because I encode Bluray and my times were cut from 30hrs to under 5, plus this i7 2600K system is frikken blazing!!

In fact, I just fired up my 12 y/o cell phone just for the hell of it...guess what...

---

ive seen pentium 4s and a pentium 2 that are still running reasonable but i also know people who brought a dual core system and had it die within 3years.ever seen a clothes dryer or tv from around 20years ago,they last forever.most the newer products arnt made to last.

my computer was store brought and has a 2year warrenty.custom built by the store.

people like to keep up with the jones's.people think having a brand new car or an iphone or a big screen tv or in this case a new computer will make them look rich.

My PC have used for 6 years, till working great and running strong, don't want to change a new one.

Originally posted by xboxdvl2:

---

Originally posted by ChappyTTV:

---

Originally posted by maitland:

---

most consumer electronic crap is designed with a 3-5 year lifespan. look at phones, game systems, computers, music players, cameras, blah-di-blah. if they don't make the crap to be out-dated in a a few years, why would we keep feeding the beast?

---

1st disagree.
I have computer parts that are going on 11+ years old, still work great. Have a 6+ y/o Logitech Z5500 system still running strong, although it's not a main system anymore. 11 y/o scanner, 8 y/o printer, 7 y/o monitors...etc. So much for that theory.
We feed the beast because the beast keeps getting faster & stronger, as does everything we ask of it.
Just finished my new build 2 months ago simply because I encode Bluray and my times were cut from 30hrs to under 5, plus this i7 2600K system is frikken blazing!!

In fact, I just fired up my 12 y/o cell phone just for the hell of it...guess what...

---

ive seen pentium 4s and a pentium 2 that are still running reasonable but i also know people who brought a dual core system and had it die within 3years.ever seen a clothes dryer or tv from around 20years ago,they last forever.most the newer products arnt made to last.

my computer was store brought and has a 2year warrenty.custom built by the store.

people like to keep up with the jones's.people think having a brand new car or an iphone or a big screen tv or in this case a new computer will make them look rich.

---

There is a big difference from a custom built PC and a prefabbed store bought PC. With a custom build you should really have up to 3 thru 5 years warranty but for a store bought PC you'll only have a 1 year warranty.

Kids like bragging rights and they are the ones who will spend the extra money on the new latest stuff regardless of whether they need it or not. Most adults just want something that will run fine and allow them to surf the web and use their office apps and what not. They don't need excessive power or to brag about their video card, i7 cpu, or ping rates.

Originally posted by ChappyTTV:

---

Originally posted by maitland:

---

most consumer electronic crap is designed with a 3-5 year lifespan. look at phones, game systems, computers, music players, cameras, blah-di-blah. if they don't make the crap to be out-dated in a a few years, why would we keep feeding the beast?

---

1st disagree.
I have computer parts that are going on 11+ years old, still work great. Have a 6+ y/o Logitech Z5500 system still running strong, although it's not a main system anymore. 11 y/o scanner, 8 y/o printer, 7 y/o monitors...etc. So much for that theory.
We feed the beast because the beast keeps getting faster & stronger, as does everything we ask of it.
Just finished my new build 2 months ago simply because I encode Bluray and my times were cut from 30hrs to under 5, plus this i7 2600K system is frikken blazing!!

In fact, I just fired up my 12 y/o cell phone just for the hell of it...guess what...

---

yeah, i didn't really mean the hardware stopped working after 3-5 years. just that the support from the companies who make them dwindles to nothing. I have an old 8-bit NES that I play frequently.

Older computer systems can also be serviceable internet machines or network appliances for a very long time (or whatever) as long as you use a stripped-down OS and keep a nice partition table (to keep Windows from choking itself).

Originally posted by Mr-Movies:

---

Originally posted by xboxdvl2:

---

Originally posted by ChappyTTV:

---

Originally posted by maitland:

---

most consumer electronic crap is designed with a 3-5 year lifespan. look at phones, game systems, computers, music players, cameras, blah-di-blah. if they don't make the crap to be out-dated in a a few years, why would we keep feeding the beast?

---

1st disagree.
I have computer parts that are going on 11+ years old, still work great. Have a 6+ y/o Logitech Z5500 system still running strong, although it's not a main system anymore. 11 y/o scanner, 8 y/o printer, 7 y/o monitors...etc. So much for that theory.
We feed the beast because the beast keeps getting faster & stronger, as does everything we ask of it.
Just finished my new build 2 months ago simply because I encode Bluray and my times were cut from 30hrs to under 5, plus this i7 2600K system is frikken blazing!!

In fact, I just fired up my 12 y/o cell phone just for the hell of it...guess what...

---

ive seen pentium 4s and a pentium 2 that are still running reasonable but i also know people who brought a dual core system and had it die within 3years.ever seen a clothes dryer or tv from around 20years ago,they last forever.most the newer products arnt made to last.

my computer was store brought and has a 2year warrenty.custom built by the store.

people like to keep up with the jones's.people think having a brand new car or an iphone or a big screen tv or in this case a new computer will make them look rich.

---

There is a big difference from a custom built PC and a prefabbed store bought PC. With a custom build you should really have up to 3 thru 5 years warranty but for a store bought PC you'll only have a 1 year warranty.

Kids like bragging rights and they are the ones who will spend the extra money on the new latest stuff regardless of whether they need it or not. Most adults just want something that will run fine and allow them to surf the web and use their office apps and what not. They don't need excessive power or to brag about their video card, i7 cpu, or ping rates.

---

Is this implying that I'm a "kid" or only kids upgrade?
At 54, I highly doubt that I would qualify as such, and there is a very large "enthusiast" community who update on a regular basis, mostly middle aged adults too. Ever visited Guru3D or Overclockers.net? And they don't do it just for bragging rights either, almost all of them use their unused cycles at 24/7 Folding teams, therefore putting all that tech power to a good use. They do burn out lots of stuff by OC'ing a tad aggressively, some of them must be swimming in excess cash. LOL
As stated tho, my BR encoding is what prompted me to upgrade at the time, but all software & technologies constantly evolve at a steady rate, and like I said...either keep up or don't complain that your favorite piece of legacy s'ware/h'ware is no longer supported. I like to stay within 4 years or so of new tech & so does much of my needed s'ware.

Kids & gamers also upgrade to keep up with their favorite new releases too, so bragging rights is not all that motivates these users, although they do like to brag about their gear ;)

All I was posting is that I disagree with the statement that tech has a built in 2-3 year expiration date. I have numerous pieces of tech, & not just my handpicked PC parts, that have lasted much longer than double that time frame, as I'm sure many of us have. Sure, you get lemons sometime, but I find that the exception rather than the norm.
Besides, the guy I was replying too has revised his statement & I now wholeheartedly agree.

Originally posted by maitland:

---

Originally posted by ChappyTTV:

---

Originally posted by maitland:

---

most consumer electronic crap is designed with a 3-5 year lifespan. look at phones, game systems, computers, music players, cameras, blah-di-blah. if they don't make the crap to be out-dated in a a few years, why would we keep feeding the beast?

---

1st disagree.
I have computer parts that are going on 11+ years old, still work great. Have a 6+ y/o Logitech Z5500 system still running strong, although it's not a main system anymore. 11 y/o scanner, 8 y/o printer, 7 y/o monitors...etc. So much for that theory.
We feed the beast because the beast keeps getting faster & stronger, as does everything we ask of it.
Just finished my new build 2 months ago simply because I encode Bluray and my times were cut from 30hrs to under 5, plus this i7 2600K system is frikken blazing!!

In fact, I just fired up my 12 y/o cell phone just for the hell of it...guess what...

---

yeah, i didn't really mean the hardware stopped working after 3-5 years. just that the support from the companies who make them dwindles to nothing. I have an old 8-bit NES that I play frequently.

Older computer systems can also be serviceable internet machines or network appliances for a very long time (or whatever) as long as you use a stripped-down OS and keep a nice partition table (to keep Windows from choking itself).

---

Well I do agree with you there my friend, that is very true.
I use my old machine(s) as DNS server, dedicated firewall & email servers. Lots of life and use for them still, but I'm selling my previous Core2Duo box as there's still allot of good tech in there that I can get some $$$ back on.

This field of PC tech we love to hate (sometimes) is a weird beast tho isn't it. Everything evolves so fast, even my current i7 core is now living on limited time with new announcements from Intel about "layering transistors" on die. Even before my core hit the shelf it was outdated tech, same with my P67 chip MB...whaddya do eh...but I should get a good 4-5 years out of this unit until the newest video tech evolves and my encode times go back to 30-40 hours (tears what's left of my hair out!!!)

Originally posted by ChappyTTV:

---

Originally posted by Mr-Movies:

---

Originally posted by xboxdvl2:

---

Originally posted by ChappyTTV:

---

Originally posted by maitland:

---

most consumer electronic crap is designed with a 3-5 year lifespan. look at phones, game systems, computers, music players, cameras, blah-di-blah. if they don't make the crap to be out-dated in a a few years, why would we keep feeding the beast?

---

1st disagree.
I have computer parts that are going on 11+ years old, still work great. Have a 6+ y/o Logitech Z5500 system still running strong, although it's not a main system anymore. 11 y/o scanner, 8 y/o printer, 7 y/o monitors...etc. So much for that theory.
We feed the beast because the beast keeps getting faster & stronger, as does everything we ask of it.
Just finished my new build 2 months ago simply because I encode Bluray and my times were cut from 30hrs to under 5, plus this i7 2600K system is frikken blazing!!

In fact, I just fired up my 12 y/o cell phone just for the hell of it...guess what...

---

ive seen pentium 4s and a pentium 2 that are still running reasonable but i also know people who brought a dual core system and had it die within 3years.ever seen a clothes dryer or tv from around 20years ago,they last forever.most the newer products arnt made to last.

my computer was store brought and has a 2year warrenty.custom built by the store.

people like to keep up with the jones's.people think having a brand new car or an iphone or a big screen tv or in this case a new computer will make them look rich.

---

There is a big difference from a custom built PC and a prefabbed store bought PC. With a custom build you should really have up to 3 thru 5 years warranty but for a store bought PC you'll only have a 1 year warranty.

Kids like bragging rights and they are the ones who will spend the extra money on the new latest stuff regardless of whether they need it or not. Most adults just want something that will run fine and allow them to surf the web and use their office apps and what not. They don't need excessive power or to brag about their video card, i7 cpu, or ping rates.

---

Is this implying that I'm a "kid" or only kids upgrade?
At 54, I highly doubt that I would qualify as such, and there is a very large "enthusiast" community who update on a regular basis, mostly middle aged adults too. Ever visited Guru3D or Overclockers.net? And they don't do it just for bragging rights either, almost all of them use their unused cycles at 24/7 Folding teams, therefore putting all that tech power to a good use. They do burn out lots of stuff by OC'ing a tad aggressively, some of them must be swimming in excess cash. LOL
As stated tho, my BR encoding is what prompted me to upgrade at the time, but all software & technologies constantly evolve at a steady rate, and like I said...either keep up or don't complain that your favorite piece of legacy s'ware/h'ware is no longer supported. I like to stay within 4 years or so of new tech & so does much of my needed s'ware.

Kids & gamers also upgrade to keep up with their favorite new releases too, so bragging rights is not all that motivates these users, although they do like to brag about their gear ;)

All I was posting is that I disagree with the statement that tech has a built in 2-3 year expiration date. I have numerous pieces of tech, & not just my handpicked PC parts, that have lasted much longer than double that time frame, as I'm sure many of us have. Sure, you get lemons sometime, but I find that the exception rather than the norm.
Besides, the guy I was replying too has revised his statement & I now wholeheartedly agree.

---

Well I think you are over reacting here but maybe at 54 you still are a kid? I don't know you personally Chappy but if you haven't grown up yet that is entirely possible regardless of how many years you've spent on this earth. I'm your age and I have plenty of friends your age, older, and younger that haven't grown up and still act like kids.

I would argue that your BR doesn't have to have current hardware as I can rip and transcode BD's on old PC's. But having a true need to upgrade is different than upgrading to keep up with the Jone'es. I love technology, that is good technology, but I don't upgrade unless I have a good need too as it is a waste of money otherwise. I learned many years ago that I can get by with less in some circumstances then more and by doing so have more for those things I really need.

My point had nothing to do with you or your point about malware, which I do agree with you on, maitland is who I was disputing.

I have plenty of old PC's that work just fine, some may not run the current CAD systems I like on them but they work for other stuff. Most people do not need a new PC every 3-4 years it is pretty much that simple. But you could argue that kids do need upgrades more than us old guys as they play games that require more GPU power then you can buy for a given game. But that is like chasing the green ghost because you never have enough.

Originally posted by ChappyTTV:

---

Originally posted by Mr-Movies:

---

Originally posted by xboxdvl2:

---

Originally posted by ChappyTTV:

---

Originally posted by maitland:

---

most consumer electronic crap is designed with a 3-5 year lifespan. look at phones, game systems, computers, music players, cameras, blah-di-blah. if they don't make the crap to be out-dated in a a few years, why would we keep feeding the beast?

---

1st disagree.
I have computer parts that are going on 11+ years old, still work great. Have a 6+ y/o Logitech Z5500 system still running strong, although it's not a main system anymore. 11 y/o scanner, 8 y/o printer, 7 y/o monitors...etc. So much for that theory.
We feed the beast because the beast keeps getting faster & stronger, as does everything we ask of it.
Just finished my new build 2 months ago simply because I encode Bluray and my times were cut from 30hrs to under 5, plus this i7 2600K system is frikken blazing!!

In fact, I just fired up my 12 y/o cell phone just for the hell of it...guess what...

---

ive seen pentium 4s and a pentium 2 that are still running reasonable but i also know people who brought a dual core system and had it die within 3years.ever seen a clothes dryer or tv from around 20years ago,they last forever.most the newer products arnt made to last.

my computer was store brought and has a 2year warrenty.custom built by the store.

people like to keep up with the jones's.people think having a brand new car or an iphone or a big screen tv or in this case a new computer will make them look rich.

---

There is a big difference from a custom built PC and a prefabbed store bought PC. With a custom build you should really have up to 3 thru 5 years warranty but for a store bought PC you'll only have a 1 year warranty.

Kids like bragging rights and they are the ones who will spend the extra money on the new latest stuff regardless of whether they need it or not. Most adults just want something that will run fine and allow them to surf the web and use their office apps and what not. They don't need excessive power or to brag about their video card, i7 cpu, or ping rates.

---

Is this implying that I'm a "kid" or only kids upgrade?
At 54, I highly doubt that I would qualify as such, and there is a very large "enthusiast" community who update on a regular basis, mostly middle aged adults too. Ever visited Guru3D or Overclockers.net? And they don't do it just for bragging rights either, almost all of them use their unused cycles at 24/7 Folding teams, therefore putting all that tech power to a good use. They do burn out lots of stuff by OC'ing a tad aggressively, some of them must be swimming in excess cash. LOL
As stated tho, my BR encoding is what prompted me to upgrade at the time, but all software & technologies constantly evolve at a steady rate, and like I said...either keep up or don't complain that your favorite piece of legacy s'ware/h'ware is no longer supported. I like to stay within 4 years or so of new tech & so does much of my needed s'ware.

Kids & gamers also upgrade to keep up with their favorite new releases too, so bragging rights is not all that motivates these users, although they do like to brag about their gear ;)

All I was posting is that I disagree with the statement that tech has a built in 2-3 year expiration date. I have numerous pieces of tech, & not just my handpicked PC parts, that have lasted much longer than double that time frame, as I'm sure many of us have. Sure, you get lemons sometime, but I find that the exception rather than the norm.
Besides, the guy I was replying too has revised his statement & I now wholeheartedly agree.

---

I think the point is if you are not a gamer who requires DX11, a fast CPU and GPU. There is no valid reason to upgrade. I Built my i7 920 (OCed to 3.4G), NVidia GTX295, Gigabyte GA-EX58xxxxxx. 12 gigs of DDR3 is still very powerful. It runs the games I use which are racing sims that only require DX10 for all the eye candy. So, after almost three years what I have now works good for me.
Jeff

Originally posted by Mr-Movies:

---

Well I think you are over reacting here but maybe at 54 you still are a kid? I don't know you personally Chappy but if you haven't grown up yet that is entirely possible regardless of how many years you've spent on this earth. I'm your age and I have plenty of friends your age, older, and younger that haven't grown up and still act like kids.

I would argue that your BR doesn't have to have current hardware as I can rip and transcode BD's on old PC's. But having a true need to upgrade is different than upgrading to keep up with the Jone'es. I love technology, that is good technology, but I don't upgrade unless I have a good need too as it is a waste of money otherwise. I learned many years ago that I can get by with less in some circumstances then more and by doing so have more for those things I really need.

My point had nothing to do with you or your point about malware, which I do agree with you on, maitland is who I was disputing.

I have plenty of old PC's that work just fine, some may not run the current CAD systems I like on them but they work for other stuff. Most people do not need a new PC every 3-4 years it is pretty much that simple. But you could argue that kids do need upgrades more than us old guys as they play games that require more GPU power then you can buy for a given game. But that is like chasing the green ghost because you never have enough.

---

Had to delete a load of that quote stuff, gets a bit long.
Actually I was going to put a smiley after the implying I'm a kid thing to make it look like I was just bugging you, but I forgot...old age an all. I wasn't upset at all actually, in fact you're one of the few here I don't think is an idiot lol.

I could encode ok on my old system too, but 30 hrs on long titles was getting very old...pardon the age pun again. With 8 cores OC'd @ 4.5GHz as needed, I can do the same titles in under 5hrs now and I like that leap. I have to admit tho, I do love building boxes and it didn't take much to get the bug started for this build.
FSX is also running far better, and since that's the only way I can fly these days and the only game I indulge in, I use that to also justify it.
Aww shut up, I know that's not justification really, but I'm sticking with it.
:)

I do expect to keep this my main machine for another____ years.

nothing wrong with older people playing games.i know a couple in theres 60's that both have gaming pcs and play the latest games along with word and puzzle games.both of them are retired and need to keep there brains sharp.they even brought a nintendo wii to keep fit.no point in getting old and doing nothing.

Originally posted by ChappyTTV:

---

Originally posted by Mr-Movies:

---

Well I think you are over reacting here but maybe at 54 you still are a kid? I don't know you personally Chappy but if you haven't grown up yet that is entirely possible regardless of how many years you've spent on this earth. I'm your age and I have plenty of friends your age, older, and younger that haven't grown up and still act like kids.

I would argue that your BR doesn't have to have current hardware as I can rip and transcode BD's on old PC's. But having a true need to upgrade is different than upgrading to keep up with the Jone'es. I love technology, that is good technology, but I don't upgrade unless I have a good need too as it is a waste of money otherwise. I learned many years ago that I can get by with less in some circumstances then more and by doing so have more for those things I really need.

My point had nothing to do with you or your point about malware, which I do agree with you on, maitland is who I was disputing.

I have plenty of old PC's that work just fine, some may not run the current CAD systems I like on them but they work for other stuff. Most people do not need a new PC every 3-4 years it is pretty much that simple. But you could argue that kids do need upgrades more than us old guys as they play games that require more GPU power then you can buy for a given game. But that is like chasing the green ghost because you never have enough.

---

Had to delete a load of that quote stuff, gets a bit long.
Actually I was going to put a smiley after the implying I'm a kid thing to make it look like I was just bugging you, but I forgot...old age an all. I wasn't upset at all actually, in fact you're one of the few here I don't think is an idiot lol.

I could encode ok on my old system too, but 30 hrs on long titles was getting very old...pardon the age pun again. With 8 cores OC'd @ 4.5GHz as needed, I can do the same titles in under 5hrs now and I like that leap. I have to admit tho, I do love building boxes and it didn't take much to get the bug started for this build.
FSX is also running far better, and since that's the only way I can fly these days and the only game I indulge in, I use that to also justify it.
Aww shut up, I know that's not justification really, but I'm sticking with it.
:)

I do expect to keep this my main machine for another____ years.

---

Ya, I understand what you are saying and 30 hours on a transcode is long I too upgraded for that reason. I've always enjoyed your posts and again I wasn't attacking you or I didn't mean to it wasn't my point. :)