Life span of a Desktop PC

[destriero]

Although I have much more recent PCs running automation, I still use 1986 Compaq 286, upgraded HD and it still runs longer term Commodities system. On PCs I keep them two years but laptops eleven months, batteries usually shot by then.

Why would you run some legacy system from the 80s? This is nuts. Nobody in their right-mind would run a system on a 286 running DOS. It would be ported if it's not garbage. There is no company providing data on DOS.

I was running some long since unsupported stuff on a Solaris on an ancient Sparc20 (circa 1999) but gave up on that a couple of years ago. lol 286.

 

[Handle123]

Why would you run some legacy system from the 80s? This is nuts. Nobody in their right-mind would run a system on a 286 running DOS. It would be ported if it's not garbage. There is no company providing data on DOS.

I was running some long since unsupported stuff on a Solaris on an ancient Sparc20 (circa 1999) but gave up on that a couple of years ago. lol 286.

I had a tech who said he could make it happen and he did, it had 40mg HD and few hours later it had 500 gig, I use to do everything with that 286, got all my feed on it when I got it with satellite feed. It is more of the I can do it than anything else. It just like I ride around on Sundays in my 1910 Ford Model T, it doesn't have to always be sane, it just has to work and be fun. It like sometimes I haul my 2x4 PC to Starbucks, some people wear purple hair, I have my own oddities.

 

[viktor_k67]

What's the life span these days of a desktop PC these days? 5 to 7 years?

How often does everyone replace their PCs?

As long as you do not update the Windows to the higher version. My laptop (should be less liable than desctop) is 15-year old, has Windows XP and it is stil perfectly perform to my needs. yes, I cannot use Skype on it after update, yet Firefox works fine and I use it for charting.

I reality, you do not need a desctop unless you are playing newest games and you need high power video-card. In the rest of the cases nowadays laptops fit all te needs.

 

[Simples]

Why would you run some legacy system from the 80s? This is nuts. Nobody in their right-mind would run a system on a 286 running DOS. It would be ported if it's not garbage. There is no company providing data on DOS.

I was running some long since unsupported stuff on a Solaris on an ancient Sparc20 (circa 1999) but gave up on that a couple of years ago. lol 286.

You heard the adage, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it?"

It's the way things work when they are really working.. You don't really want to break that stuff, from own experience.

 

[stevegee58]

It depends on what you mean by a "new PC". I've had the same case for 10 years and along the way I've replaced the power supply and motherboard. At what point did I have a new PC?
It's way cheaper doing your own upgrades and repairs than buying new.

 

[OptionGuru]

It's way cheaper doing your own upgrades and repairs than buying new.

I don't think so ......... You are better off buying a mid-ranged ($500.00) priced desktop from Best Buy than trying to upgrade an older desktop.


The new desktop will come with:

• Latest OS
• More RAM
• New keyboard
• USB 3
• New case
• Larger capacity HD
• Newer processor

And everything will be compatible and shiny new.

 

[Simples]

I don't think so ......... You are better off buying a mid-ranged ($500.00) priced desktop from Best Buy than trying to upgrade an older desktop.


The new desktop will come with:

• Latest OS
• More RAM
• New keyboard
• USB 3
• New case
• Larger capacity HD
• Newer processor

And everything will be compatible and shiny new.

5 years ago, this could be true. Today, any desktop will likely meet most of your requirements. Especially if your latest purchase was not the "cheapest" option, discounting environmental costs.

 

[marcoPolo21]

.
i'm trying to go totally Silent, no fans, from now on
[will have to run SSDs only, i guess]

just bought a Chrome book, as a 2nd backup computer,
but will only run the TWS browser based, which i haven't tried yet

still have a desktop as the main

marc

 

[stevegee58]

And everything will be compatible and shiny new.

Shiny and new? Oh, how vulgar.

 

[Scataphagos]

I don't think so ......... You are better off buying a mid-ranged ($500.00) priced desktop from Best Buy than trying to upgrade an older desktop.

I've had "inexpensive" computers and don't plan to have another for trading. I'd much rather put the same money into a 2-3yr old workstation. Better quality components, greater longevity. (For my last system upgrade, 3 1/2 years ago, I bought 4, used Dell Precision T3500s for ~$350 each. They all came with "overkill for trading" video cards which I sold on eBay for $125 each). All still running "smooth as a gravy sandwich".

El Cheapo computers have their place, however.... like for your grandparents to do email. (Can you get "mid-range" for only $500 at BB??)