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Weblog:   Mac vs. PC, a small cost comparison experiment
Subject:   Inconsistent Purchasing Habits
Date:   2004-05-17 13:30:08
From:   Timberwolf
It's a little amazing to me that, in general, the majority of people are willing to spend the money to buy a more expensive car (like say, a Honda Accord as opposed to a Ford taurus), more expensive audio/visual equipment (Bose vs. el cheapo brand) or designer clothes or even some more expensive household appliances. Yet, when it comes to computers, they always seem to choose the cheapest computer they can possibly find.


If it really is just about cost/price, then why not apply the same logic you use to buy computers to all other purchases? Don't buy that Honda Accord, buy a Yugo or much cheaper car. Forget about the Bose Amplifier and Speaker system, get the lower cost Radio Shack stereo instead. Designer clothes? Do you really need to have Ralph Polo or DKNY clothing? You can shop for much less expensive clothes in the bargain shops and flea markets.


My point is, if you're going to be a discriminating buyer when it comes to your car, tv/stereo, appliances, furniture and clothes, then you should also be just as discrimintating when it comes to buying a computer.
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  • Inconsistent Purchasing Habits
    2004-05-19 07:44:20  jwenting [Reply | View]

    it's all about priorities.

    Personally I don't buy a more expensive car once I find one that meets my requirements in performance and safety.
    As a result I drive a small Ford which is cheap to maintain and drive as compared to the larger models which offer more but also cost more.

    Same with AV equipment. I set minimum specs and buy something as close to that as I can get.

    Both AV and car with me at least last a long time.
    I still use the same old stereo I purchased back in 1988 (though it's not relegated since about 1998 to being an amplifier for my computer).
    My car I hope to use for as long.
    My previous TV lasted for over a decade as well.

    OTOH many people expect (and the market makes them) to replace their computer every other year if not more often.
    Computers are becoming commodity items, pretty much like GSM phones.
    They're seen as throwaway things that shouldn't cost anything because their economic life is so much shorter than their techical life.

    For computers I AM the discriminating buyer who gets all A brand components and selects those to give the best possible performance and expansion options within my budget.
    But then I expect my computers to last longer than 2 years as well, upgrading bits and pieces regularly to keep them up to date so that now I've last month finally retired the last 4GB harddisk that I got back in 1997.
    • Inconsistent Purchasing Habits
      2004-05-31 08:17:38  microcrap_sucks [Reply | View]

      Oh, sorry dude, but I wouldn't be bragging about what you own, sounds as if you are in a loser category. Well if you do decide to buy a new computer, consider joining the rebel alliance and moving over to the good side of the force. In other words screw microsoft, viva la Apple.
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