Keep Your Old Computers an Extra Generation

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money-save-technologyMoney Saving Technology Tip 15

Keep Your Old Computers an Extra Generation

“You do not NEED ‘State of the Art info-tech’. Use one-generation old computers and software. They are much less expensive; the bugs have been worked out; most of the important stuff runs just fine on it; they are still good for 3 years+/-, by which time a lot more will have changed anyway.  ‘Keeping up with the Newest’ when it comes to technology is a big waste of money and time.  Let the Nerds be the early adopters.  You have a business to run and customers to serve — don’t spend your valuable time debugging new info-tech.  Make your policy to buy and use ‘State of the Need’.”

John Mariotti, The Enterprise Group, @Johnentgrp

I recently ditched my 8-year old laptop when the cost of repairs was almost as much as a new notebook. My BlackBerry 8300 is the original Curve. The longevity of both are directly related to the economy…

What are your recommendations? Are you hanging on to tech gadgets longer? Is it your habit to purchase first-generation technology?

Courtesy of Small Business Trends

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Comments

  • Depends. I am more likely to be an early adopter on social media and online services more than I am hardware. And when I don't wait, it usually bites me in the rear!

    This desktop is almost 4 years old. My mac less than a year, but which one am I slaving away on this morning?

    I still have and use Paint Shop Pro Version 7 (that is from like 2000)-but we did just upgrade to Paint Shop Photo 2X.

    I have a brand new blackberry because I went through 2 curves in 18 months, both white screens of death (from odd things like removing the battery or doing a service update).

    All of that is personal equipment.
    At work my system is Very close to 8 years old (and I am twitching just thinking about it) but, it still needs to do what I need done.
  • My habits are similar, Molly. I tend to hang onto my computers until I can't
    stand them anymore, or more likely, they are stolen or die. My 8 year old
    laptop was replaced a few months ago when the cost of a repair came very
    close to the cost of a notebook.

    The next "equipment" purchase will be a new BlackBerry to replace the
    original 8300 Curve. Memory is too limited.

    Open source and web based programs... I'm all over them in a heartbeat!

    But, I gotta tell you... I replaced my Tervis tumbler faster than any tech
    tool I've ever used!
  • Well yeah, but that is also a minor expense compared to a phone or computer. I just got the new Curve, and it is purple and I do love it, smaller and lighter!
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