How Often do You People Upgrade/Buy New Laptop?

I noticed from looking on here that every month some new piece of technology comes around and everybody seems to claim that they just bought it and that yesterday's technology is absolutely atrocious... While I understand the need to keep up with technology, do people on this forum buy a new laptop every couples of months? I just bought my laptop a few months ago, an XPS1530 and it works great... will most likely keep it for about 3-4 years.

It's just a very general question from my observations while viewing this board. Thanks.

 

It all depends. Some people every 4-6 months might sell and buy but i dont think most people do.

 

I used to sell my laptop or desktop every 6 months on ebay, get close to what I paid for it and buy a new one. Just got to be too much work. Now I get a new system every 3 years or so. Could wait even longer if I was just doing office type tasks, but like to play a computer game once in a while. I still use my original Dell XPS in my research lab for Word and Excel although the Pentium M is a bit too slow to do much else.

 

My laptops are disposable. I would say about 1 week.

JK, i was really a desktop guy. My last laptop i had for 3 years but hardly used. I switched to primary laptop now (still use desktop for storage), but im gonna get a new 2nd one (ultraportable dell) this summer and a new big laptop next summer...so 2 years.

 

I find 12-18 months is the sweet spot for resale value.

System 1 summer '04: Mobile P4 2.8 GHz, GeForce Go FX5200, SXGA display

Bought: $1200, sold $600

System 2 summer '05: Pentium M 1.86 Ghz, Radeon X300, XGA, etc

Bought: $900, sold $500

Current system spring '08: Specs in sig, cost me $880

So yeah, I'd say my upgrades have been decent.

 

I think it really depends how someone views their laptop (or PC). Some people are really into the technology, and keeping a notebook for more that two years would be unheard of. For others, they're just tools and they may not replace them until they actually die. I do some tech support for a real estate firm, and you'd not believe some of the laptops these agents own. I'll comment that they can get a new business notebook for a few hundred dollars, and they'll say, "but the one I have is only 5 years old!"

Me...two years seems about right for a notebook.

 

It has a big deal to due with technological releases aswell. With 45nm processors, PCI Xpress 2.0, GDDR3 and LED screens the time is right for an upgrade I believe.

 

I go through them far too often. I've gone through six in the past year, 3 in 2008 alone. I am down to just a desktop now and I promised myself the next laptop will last for a while since I plan on making it my main machine.

 

i get a new laptop each year

 

My 1530 is my first lappy ever! Before the 1530, I had a Compaq Presario Desktop ~ and that lasted me 4 years.

So, I am hoping to get at least 2-3 years out of my 1530

Who knows...depends on my mood...at that given time... lol

 

There are two things to consider here:

1) First of all, people here are not normal users. You will get a skewed view of technology because a lot of people here are the "early adopters." As soon as something comes out (e.g., the new chipsets), crazed people here are talking about the tests they ran on it. Not only that, but some people just test these things out, rather than purchase them for actual ownership.

2) Regardless of what OTHER people do, the smart thing to do is update when you need it. Just as most people miss that the most important question when buying a computer is "what are going to use it for?", people miss that question, too. If your computer works and does what you need, then you do not need a new laptop unless you're just making a luxury purchase. Period.

 

Most notebooks will easily last 3-4 years without problems.
But, I'm not the normal, rational user...
I buy a new one once a year or so for two reasons.
1. I like the latest stuff.
2. I use mine 8-12 hours a day so it gets heavy use.

 

I'll probably keep this for about 5 years or so. Even then, It'll still be around as a secondary machine.

 

My XPS M1530 and M1330 will still be in use eight years from now.

 

i would say every 2 years or so.

 

I've been averaging once every year. I owned my m1330 for about 10 months before recently selling it and buying a MacBook.

 

I picked up my first laptop (an XPS M1710) about 2 years ago. My latest M1730 arrived only about a month ago.

 

Once a year for me.

My last purchase was a MacBook Pro 15". At the time, the T7600 C2D 2.33GHz / 4MB L2 was blazing fast, and unheard of in a laptop, so it's still quick for CPU intensive tasks today. It was also *cough*damn expensive at the time (purchased January 2007).

The reason I purchased a M1530 this month was for the GPU, which, for modern gaming is a lot better than the Radeon X1600 in the MacBook Pro. The T9500 CPU and 4GB RAM is a welcome addition that should stand the test of time for a few years!

I couldn't ever bring myself to sell the Mac just yet, as it's still a damn fine machine in the work environment!

 

sinner!! how could you!! god forgive you

 

I try to hold out as long as possible. My next laptop purchase will be a Calpella or Westmere 13" in summer of 2009 for college. This year I want the new Dell mini notebook that was just leaked hours ago!

 

Once a year for me unless there's an incredible deal I can't pass up, like the $500 off on a Vostro. I have a small business so if the business has the money i'd rather spend it than letting the Gov't take it. Besides it's a nice tax write for me.

 

my current laptop a asus z71v was purchased over 3 years ago, and im currently waiting for a 1530 that is in the never ending build stage. My reasoning for replacement was quite simple my laptop has become outdated and a potential fire hazard. But has served me well through many buisness trips out of town and 5-6 hrs of use every day. This new dell better be as tough as this asus was, but in case it isnt i got the 3 yr accidental damage and warranty coverage.