How often do you replace your main computer, notebook or otherwise?

And when do you plan on replacing it?

Well for me, I'm kind of a computer nut. While I do like my 3 month old machine,
I didn't think to much about the graphics hardware (it's decent though). I'm thinking about building a desktop next year for gaming, graphics apps, etc. Stuff that this notebook wouldn't handle all too greatly. However, if I happen across a good high performance notebook next year that has everything I want, as well as having some GPU upgradeability (MXM modularity), then I might do that, as long as it's not too terribly expensive (I'm a college kid ).

I'm only 19, got my first computer (that actually was mine), a Toshiba Satellite Convertable Notebook, before I tured 18. That notebook really lacked performance all around (1.6 GHz Centrino = crap) got a second laptop (Gateway MX7515) last January which was so much faster and more powerful plus I could play games on it. Well then 3 months ago I saw this little gem of an HP dv6045nr that had many things the Gateway didn't: a dual-core CPU as opposed to a single (but that Athlon 64 4000 Mobile in the Gateway was so good), DDR2 level RAM, and 2 RAM slots as opposed to just one, and a bigger harddrive, and not to mention 256 MB of video memory

So I sold the Gateway to a friend of mine and got the HP.

Well I kind of feel dumb for getting this HP (but I do like it alot), and it's a vast improvement over the Gateway, but I think I shoulda waited just a bit. However, I plan on having this machine for a good while, until it becomes absolutely eclipsed.

I guess I'll try to go for a notebook replacement cycle of a new machine every 12-18 months (taking into consideration upgradeability). God I love notebooks ^__^

So what's your notebook usage cycle?

 

They last until they can't do what I want them to do.

 

Normally 2 years for desktop but i m going notebooks, notebooks last longer (well i hav a powerful and another portable one, so i change them by a 4 years cycle.) For the desktop, i do nasty stuff like pelt/water cooling and stuff until i blown them.

 

when they stop working or they get eclipsed by somthing you get in the clearance section(my system)

 

Until I need more power than I have...

 

I never replace any. I just add to the collection. And an Alienware laptop may just be the next one. I like pretty!

 

Way too often.

 

I have both a laptop and a desktop, I try to do significant upgrades/overhaul on a rotating 3-4 year basis. I have them staggered. My laptop is from 2003 (in the process of replacing), desktop was built 2004 and has had many upgrsdes in the past two years, it's still going strong even if it's not quite the high end kick ass machine I had two years ago.

 

Desktop - Every decade.
Laptop - When it feels like old technology. Estimate three to five years.