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I generally like to keep stuff until it really doesn't serve its purpose anymore/ until there are really strong reasons for me to upgrade/ until it dies. I just purchased a maxed out MBA 13" and plan to keep it for five years. I got an iPad a couple of months ago and plan to keep it for three.
 
I generally like to keep stuff until it really doesn't serve its purpose anymore/ until there are really strong reasons for me to upgrade/ until it dies. I just purchased a maxed out MBA 13" and plan to keep it for five years. I got an iPad a couple of months ago and plan to keep it for three.

Exactly. I'm still using my 2006 (or 2007, don't remember) white Core 2 Duo MacBook and probably will until I go off to college in a couple years. As for my iPhone, I'll upgrade my 4S once my contract's over though.

And all I have to say is damn, people on this forum must have good jobs. Upgrading Macs every two years sounds extremely expensive.
 
I've been prudent with my money and diligent watching the forums so I only buy something when new features and need intersect.


In 2007 new imac (aluminum design)
In 2008 a used 2004 powerbook g4 on craigslist since I needed to go overseas

and nothing until this year when I bought the updated MBA since I was going overseas again. I was sorely tempted when the 2010s came out but I didn't want to buy old technology with the core 2 duos.


Now that I'm in Australia, I was able to get a couple of unlocked 3gs for cheap and now I'm into the iphone world. I've started buying/repairing/reselling them so I should have enough profit to buy the new unlocked iphone 5 whenever it comes out!


I am aiming on getting the ipad3 when it comes out, though maybe I will wait until there are refurbs as its not really a need.
 
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My guess is that selling their mac computers help recoup some of their Initial investment. So the final cost may not be any more than just building your own computer and using it until it spoils.
 
i plan to upgrade every year (sell old and buy new). it works out to a few dollars a month in "rent", so it's no big deal. i need the fastest thing i can get with the clearest display. if the ipad 3 fails (no reason to think it will) i will go android. maybe the asus prime.

This is exactly my plan as well. Once you buy the first one, every year you can upgrade for a small fee. Well worth it.
 
After buying my first original iPad at launch, I just bought another iPad 1 this week.
Contrary to what Some people here seem to believe, they still work great.
 
After buying my first original iPad at launch, I just bought another iPad 1 this week.
Contrary to what Some people here seem to believe, they still work great.
After owning the retina display iPod touch 4g, the screen on my iPad 1 sucks.

Are you okay with not having the latest and greatest iPad? I may upgrade to the iPad 3 or 4. But there's always going to be something newer and better around the corner ;|
 
For those of you who sell and upgrade every year, how much do you typically lose? Hopefully I can sell mine for around 400 as we get closer to the iPad 3 and then I'll buy it on Amazon so I don't have to pay tax :eek:. Realistic expectations or am I way off?
 
But don't they keep hardware support for up to 2 years.


So the iPad 1 should become obsolete next March.
 
For those of you who sell and upgrade every year, how much do you typically lose? Hopefully I can sell mine for around 400 as we get closer to the iPad 3 and then I'll buy it on Amazon so I don't have to pay tax :eek:. Realistic expectations or am I way off?

it depends the timing. if you sell it after the ipad 3 announcement, you'll be one of probably several million. a day before the announcement, you'll be one of several hundred thousand, so you can probably get more.

it depends on the condition. mine has been handled very carefully and looks brand new, with original box, and all of its paperwork. mine was also bought about three months ago, so it will still be under applecare.

i think 350 to 400 would be possible. if you bought it release day, then that will be roughly 10 or 15 dollars a month of "rent." Seems fair to me :)
 
it depends the timing. if you sell it after the ipad 3 announcement, you'll be one of probably several million. a day before the announcement, you'll be one of several hundred thousand, so you can probably get more.

it depends on the condition. mine has been handled very carefully and looks brand new, with original box, and all of its paperwork. mine was also bought about three months ago, so it will still be under applecare.

i think 350 to 400 would be possible. if you bought it release day, then that will be roughly 10 or 15 dollars a month of "rent." Seems fair to me :)

Yeah mine is flawless. Depending on the rumors I'll sell it a few weeks before the 3 comes out.
 
iPhone: I'm not on the 'S' cycle so I get every other iPhone.


iPad: Well I bought my iPad used and it was the first one when the 2nd one was out. Still unknown whether or not I will buy anymore iPads.


Macbook: Same Macbook since late 09..
 
got my iPad 1 32GB for free during Christmas last year. I don't own a laptop so I might get the iPad 2 or a MBA as Im going to defiantly need one when I got to college. Probably sell my iPad 1 or something...
 
I'm really looking forward too getting an iPad 3 next year, as I'm still with my launch day iPad 1 at the moment. I'm glad I didn't get an iPad 2 as the 2012 model wouldn't be such a jump for me.

Similarly, my iPhone 4S was a big improvement on my old 3GS, and I'm glad I didn't get a 4.

For me, a two yearly upgrade means that I get a really noticeable upgrade, but am never having to cope with too outdated equipment.

Therefore, it's iPad in 2012, iPhone in 2013, iPad again in 2014 and so on for me.

As for my Macs (iMac and Air), I will upgrade whenever the specs will give me a good reason to. I imagine I'll keep my 2011 Air for 2-3 more years, and will upgrade my iMac when prices with SSD come down a bit more.
 
I usually do upgrade every time, but held off this time. Ever since ios5 came out and turned what was a respectable performing iPad 1 into a sluggish pig with programs frequently crashing has really made me look long and hard at upgrading to a 2 even with the 3 "right around the corner". But somehow I have resisted the urge.
 
I'd like to do what Keith mentioned above, alternating between iPhone and iPad upgrades but at present I hAvent managed to avoid the lue of the new hardware.

We do find having two iPads around the house to be very useful, even if one isn't used a lot. For instance it means if one is in the kitchen while I am cooking (for recipes or watching something) then my wife can do something on the other.

With the 3 coming, if I get it, then I'd be inclined to sell the 1 to part fund buying the 3 though I'm not overly trusting of eBay and I'm not sure were else I'd try and sell it hee in Germany.

One reason for me to get a 3 is to go back up in GB. Our iPad 1 was 64GB and at the time I struggled to even half fill the thing so when i got the ipad 2 we only got a 32GB model. However with the advent of GB games, photo streaming, comics, magazines and what not (no videos or music) I am constantly bashing against the 32GB limit and I find that frustrating.

I'm not sure what they could add to the 3 to otherwise make it appealing beyond "Retina" class screens and while I understand why they don't I wish they release a new model every 2 years. I'm dont really get on with the smart cover, we tend to use the iPad 2 in the iPad Apple case for more sense of protection, particularly working in the kitchen.
 
I upgrade every year. iPhone and iPad. I dont upgrade computers for 3-4 years usually. Ive been saving for a top of the line mac pro or imac for awhile now so once I decide which im getting im sure ill keep it for quite a while. but selling the old iphones and ipads for new ones is a no brainer. I Paid $50 for my 64gb 4s this year because I sold my old 32gb 4 for $350. why wouldnt I do that?
 
iPhone - well just got a 4S after using a 3GS for almost 2 years so I guess my phones on that kind of cycle now. That said if the 5 is a massive jump I'll buy one direct from Apple rather than subsided through my carrier.

Mac (mba) - mines a 2010 edition 11 inch - may upgrade with a 2012 edition - will see!

iPad - only just got one for Christmas - so can't even think about upgrading yet! Maybe next Xmas or the 2013 edition? Assuming they stay on annual upgrades !

Pc - the one I have is 5 years old and I will most likely swap this for a an iMac in mid 2012 at the next revision - thus ridding the house of windows! Ha..
 
Exactly. I'm still using my 2006 (or 2007, don't remember) white Core 2 Duo MacBook and probably will until I go off to college in a couple years. As for my iPhone, I'll upgrade my 4S once my contract's over though.

And all I have to say is damn, people on this forum must have good jobs. Upgrading Macs every two years sounds extremely expensive.

Depends on which Mac.

Some people say you should buy the most expensive that you can afford so that it is reasonably up-to-date for longer. I think that we are still in a time where computers grow quickly in capabilities, so you are better off with a cheaper computer and changing more often. Replacing the cheapest MBP or MBA once every two years isn't _that_ expensive.

Actually, if you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, you can afford the cheapest MBA every six months if you stop smoking (US prices).
 
iPhone: Currently got an iPhone 4, looking to upgrade to the 4S successor.
iPad: Holding out for the Retina Display iPad.
Mac: Currently got a 13" Macbook Pro early 2011, looking to upgrade to the nearest thing in 2014
 
What are your ideal upgrade cycles?

I switched to apple because i wanted things that would keep working for as long as possible. my ideal upgrade cycle is as long as possible. applecare+ and a battery replacement on day 729.

consumer electronics are full of rare and costly metals and other materials that pose hazards to the people in every stage of the supply chain. I lucked out by being born into a region where I don't have to deal with this reality (and the truth is that some tech likely is a net positive) but that I would still prefer to resist the urge to upgrade every gadget as quickly as possible.

On the other hand sometimes i get totally obsessed and just want my gadget to break as quickly as possible, but i don't view that as a conscious choice... that is a desire that apple has been very effective at planting inside me.
 
It looks like you basically need the latest iPad if you want to do the best things the device is capable of, so yes.

I can't count how many times I've seen "THIS APP CRASHES CONSTANTLY" reviews in the App Store for graphically demanding apps, and wondered why when I've had no problems... Then the reviewer finishes by writing, "I'm using an iPad 1."
 
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