How often do you upgrade your iMac and how do you afford to upgrade so often?

[wxman2003]

Computers I replace every 5 years. Of course this is my first iMac and if it works as well as my macbook, it may be longer.

 

[Angelo95210]

I replace them when I can't use them anymore. I am still using my 2006 MBP and barely my 2008 iMac. It's weird but I prefer old computers like I prefer used cars.

 

[Jazwire]

Your wife doesn't rate anything new?

She not the tech geek , besides my hand me downs are better than what most people buy new. Since I usually always buy the top of the line models/features.

Like the 2010 Imac is a 2.8 I7 with an 256G SSD , don't feel that bad for her.

 

[daneoni]

I used to do every year but recently it's down to every 18months-2yrs or simply put; every two revisions. The iPhone being the exception. Thus far i've upgraded that every year...mostly because iPhones have a very good resale value so i rarely end up spending much if at all to get the new revisions.

As for how; Save + Discounts + Sell the old one and use the funds towards the new one. Also helps that i don't spend much on any other stuff & i'm single with zero offspring.

 

[old-wiz]

I upgrade perhaps every 2 years, but some things I keep using. I still have a 24" Intel iMac which I use as a desktop. I just replaced a 2009 13" MBP with a 2011 13" MBP just to get a faster and newer laptop. The old laptop will get passed down to my wife.

I either pay cash in the store or charge it to CC and pay the entire amount when the bill arrives. I don't believe in paying finance charges to CC people. The store people don't bat an eye when you pull out $ 1700 in $100 bills.

 

[Ca$hflow]

2. I pay for it in whole or use a zero interest CC offer. I do not borrow money to buy a computer. If your doing that then your just stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Simple as that, if you cannot save up for something as simple as a computer you are either buying too much computer or one you truly cannot afford.

If you put it on your zero interest credit card, then it's borrowing.

However the rest of your post it so true. That is why america has fallen into the trouble it is in. America is addicted to debt.

America used to use debt for appreciating assets. Now is using debt for depreciating assets.

 

[jdavtz]

If you put it on your zero interest credit card, then it's borrowing.(

But it's SMART borrowing If I put £2000 into a saving account at 3% interest, spend the £2000 on a 0% interest credit card, then pay it off when the (e.g.) 15-month interest-free period has expired. And obviously keep the £75-ish interest I've earned. This doesn't get people or countries into financial problems.

Other people will argue that they KNOW they can save £200/month for 12 months so it's very sensible borrowing for them to buy what they want/"need" now, save the money, pay no interest, then pay off the debt (and keep the interest earned on their savings) when the interest-free period on the card expires.

 

[wxman2003]

Interest free is just another scam. The stores know you will come back for future purchases and pay $20 for a $1 item.

 

[Georgio]

I upgrade roughly every three years as that seems to be the sweet spot for your current gear still having some value and new gear actually having something worthwhile to upgrade for.
My most recent upgrade was selling a 2008 duo-core 24" 3.06GHz for just short of £1000 and buying a 2011 3.4GHz i7 27" for £1880.