POLL: How often do you buy a new Mac or computer?

[yoppie]

My 07/2006 MacBook purchase was my first mac but when I was in the Windows world, I would buy a new PC around the three year mark. If the computer was still in working condition I would pass it on to my parents.

I hope to purchase a second mac around the 2.5 year mark but I'm not sure about passing on the MacBook.

 

[ditzy]

This is my first mac so I'm not sure when I will feel the need to replace this. However with my pc's I used to replace them every two to three years. Though my last one did not last as long as I decided I wanted a mac so my last pc only had a year and a half of service. I think if I hadn't moved to mac though it would have lasted at least another year maybe longer.

 

[tkidBOSTON]

I buy a new machine every two years but I alternate between desktops and laptops and therefore my computers only get replaced about once every four years.

 

[ckurowic]

That seems pretty random and the numbers a bit arbitrary. My iBook G4 is 5 years old and its pretty miserable. I can't imagine using it 7 years :-\.

I couldn't vote, as I've gone from buying a computer, on avg, every two months, to planning to keep one for more than five years.

Last year, I bought six laptops. At the end of the year, I was tired of switching, and resolved to stick to one computer.
So I bought a Macbook in December, and plan to keep it for seven years (12/2014). Six months in, so far, so good.

 

[w481]

my macs

mac SE (i know this really dates me)
mac ll
quadra 700 (loved this one, did a lot of work on it)
centris or cenrtra 610 (something like that)
powerbook 180
powerbook (wall street series, forgot number)
ibook (gave it to my ex girlfriend)
titanium powerbook (stolen)
powerbook G4 (gave it to a friend)
intel macbook pro*

* status of this macbook pro: superdrive not working so well, will not burn CDs, watching DVDs is hit or miss. system not updated to leopard.

waiting for new form macbook pro

 

[Le Big Mac]

19 years--3 macs (well 4, sort of)

1989: IIcx
1994: Duo 210 (supplement-laptop)
1996: Performa 7500
2003: iMac G4 17"
2008: ? [planning purchase now]

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

My first computer was a Compaq in 1999. I replaced that with a G4 iMac when they came out in 2002. That was replaced with a Power Mac G5 in 2005. I guess, based on the only intervals I have, I would replace that this year, but I don't plan on replacing it for at least another year or two.

I also have a MacBook, but the upgrade path is kind of...well...there is no upgrade path. It was the result of selling a couple computers that I received from work for little or no cost along with my old iMac. So, unless we upgrade at work and I inherit a few computers, I won't be upgrading that until I can no longer stand it.

 

[heatmiser]

That seems pretty random and the numbers a bit arbitrary. My iBook G4 is 5 years old and its pretty miserable. I can't imagine using it 7 years :-\.

I'd like to see how long I can stick with one computer. I've gone through more machines in a year than most people do in a decade; it's time to try things the other way for a while.

Before I bought the Macbook, I sold/gave away everything but a 4-yr old iBook G3, which became my only computer for a few weeks in college. It still did 90% of the things I needed.

I can't imagine a Macbook will be incapable of playing mp3s, surfing the internet, and typing documents five years from now; you can do all of those things on 5-year old computers today.

As long as you aren't tied to games (which should really be done on consoles anyway) or high end designing software (which deserves desktops), you can easily get 5 years out of a laptop.

My first was a 540c that I used briefly in the early 2000s. By then, that computer was 7-8 years old, but it was still fine enough for internet (through a modem) and surfing text+picture sites.

Besides that, dual processors in laptops these days are overkill for the average things people do on these machines. I might not keep the MB for 7 years (if it breaks, I'll certainly get rid of it), but I do expect to get, barring damage, several years from it. It's really just a question of discipline, and learning to be content without chasing after the newest things. At six months, I've already had it longer than I've had the last six or so computers I've owned.

 

[Alloye]

Usually around 12-18 months for me.

 

[DaveF]

Industry (and IRS) standards have pretty much settled on a three-year cycle, for everything from laptops to servers (which used to be seven, IIRC). It has nothing to do with Moore's Law, but more to do with economics & productivity. An individual machine can be depreciated over a three-year schedule now, so why hang on to something that's no longer giving a tax break? As well, many apps increase in minimum spec, so that after three years you can expect to find many "required" apps not being able to be run on your old box.

What industry is that? My work experience is 5+ year replacement on computers.

For personal use, this poll assumes too much. My last three computers were separated by 7+ years. I expect to have my current MBP for 3 years minimum.

I'd like to see how long I can stick with one computer. I've gone through more machines in a year than most people do in a decade; it's time to try things the other way for a while.

Buying computers monthly? How did you ever get anything accomplished on them? It takes me a month just to get all the preferences just so, transfer data to all the new and upgraded applications, and get settled in. I figure six months is when I'm really using the machine fully.

Did you replace computers as you bought new ones? If not, where did you keep 12+ systems?

 

[bc008]

averaging to about once a year.. 14-15 months, then 10 months, now my MBP
(this thing is here to stay (3+ years) I even got the biggest hard drive so i never have to open it up except for RAM upgrades )

 

[Silencio]

On average, every four years for me. IIci in 1992, PowerMac 8500/120 in 1996, PowerMac G4 in 2000, PowerMac G5 in 2004, and a Mac Pro just a few weeks ago.

Also bought an iBook G3 in 2001, followed by a 12" PowerBook in 2005. I can already see myself buying a next-generation MacBook Air in 2009!

 

[heatmiser]

Buying computers monthly? How did you ever get anything accomplished on them? It takes me a month just to get all the preferences just so, transfer data to all the new and upgraded applications, and get settled in. I figure six months is when I'm really using the machine fully.

Did you replace computers as you bought new ones? If not, where did you keep 12+ systems?

Ah, it only takes me a weekend to get settled in on a computer. It might be because I used to reinstall the OS frequently when messing around with XP, Vista, and OSx86. I usually kept a toolkit folder with my most essential software, which I'd use as needed to reinstall programs.

As for replacement, always. I gave two to my sister (who has since sold one to a friend, while the other stopped working), gave one to my dad (still working great), threw one away, sold one (the iBook), and am typing from the final one (Macbook). Managing more than one computer at a time was way too much of a hassle, in terms of syncing the two.

At any rate, I'm thankfully through with all of that. Hopefully this Macbook works for a long time, so i won't be able to justify any temptation to replace it.

 

[MarvinMartian]

I'm on my first Mac, a MacBook, as well.. I bought it just about a year ago. I figured that I'd replace it when the AppleCare ran out..

 

[bobr1952]

I am a converted PC user so this is my first Mac--which I bought in January. I still have my old PC, a 2002 Dell that I still use for a few things. Still runs pretty well but I probably won't wait so long to update my current iMac.

 

[letoast]

On average over the past 9 years, I'd say nearly every 18 months or so. Once the Nehalem-based Mac Pro comes out, I'll get the base model (wait for a refurb) then hang on to that for years and years, and keep my eeePC as my go-everywhere machine. heh

 

[CarlosG]

I have a laptop and desktop at any one time. Each lasts about three years, however I cycle the updates so I get a new machine every 18 months or so.

I have recently broken that routine by getting a MacMini for my TV too.