Computer Replacement

[geekgirldany]

How often do you all replace your computer?

Reason I ask is that it looks like I will be getting another one soon. I built the computer I have now myself. AMD Phenom Quad Core, 8 gig memory, good graphics card and 1TB hard drive. Took about $600 to build in 2008 with upgrades later on in hard drives.

It seems like it is something all the time this year with the computer. Went out there today and my graphics pad had quit working. I had to uninstall and reinstall it. Windows Vista freezes alot lately. Computer restarts for no reason. Two SATA connectors have gone bad.

My computer before this one was a Dell got it in 2005 and it lasted about 3 years. Had to replace the power supply on it after it started burning in year 3. That is when I decided to build my own.

I don't want to buy another computer but I don't want to be left in a bind this tax season if it goes out. Geez I hate computers sometimes. Reminds me my I stopped working on them for customers.

Dany

[erchess]

personally

I try to make a laptop last five years. My last one died in April of its fourth tax season. When I worked for a big box firm they bought not the newest technology but a generation earlier and they still insisted on not replacing a computer for five years. Offices were expected to use as servers their best machines that were more than five years old.

[Dusty2004]

When needed

We have 2 computers. One is mine for taxes the other is my wifes for everything else. I replace my tax computer about every 5 years. But I do turn it off when not in use.

Dusty

[dkss]

I hate to replace computers

My home computer is a dell that is going on 9 yrs old - windows XP, 1 gb ram, 80 gb hard drive. My son is not allowed to install any new games without taking one off first!
Oldest office machne is a sony vaio about 7-8 yrs old (and it was a refurb), it has been giving me the little annoying troubles. I hope it makes it through the tax season.
I also have 3 other dells at the office (one is 5 yrs old and the other two are 4 yrs old). I have no issues with them.
I guess it would also be important to mention that I have a seasonal tax office and I do not do much in the off season. In fact, three of the 4 machines stay off for most of the off season.

[Chief]

Replacement of Computers

I replace mine every 3 years. No need to be caught in a bind during tax season. I just purchased a HP dimension for a little over $500.

[Nashville]

Don't Get Caught

in February having to spend 4-5 days fooling with a new computer.

The days of just "plugging in" a new computer are gone. With each new operating system comes another round of incompatabilities, much of it intentional.

I'm not a computer guru, but speaking from the perspective of a user, I believe the pendulum needs to swing away from the bigger, more complex systems not only software but hardware too. Select something reliable and tenable. Usher in new capabilities when they are really needed and not just when the giant computer/software companies want to cram it down your throat.

It was gratifying to me to score one for the consumer with the Vista fiasco. Microsoft said "You folks are going to buy Vista." Public said no to complicating our lives, we'll just stick with XP. Microsoft then says "You folks are going to buy Vista because we're going to discontinue XP." Public said no, we just won't buy any new computers period.

The consumer finally won that one. We don't win many.

[oceanlovin'ea]

2 years old

My computer is 2 years old. It is a Toshiba laptop that I have set up to act as my hard drive. I do have it open and another monitor so that I have 2 monitors. (Can see the laptop monitor very well).
When I got this one, it had Vista. I had to upgrade my MS Office and my QB because they wouldn't work with Vista. I also had to by a new printer because my old printer didn't have USB connection.
It was a HUGE pain. I got so aggravated. Was ready to scream...well did scream a few times.
Now I need to replace our other computer because now that my husband is retiring, he will be helping me more in the business and doing more bookkeeping accounts. His is REALLLY old and slow.
I am going to buy my son-in-law's computer. It has Vista on it and so programs will run on both computers. He wants a new one with more gaming space.
I also found out that you can buy a cable for less than $20 that will link older printers to new computers.

Linda

[dsi]

My Dell laptop is 5 years old and runs great. I turn it off at night, and when in use I only use it for getting on the internet for tax research and to access the various webboards, and my email.

My desktop is homebuilt. I built it in earliy 2005 and the only thing I've had to replace was the power supply. Also, every year I thoroughly clean the inside of my computer using air, qtips and alcohol. So far it's been good to me.

[rgtaxservice]

new computer

I just replaced my computer and printer in October. After 6 1/2 years the printer died. I replaced it and a week later the computer hard drive physically broke. I get a lot of time out of my system. I have them built to spec with the fastest processors and maximum RAM. It's ahead of the curve for two to three years before what I have is the new 'standard'. Of course I spent about $2,000. At least it's only once every six or seven years.

[rgtaxservice]

Just a thought

One thing I did incorporate into the new system was a RAID. Basically I have two 320 GD hard drives but one is just a ghost of the other. It's not like a C: and D:. It's just one C: and it's automatically and simultaneously is backed up to the mirrored drive.

It's just another layer of protection.

[BOB W]

I just replaced my computer and printer in October. After 6 1/2 years the printer died. I replaced it and a week later the computer hard drive physically broke. I get a lot of time out of my system. I have them built to spec with the fastest processors and maximum RAM. It's ahead of the curve for two to three years before what I have is the new 'standard'. Of course I spent about $2,000. At least it's only once every six or seven years.

You are on the right track with GOOD computers. Computers are OUR main source of income and to have old and slow ones seems contrary to good business practice. Laptops just doesn't fit my needs for productivity. Everything is just too small and compact. The screen get in the way of reading paperwork. I like Keyboard, Desk space then Monitor.
Laptops are a neck bender.

[rgtaxservice]

it gets better

I like Keyboard, Desk space then Monitor.

I treated myself to a 24" flat panel. I actually have space in front of the flat panel to lay down full sheets of paper and write like a grown-up!! No more twisting to the side. Not to mention that the view on the screen is amazing.

When I got the last computer 6 1/2 yrs ago, the biggest monitor I could get was a 19" monitor. It was huge. I had about 6 inches from the screen to the edge of the desk. I don't even remember if flat screens were on the market - with costing thousands.

I've wanted one for a very long time and realized that I deserve it.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Love my flat screen

I have a flat screen, next to my laptop. So I have 2 monitors I can access. I have keyboard and mouse too. Can't handle the keyboard on a laptop. Room for papers in front of monitors.
Only way to go.

Linda
.

[geekgirldany]

Thanks to everyone for responding.

Well my computer seems to be working fine right now but I suppose I really do need to get another one. I've found a HP but I purchased one of them years ago and had problems from day one. Also found a Dell. Both would run me around $900. They both have the latest and greatest components in them. I am also considering getting a lower end model. Found some $300 to $400 models. Only thing is they seem low on memory and I would have to get a graphics card to run my two monitors.

Interesting how a majority of you say you have owned yours around 5 yrs before upgrading. I leave my computer on at my office just about all the time during the tax season. This is so I can remote into it from my home to do additional work. I wonder if this is cutting the life span of my computers down seeing as these last ones I had have only last around 2 to 3 years.

[dkss]

I leave my home computer (the oldest one) on ALL the time, excepting vacations and thunderstorms. I also leave my office computer (5yrs old) on most of the year. I like to have it available anytime I stop in the office. I don't want to have to show up early to an off season appointment just so I can boot the computer up!