Alternatives & How to Decide When to Buy a New PC

Well, today I advised one of my clients to buy a Mac.  She has used Windows for years.  She's of the older generation of PC users, and she really doesn't want to change operating systems.  She may not have much of a choice.

Her Windows PC is exhibiting some problems that may require several hours to fix.  That can cost more than an older PC is worth.  My advice always is to:
  • look at how old your computer is (if your aren't sure exactly, look it up!)
  • compare that to the average age of a PC before major problems begin or new technology makes it obsolete (typically about five years for a desktop, four for a laptop)
  • amortize the cost of your PC over that period (if a desktop cost you $900, over five years that's $180/year)
  • figure out the average lifetime left in the PC and add 1/2 year of value to it (in this case, add $90)
Let's say that desktop is four years old.  Using my formula as indicated above, that means the value of the computer is $270.  If it's going to cost substantially more to fix the machine than that (e.g., $350), I suggest it be replaced with a new machine.  

So, this client's machine is exactly the age in my example, and the cost to her to fix this PC will be in the neighborhood of $350 to $400.  That includes:
  • saving all her personal data
  • wiping the hard drive clean
  • reinstalling Windows XP and downloading and installing all updates
  • reinstalling her programs and updating any of them
  • downloading, installing, and updating her Internet security software
  • reconnecting to her local network
  • making sure her email program downloads stuff from her mailbox correctly
  • setting up her backup program to run properly
  • and reinstalling all of her data
If her PC does need fixing (we will know in a day or two), she will buy a new one.  Her choices are a Windows Vista PC or an Apple PC.  In either case, she has to learn a new operating system and buy new software for it.  Her old software won't work in Vista.

Given all of that, I suggest she go with an operating system that is intuitive, somewhat self repairing, and more reliable.

Apple may get a new customer in the next few weeks.

Posted by Sid Plait at 6/30/2008 7:23 PM
Categories: Windows XP, Microsoft, Computers, Windows Vista, All, Macintosh

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  • 7/7/2008 8:44 PM Craig wrote:
    How old is her software that it won't run on vista? Her drivers may be a problem, but most software made this century will run.
    Reply to this
    1. 7/7/2008 8:57 PM Sid Plait wrote:
      Versions of QuickBooks prior to 2007 are not supported.  Office XP may work, but Microsoft won't support it.
      Reply to this
  • 5/29/2009 9:14 PM Christina Viering wrote:
    Good points.
    Reply to this
  • 12/9/2009 7:46 AM UK Software companies wrote:
    Hey, that was interesting,

    Keep up the good work,

    Thanks for bringing this up
    Reply to this
  • 6/6/2010 8:51 PM Will wrote:
    Bogus article.
    Been a Systems Manager for Black&Decker for just over 15 years, supporting both Mac and PC platforms. The Macs ARE not "more repliable" than Windows XP or the latest Vista. Tell out Engineering department that and they'll laugh you right out of the building. They had nothing but problems after problems with their Macs. Became a nightmare for us. We've since switched the entire department to Windows Vista and Windows 7 and haven't heard a single complaint.

    You have no clue what you're talking about, my friend. Quit lying to people about something you clearly have no experience with.

    Thanks.

    Will

    Will
    Reply to this
    1. 6/8/2010 4:12 PM Sid Plait wrote:
      Will Will -

      I don't know what your experiences were.  I'm sorry you had them.  I have worked on and with Macs since 1986, so your comment about me having "no clue" and lying to people is just your opinion, and I don't accept it.

      Your experience is in a corporate environment with servers, as is my past.  However, this blog is written for small business owners and people at home who just use a computer for casual stuff, for the most part.  I do not work in server environments.  My Macs and the ones I support have long lives and work almost, but not quite flawlessly.  My clients also include several photographers who are world-published, and all they've used for years are Macs.  It is the rare occurrence that a Mac fails hardware-wise, and software failures are unusual, in my experience.

      I find it hard to believe that you "haven't heard a single complaint", unless you did the cutover to Windows this morning.  There are no implementations of Windows anywhere I know of that don't have some problems.  And even if they didn't, in a corporate environment, users complain, even if the problem is cockpit error.  Besides, you are running Vista in your shop.  So, your veracity is questionable.

      Your hostility is totally lost on me.  Somehow, the Internet seems to foster people like you who feel they can be insulting and rude.  Take your wrong-mindedness somewhere else.

      Oh, yeah.  I almost forgot...

      I'm not "your friend".  Don't flatter yourself.  MY friends are polite and treat people with respect.

      P.S. - you should spell check your writing before you send it if you want any credibility at all.

      Reply to this
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