I'm wondering about the average life of a home computer. I know there are variables that affect this such as the quality of the computer, how often it's used and what a person's doing on the computer.

I've had this Gateway for 3 1/2 years now. It was a top of the line model at the time I purchased it. Aside from maintenance earlier this year, it works great. All I really do is go to a few websites, and use Microsoft Word and the spreadsheet program.

I have AOL. I recently upgraded to the latest version, but found my computer worked worse, so I went back to the other one. I'm wondering if that had to do with the fact that my computer isn't new anymore.

How is it acting? Like a tame 2 yr old or one with a temper tantrum?

Originally posted by Unmarried*happy
How is it acting? Like a tame 2 yr old or one with a temper tantrum?
Read my post and you'll see.

Updating AOL always used to mess up my computer.

Reason #1367 why AOL sucks. :D

Well, my dad's computer at home is 5 years old (got it in November 1999). It's a Gateway as well, and it was top-of-the-line when they got it. Now it's on the verge of dying because it's so old and it takes forever to load up programs. Plus, my stepsis loaded down the computer with spyware when she used to use Kazaa and Morpheus.

Mine, on the other hand, just turned 1 year old a couple of weeks ago. I got mine the first week of December 2003 when the CPU to my other computer suddenly died. I couldn't turn it on anymore. It was a POS anyway. :lol: I'd gotten it in March 2001 from some computer shop that specialized in used computers. Big mistake - I will never do that again! I honestly don't think those guys knew anything about computers. They shorted me on how much memory my computer could handle, and I had to have a real computer whiz friend of mine upgrade my memory for me.

I do routine maintenance with it, do regular updates, use Firefox, etc. and my computer still runs like new. I plan to keep it that way. :D

Mine isn't even a year old - it will be at the end of the month - and I've deleted it over 10 times. I've lost count - maybe 11 or 12. But that was back when I used Internet Explorer, Limewire, and things like that. Now I use Firefox, and so does my dad. If I want a song, I either get the CD or ask one of my friends to send me it. It's been good for almost a month now. Maybe even more than that. *knocks on wood*

Originally posted by Janice
Read my post and you'll see.

Seems like you need to give AOL a time-out

Originally posted by Unmarried*happy
Seems like you need to give AOL a time-out
:lol:

I don't think it's so much AOL. It's that my computer is outdated and can't handle their upgrades.

Originally posted by Janice
:lol:

I don't think it's so much AOL. It's that my computer is outdated and can't handle their upgrades.

Yep. Realistically, you should get a new computer about every 3 years or so. :)

Originally posted by PZelda
Yep. Realistically, you should get a new computer about every 3 years or so. :)
Now that's two things you have to send me.

See 'need an avatar' thread below. :lol:

Originally posted by Janice
Now that's two things you have to send me.

See 'need an avatar' thread below. :lol:

I SAW YOU EYEING MY COMPUTER. HANDS OFF, BUB! :cuss:

My gateway is about three or four years old too. I upgraded the memory earlier this year, but it probably could use an overhaul.

I'm not a computer gamer or a big downloader, so my computer can handle things for now.

It's not the size that counts, it's how well you use it.

And, yes, I'm still talking about computers, you pervert.

;)

It just depends on how you treat it... I guess how much it's used affects it to. This one will be 2 years old in February and physically works great(have had a few problems recently but it's not a big deal).

My computer will be 5 years old in a few months and its already been in the shop twice. I could barely do anything on it a few months ago. It works better now but it still has problems.

Originally posted by Janice
:lol:

I don't think it's so much AOL. It's that my computer is outdated and can't handle their upgrades.

I guess it's not my day to talk about computers:lol: :rolleyes:

I think it all depends on how much you upgrade it or how much stuff you really do on it. Like if you use it a lot and download tons of stuff- maybe 5 years? But if it's just a computer you use to word processor things or for business, maybe 10 years? My parents computer I'm using right now is from 2000 and I think it sucks. You can't watch any flash movies or other movies on it! Well, all my parents really do is email and browse websites, but I like to download a bunch of stuff. So, now I have my own computer!

i've had this gateway for 4 years. it's crashed only 3 times. :grr:

Originally posted by Janice
I'm wondering about the average life of a home computer. I know there are variables that affect this such as the quality of the computer, how often it's used and what a person's doing on the computer.

I've had this Gateway for 3 1/2 years now. It was a top of the line model at the time I purchased it. Aside from maintenance earlier this year, it works great. All I really do is go to a few websites, and use Microsoft Word and the spreadsheet program.

I have AOL. I recently upgraded to the latest version, but found my computer worked worse, so I went back to the other one. I'm wondering if that had to do with the fact that my computer isn't new anymore.

It REALLY depends. If well made, you will want a new one LONG before it goes bad. The proof is the continuing amount of 386's and 486's still floating around. Now a 3 & 1/2 year old computer probably doesn't need to be upgraded yet. If you are running into any performance issues, most can probably be overcome with RAM upgrades, video upgrades, or other less-costly expansions.

I hate to say it, but AOL SUCKS. More than likely, It is the problem, not the computer. It eats resources like crazy. It's really best to never put it on ANY computer...but if it's your ISP....

Originally posted by Janice
:lol:

I don't think it's so much AOL. It's that my computer is outdated and can't handle their upgrades.

What are the specs of your system anyway? I would say in general it is never worth upgrading a system for AOL. Their service stinks.

Plus their software is demanding because THEY make it demanding. It runs in the background eating up precious megs of memory.

OK...end of rant.

My last computer was a Compaq Presario that was top-of-the-line back in '99 when I bought it, and it died around 3 months ago. Thank God we had another computer (a Dell) or else my semester would have been ruined!

My new HP is running great!

Originally posted by AllIWantIsYourClutch
Updating AOL always used to mess up my computer.

Reason #1367 why AOL sucks. :D

I agree.

Our first computer (Technically second) which we bought in March of 2000 still runs fine, as good as it did in 2000...But nobody really uses it for much because it's a bit slow and doesnt have alot of disk space. It's a Dell.

Our other desktop is also a Dell from 2001 and it's as slow as heck. Again...Mostly just used for internet surfing and pictures.

Our laptop is a brand-new HP Pavilion, it's great for mobile gaming.

Originally posted by Janice
I'm wondering about the average life of a home computer. I know there are variables that affect this such as the quality of the computer, how often it's used and what a person's doing on the computer.

I've had this Gateway for 3 1/2 years now. It was a top of the line model at the time I purchased it. Aside from maintenance earlier this year, it works great. All I really do is go to a few websites, and use Microsoft Word and the spreadsheet program.

I have AOL. I recently upgraded to the latest version, but found my computer worked worse, so I went back to the other one. I'm wondering if that had to do with the fact that my computer isn't new anymore.


I've had mine almost 6 years and have only had minor problems with it, it runs just fine.

It's probably AOL, cause AOL sucks ;)

I would say it's like a car, if you take excellent care of it, it will last a long time, if you don't, then well you know :)

It probably really is AOL, I know lots of people who have had more problems with AOL than anything else.

Originally posted by Lola Dane
I've had mine almost 6 years and have only had minor problems with it, it runs just fine.

It's probably AOL, cause AOL sucks ;)

I would say it's like a car, if you take excellent care of it, it will last a long time, if you don't, then well you know :)

It probably really is AOL, I know lots of people who have had more problems with AOL than anything else.

:yeahthat

AOL is a big trap. Don't get sucked into it, Janice.