How long should a computer last? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 12-18-2004, 12:33 PM

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.

Kazza · 12-18-2004, 12:55 PM

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

Janice · 12-18-2004, 01:01 PM

Quote:

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.

AllIWantIsYourClutch · 12-18-2004, 02:37 PM

Updating AOL always used to mess up my computer.

Reason #1367 why AOL sucks.

PZelda · 12-18-2004, 04:02 PM

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.

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.

-*Forever*- · 12-18-2004, 04:21 PM

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*

Kazza · 12-18-2004, 05:21 PM

Quote:

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

Seems like you need to give AOL a time-out

Janice · 12-18-2004, 05:37 PM

Quote:

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

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 It's that my computer is outdated and can't handle their upgrades.

PZelda · 12-18-2004, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice

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.

Janice · 12-18-2004, 05:41 PM

Quote:

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.

PZelda · 12-18-2004, 05:49 PM

Quote:

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

See 'need an avatar' thread below.

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

TJL · 12-18-2004, 07:06 PM

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.

Brent88 · 12-18-2004, 07:23 PM

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).

Mr. Television · 12-18-2004, 07:30 PM

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.

Kazza · 12-18-2004, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice

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

12-18-2004, 04:21 PM	#6
-Forever- <3333333333333333333 Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 22, 2001 Location: Manlius, NY in reality. Deerfield Beach, FL in my heart. Posts: 28,001	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
	__________________ "Mmm... no... Jeter does not do it for me. He looks like the Rock had sex with a muppet."

12-18-2004, 07:06 PM	#12
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	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.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

12-18-2004, 07:30 PM	#14
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	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.
	__________________ Sonny

12-18-2004, 12:33 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	How long should a computer last? 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.

12-18-2004, 12:55 PM	#2
Kazza Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 17, 2003 Posts: 3,244	How is it acting? Like a tame 2 yr old or one with a temper tantrum?

12-18-2004, 02:37 PM	#4
AllIWantIsYourClutch peaceout. Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 02, 2001 Location: Illinois. Posts: 53,424	Updating AOL always used to mess up my computer. Reason #1367 why AOL sucks.

12-18-2004, 04:02 PM	#5
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	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. 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.

12-18-2004, 07:23 PM	#13
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	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).
	__________________ Brent