Re: cheap computers (E-Machine, et al)Is your current machine better?
Quick poll: Who out there uses a machine that's "better" than the $399 box that E-Machines is selling? Here's what I've got: Toshiba laptop, 133MHz, 64 MB of RAM, 2 GB hard drive, 28.8 modem, slower, less memory filled graphics card, 20-speed CD-ROM. So if I replaced it with one of these $399 non-state of the art machines, I'd still be better off, overall, and if I just throw in a few more bucks, I'd have more RAM. Just wouldn't be portable, which I'm caring less and less about anyway.
I'm seriously thinking of changing my computer strategy to budgeting for a new machine yearly ($3-500?), buying a monitor/keyboard/mouse switch, and running them at less than full capacity, i.e. one machine has MS Office and other business apps, the oldest ones used as file/print servers, and another has a scanner, camera, and other peripherals hooked up. Sort of like balancing the load. Also, if one goes down, I've got a backup. Network the house, and I could have one in the office, one in the kitchen, and one in the living room so I could surf and watch TV at the same time.
So why should I buy top of the line? Just a year or two ago, the sweet spot for value was around $1k-the new sweet spot is below $400. |
