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Dear Apple, there’s nothing ‘really sad’ about using a 5-year-old PC

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Re: Dear Apple, there’s nothing ‘really sad’ about using a 5-year-old PC

#221
post #218
post #130

I said this in the other thread.. I just bought a "new to me" laptop. Refurb Thinkpad T420s from 2011. I added 16G RAM, two Intel SSDs, an Ultrabay battery, and an 802.12ac wifi card. Grand total: less than $325. This will be my primary portable for at least 2-3 years, and it's already four years old. Just because I can afford Apple doesn't mean I can justify the 2x price premium, or that "old" hardware isn't capable…

May I ask from where you bought it and how did you upgrade it. Looks like a very interested configuration.

There's a lot of good stuff on eBay and Craigslist.

Re: Dear Apple, there’s nothing ‘really sad’ about using a 5-year-old PC

#222

Actually, my main development tower is about nine years old. And in that time, I've upgraded the processor, doubled the memory, upgraded the hard drive to an SSD, switched the video card twice, upped the number of connected monitors from one to three, and upgraded the OS from 32-bit Vista to 64-bit Windows 10. It was pretty leading edge when I built it, and it's still pretty leading edge today. What's sad is the expe…

Once you replace the motherboard it'll be a true modern day Ship of Theseus

Unless he's on AMD and the processor upgrade was very minor, he almost certainly did.

It's odd when people say "my computer is a decade old and I've only had to replace every single part multiple times over look at how green I'm being". It's the exact same thing as buying a new computer a couple times, just in smaller increments and with parts that are less likely to be recycled on their own.

Re: Dear Apple, there’s nothing ‘really sad’ about using a 5-year-old PC

#223
post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ive had that exact same feeling since my iPad 1's life was effectively ended by software updates. It was the quickest device to become obsolete I've ever owned.

As someone who had to develop for that thing - it was underpowered from day 1. iPhone 3GS hardware with 5x the number of pixels to push and higher expectations on software capability? It was never going to work.

I somewhat agree with you about its specs, However when it came out of the box it was a smooth and snappy tablet.

Re: Dear Apple, there’s nothing ‘really sad’ about using a 5-year-old PC

#224

I'm using a ~5 year old PC I built myself and it still outperforms the hardware in any available mac product (desktop, tablet or laptop) that isn't a Mac Pro (starting price $2999,00). I don't have a compelling reason to upgrade until the launch of VR headsets.

I am also using a phone that outperforms the hardware of any available PC that wasn't built in this century. Putting aside the hyperbole, I'm willing to bet the USB 3.0 and TB2 ports on my MBP out perform the ports on your 5-year old PC.

I actually have 2 USB 3.0 ports. USB 3.0 was first available on ASUS motherboards in late 2009 [1]. Thunderbolt wasn't available at that point but it was unveiled with the Thunderbolt Display, which was July 20th 2011, so coming up fast on 5 years old tech at this point. I personally have no use for 20Gbps transfers so TB2 has zero draw for me to upgrade.

Talking about hyperbole, you're comparing brand new hardware vs something that was released in 1999 (so 16 years of moore's law) against the point that the hardware apple uses in it's cutting edge desktops/laptops is pretty comparable to the stuff commercially available 5 years ago, which is a valid point.

If Apple wants to shame the market for not upgrading in the last 5 years, maybe they should offer a valid reason to upgrade outside of a marketing campaign appealing to 'want' and additional software features which a recent change actually made free anyway.

The idea that I could replace my PC with an iPad pro is just plain wrong.

[1] http://www.pcworld.com/article/174672/Asus_Debut_First_USB_3...

Re: Dear Apple, there’s nothing ‘really sad’ about using a 5-year-old PC

#225

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Were"? As far as I'm aware that's still the case for the vast majority of cheap mainstream laptops all the way up to 17" ones.

I really thought this had gotten better with all the high DPI convertibles and Windows + 3rd party software finally being pretty reliable with it. But you're right, Best Buy's most popular 15" laptop today is this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-15-6-laptop-intel-celeron-4... Specs claim '15.6" display, HD resolution.' with no actual screen resolution listed. Digging around on Asus's website I see it's available wi…

In computer spec alternate reality "HD" is 1366x768, HD+ 1600x900 and True HD 1920x1080.

Re: Dear Apple, there’s nothing ‘really sad’ about using a 5-year-old PC

#226
post #60

I interpreted that comment as a jab at the PC industry. The implication being that in the last 5+ years the PC industry has failed to offer 600 million users a compelling reason to upgrade. Isn't that the correct interpretation, considering the whole point of bringing that up is because they're positioning a new device intended to replace the PC? I seriously doubt it's intended to mean (to quote the article) "LOL poo…

Well, I've had my desktop computer for nearly 5 years. Upgraded the ram once, and added a new hard drive. It still does everything I need it to do. I understand this is sad for Apple, but I don't see how it's sad for me?

If you don't buy a new Apple computer every two years, they won't be able to afford to design a new computer to sell you every two years!

Re: Dear Apple, there’s nothing ‘really sad’ about using a 5-year-old PC

#227
post #11

Did nothing interesting happen in the tech world today? This is such a non-story, it's really weird that this is on the front-page twice.

Pornhub launched a new VR channel for 180 and 360 degree content.

Tinder Adds “Swipe The Vote” so you can hook up with your candidate.

You decide whether either of these are more deserving.

Re: Dear Apple, there’s nothing ‘really sad’ about using a 5-year-old PC

#229

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Once you replace the motherboard it'll be a true modern day Ship of Theseus

Unless he's on AMD and the processor upgrade was very minor, he almost certainly did. It's odd when people say "my computer is a decade old and I've only had to replace every single part multiple times over look at how green I'm being". It's the exact same thing as buying a new computer a couple times, just in smaller increments and with parts that are less likely to be recycled on their own.

Yep, AMD. And the only thing I got rid of were the video cards, which I sold on ebay.

I put the old drive in an external case and used it to archive old engineering projects. Kept the original monitor and added the other two.

I did have to trash my keyboard after I spilled coffee on it, though :)

Re: Dear Apple, there’s nothing ‘really sad’ about using a 5-year-old PC

#230
post #56
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You clearly didn't watch the keynote, since a significant part of it was about unprecedented programs to reuse and recycle their hardware.

Recycling can be a net environmental negative, plus you still have the environmental impact of creating the replacement unit. Not replacing something that still works is way better than replacing it even if you recycle the old unit.

That's why Apple prioritizes reuse over recycling.
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