Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades) • Hacker News Board

Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)

#11

Post by originalseries » Tue, Jun 07, 2022, 1:17 AM UTC

Personally most of my computers are Ivy Bridge (3rd gen Intel). I do not use anything past that, I do not see any improvements in technology that make it worth upgrading, and there are many annoyances to the new stuff, I don't like USB-C at all. I can still run DOS and Windows XP on a 3rd gen Intel.

I prefer using old 5:4 1280x1024 monitors. I can't stand 16:9 or 16:10. I use three monitors with integrated graphics on an Optiplex. I do not like LED monitors, I prefer CCFL.

My keyboards are PS/2.

The point is all my computer equipment is dirt cheap, and I actually prefer it to the new stuff.

The ATI 4870 is actually kind of a nice GPU.

I have no interest in the M2, however if and when they release the M5 Multitronic Unit, I will definitely have a close look at that one.

Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)

#12

Post by usrn » Tue, Jun 07, 2022, 1:17 AM UTC

dijit wrote: post #8

I would have kept the same hardware forever too, but for some reason my tools seem to take more and more resources every year. Silly example is gmail, which loaded in 1s on my 2011 MacBook Pro when new, if it load it again today (I just tried) it takes 35 seconds before I can click anything. Another might be everyone’s favourite software to hate on: Teams. On my 2011 MacBook Pro: fans squealing, UI of the OS becomes…

Did the Alpine mail reader stop working with Gmail? I switched to self hosting after Google kicked me out of my account with a broken password reset so I haven't had to switch to a different mail reader.

Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)

#13

Post by pddpro » Tue, Jun 07, 2022, 1:17 AM UTC

What in the world is bake-it-in-the-oven?

Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)

#14

Post by ffhhj » Tue, Jun 07, 2022, 1:18 AM UTC

LeoPanthera wrote: post #6

The recent Raspberry Pi models (4/400) have the potential to really expand computing globally. They're the first ones that have enough CPU power and RAM to do virtually everything you'd ever want to do with a desktop computer, with the exception of playing the latest games (and perhaps ML? I don't know much about it), but they cost $45 and run from a USB power supply. It's amazing how much you can do with them.

It's out of stock everywhere.

Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)

#15

Post by jmmcd » Tue, Jun 07, 2022, 1:20 AM UTC

I had a nice imac in work in 2009. A few years later I brought it home to work from home. I added an ssd and some RAM. My wife is still using it for Google Docs and my kids for Minecraft and Netflix.

Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)

#16

Post by LeoPanthera » Tue, Jun 07, 2022, 1:20 AM UTC

ffhhj wrote: post #14

LeoPanthera wrote: post #6

The recent Raspberry Pi models (4/400) have the potential to really expand computing globally. They're the first ones that have enough CPU power and RAM to do virtually everything you'd ever want to do with a desktop computer, with the exception of playing the latest games (and perhaps ML? I don't know much about it), but they cost $45 and run from a USB power supply. It's amazing how much you can do with them.

It's out of stock everywhere.

That would be the "potential" part, but I don't think the supply chain problems are limited to the Raspberry Pi.

(Also, it's often in stock, check https://rpilocator.com )

Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)

#17

Post by ckz » Tue, Jun 07, 2022, 1:21 AM UTC

Never lose that spirit. Buy, run, and maintain what works for you.

I also have a machine from 2007 in regular service, though in a secondary role (file server, etc.), but my daily driver isn't that much newer (2013, still a rust drive). Both machines have generated and continue to generate plenty of productivity and revenue.

I find that a little overbuilding in the right areas, like choosing a first-gen quad core in 2007 (often considered overkill on forums at the time), will greatly help the chances of you creating something that will last.

It's important not to hoard, but there's tremendous value in finding and maintaining quality. The advantage of old things is that you can point survivorship bias in your favor. Buying new, but very selectively with an eye towards 20-100y duty cycles (and maintaining them, like you're doing!) greatly helps in the same way.

Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)

#18

Post by jmmcd » Tue, Jun 07, 2022, 1:21 AM UTC

The flipside of this story is: if you're buying a new machine, get rid of the old one! The sooner the better, both for you (if you can get some money for it) and for the environment (the newer your machine is when you get rid of it, the more likely it is to prevent someone else from buying a new one).

Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)

#19

Post by jeanlucas » Tue, Jun 07, 2022, 1:21 AM UTC

pddpro wrote: post #13

What in the world is bake-it-in-the-oven?

Oh, not sure what he meant exactly, but when I used to work soldering boards we used an oven to recover older boards. Basically with a little bit of heat all broken up parts can heal with it. Found this result on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFCFiSB2Fuk

Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)

#20

Post by version_five » Tue, Jun 07, 2022, 1:22 AM UTC

I have a 2013 machine (dell latitude, 8GB, Intel i5 I think) that I still use and for most things I don't see a material difference vs my newer machines. The major difference is the form factor, the 2013 machine is a big brick, a newer xps or my macbook is way lighter and more portable, if that matters to you.