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Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)
21–30 of 298 posts
Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)
#22I can't recall the last time I threw away a computer. Either I've repurposed or fixed my devices over the years, as you have. A few examples:
- When my partner replaced their desktop, I rebuilt the old one into a NAS. I had to get new hard drives and a SATA port card to make that one work.
- Current main computer is a desktop that I helped my friend build, which I bought back from him in 2013 or 2014 after he upgraded. I've had to replace the power supply and the graphics card; currently it has an RX 580 from 2017.
- Picked up most of my networking gear from my previous job as an IT consultant, including an HP JE008A switch and an old Sonicwall TZ210.
I've also got the IT pack-rat shelf full of equipment that I "might use someday" - a stack of Chromebooks, network switches, graphics cards, various bits and pieces.
The last piece of kit I actually spent real money on was an refurbished Dell R720, which I'm currently using as my VM server. I've added more RAM and drive space to it as I've needed.
Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)
#23The 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).
The amount of time it takes to dissemble, photograph, describe, list on a site or two, answer email or sms questions, package, and finally ship spare PC components.
Yeah, no thanks, it can keep collecting dust.
Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)
#24My 2006 Mac Pro is still perfectly usable, regardless of what Apple claims. It's just loud. :(
Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)
#25What in the world is bake-it-in-the-oven?
Almost certainly referring to this technique:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Temporarily+Repair+a+Lost+Cause...
Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)
#26Brazil’s policy of massive import taxes and regulation to force electronics manufacturers to build local plants has distorted their marketplace so much that it’s really hard to compare it to other countries.
Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)
#27What in the world is bake-it-in-the-oven?
Literally baking your graphics card to reflow the solder
Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)
#28I tried to do this with every laptop I've bought: something that will last and be repairable. Three Dell XPS 13s later I'm buying a Starbook. I hope it'll be the last for a long, long time.
Desktops I've had more luck with - my last one that died did so in November last year. I've replaced it with a Udoo Bolt and I'm hoping to hang on to that for a decade, too.
Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)
#29Admirable and well worth sharing. I'm originally from eastern Europe and understand and empathize with the perspective. We get quite the mixture here on HN, from SV perspective on salary and minimum acceptable HW, to more world wide stories :).
That being said, there are many reasons to stick with repairable old equipment, including "it still works".
So while I am not currently computing on anything from 2007 :), I have t420s laptops used on daily basis (February 2011),and my primary main desktop is chugging the amd fx8350 (2012). I use it for gaming, light room and Photoshop no problems! I live in Canada and have good income - but there's genuinely no reason for me to replace these. Like yourself, I've changed and fixed parts - particularly hard drives. But their hearts are still beating strong :).
Re: Tell HN: I used the same computer since 2007 (with minor upgrades)
#30Used a i7 3930k with 32GB Ram since 2012 with only upgrading to a 2080 TI from a 750. Did everything it needed to do and more (heavy vfx, editing, nibbling into machine learning) and still was usable for most of the things you threw at it. The board finally gave in after 10 years so I upgraded and the CPU is now framed and hanging above my new workstation. My computing devices all have the names of quake weapons but nothing will ever top - railgun.
For repurposing I often hunt for old broken radios to put a raspi in it and use it as smart speakers with mycroft, spotify connect and airplay connectify. If you get ones from quality brands the speakers are usually still in really good shape and you need nothing more than a small amp to use them. Add some yellow leds for lighting and you have a nice looking smart speaker for 30-40 bucks. I just love the aesthetic https://imgur.com/fZDEEyL