why does everyone wants the cheapest PC

[robblok]

I see topics all the time about what is the cheapest this ect ect. People seem to be really price obsessed about a PC. Given that a PC will last for 3 or more years and most people use it a lot. Why not go for something a lil bit more expensive and better. I am not talking about expensive videocards if you don't game. But a bit better motherboard a decent case and a bit more expensive brand name power supply. 

 

What I have found (i used to build PC's commercially) is that if you use the better parts computers are usually more stable and last longer (especially motherboards with good capacitors as they often fail the cheap ones use cheap parts). Also I would check specs of computers because not all SSD's are created equal (M2 versions go much faster). 

 

Sure one should have a PC that suits one needs but in general they are used a lot and over 3 or more years 40k is not that much. I mean better parts might cost like 5000-10000 more in total depending on what you all buy. So instead of 30k 40k ect. 

 

Also its not a crime to pay for some software, many people seem to want everything free, paying a bit usually means virus free software without too much adware that slows a computer down.  The minimum I would do is pay for an operating system not work with cheap cracked versions. (who knows what else is added like keyloggers ect).

 

Just my 2 cents, i spend a bit more on my PC's as i work and play with them a lot. Bigger screens bigger SSD's faster graphical card and processor 32gb instead of 16 ect ect. But that is of course overkill for many. But just a bit more for quality parts pays off.

[Surelynot]

Good question......I also wonder why anyone even wants a PC? Is it to do with gaming? If not, I find a laptop perfectly adequate and I can take it every where I go.

[robblok]

1 minute ago, Surelynot said:

Good question......I also wonder why anyone even wants a PC? Is it to do with gaming? If not, I find a laptop perfectly adequate and I can take it every where I go.

That is a matter of how you use it, i could never use a laptop for the things I do (work) also pleasure i prefer a desktop. Plus I live at one place why would i go for a laptop. I don't need the mobility. Why pay extra if you don't need it. I would say a laptop is 30% more expensive for the same stuff. 

 

But again it really depends on how one lives his / her life. For work I need a PC for gaming too and for the watching TV a nice PC with good screen is nice too. (a laptop connected to a nice screen is good too). 

 

But that is personal preference..

 

But when you buy a laptop do you go for the cheapest or do you go for something a bit more expensive but build good and has more options ?

[Surelynot]

1 minute ago, robblok said:

But when you buy a laptop do you go for the cheapest or do you go for something a bit more expensive but build good and has more options ?

Went for the 13" MacBook Air .......had the bigger 15" MacBook Pro (free from work),  which was nice, but it is quite a lump to carry around.....had to give it back when I retired....strange?

 

As you say horses for courses.....I don't work, don't game, but do travel around a lot

[BritManToo]

22 minutes ago, robblok said:

Given that a PC will last for 3 or more years and most people use it a lot. Why not go for something a lil bit more expensive and better.

Any Pc will stream movies (4k) and music, and let you browse the internet. The bottleneck is your internet speed, not your pc's processor power. So  there's no need to pay any more, unless you want to play the most recent games.

 

Most retired people don't play PC games, so no need to spend excess money.

My TV is the 65" PC screen, my PC is about 6 years old, SSD, win7, all media on a NAS.

My next upgrade (if I live long enough) will be a 75" (LG) screen @30kbht.

 

PS. i don't buy any  software, and I don't see any ads.

[robblok]

4 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

Went for the 13" MacBook Air .......had the bigger 15" MacBook Pro (free from work),  which was nice, but it is quite a lump to carry around.....had to give it back when I retired....strange?

 

As you say horses for courses.....I don't work, don't game, but do travel around a lot

Exactly traveling around a lot makes a laptop far superior.

 

To be honest i hate the keyboards and screens that laptops have. I do have a 13 inch macbook with windows 10 on it for if i want to travel. I also got a good tablet for when i travel so its basically covered. But recently I had to make a workspace for my GF. She got a company laptop. 

 

Even at her company they have workspaces with docking stations. Because nobody likes working behind laptops. (for longer periods).

 

In the end I got a nice switch for my monitors and a good 2 monitor docking station (was hard to find with the right specs). But it basically turned a laptop into a PC. Removing it mobility and giving it a good keyboard 2 big monitors and a mouse. 

 

But for people who travel a lot a laptop is best. For people who like more comfort it is not. Like you said horses for courses. 

 

I game like every two days or so. Depending a bit but i like playing strategy games and some VR.

[robblok]

Just now, BritManToo said:

Any Pc will stream movies (4k) and music, and let you browse the internet. The bottleneck is your internet speed, not your pc's processor power. So  there's no need to pay any more, unless you want to play the most recent games.

 

Most retired people don't play PC games, so no need to spend excess money.

Even if it is only browsing a better PSU and a good case would still make the PC better. A better motherboard would make it last longer. I disagree with not paying more. I would not go for the cheapest. I prefer a good mainboard, a good PSU and after that one can make it as cheap / expensive as one wants.

[JetsetBkk]

27 minutes ago, robblok said:

Given that a PC will last for 3 or more years and most people use it a lot.

 

The one I built and use every day:  just over 9 years. ????

[robblok]

4 minutes ago, JetsetBkk said:

 

The one I built and use every day:  just over 9 years. ????

It really depends if you change the programs you used over those 9 years. Not many PC's can keep up with the programs that long. I usually like to use newer programs. Then you can forge about (comfortably) using a PC that long. 

[JetsetBkk]

5 minutes ago, robblok said:

12 minutes ago, JetsetBkk said:

 

The one I built and use every day:  just over 9 years. ????

It really depends if you change the programs you used over those 9 years. Not many PC's can keep up with the programs that long. I usually like to use newer programs. Then you can forge about (comfortably) using a PC that long. 

 

Agreed. I also built a Windows 10 PC, but still use the old one for email and other stuff. (I won't say what operating system it still uses as someone will try to shoot me.)

[robblok]

1 minute ago, JetsetBkk said:

 

Agreed. I also built a Windows 10 PC, but still use the old one for email and other stuff. (I won't say what operating system it still uses as someone will try to shoot me.)

Nah... not so strange to keep an old operating system on an old PC.. it would just not work. Those older PC's can also be turned into media servers with linux. Though then it might be nice to have it in small format instead of a big tower.

[Oldie]

I have a high end PC and a very good notebook. The only thing I use all the time is my tablet. It has a big screen and is fast - it is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. No need for the PC and notebook anymore. I can't sit with them in the bed... 

[JetsetBkk]

1 minute ago, Oldie said:

I have a high end PC and a very good notebook. The only thing I use all the time is my tablet. It has a big screen and is fast - it is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. No need for the PC and notebook anymore. I can't sit with them in the bed... 

 

I've got a Galaxy Tab S6 but rarely use it - mostly used when I'm at a computer club meeting, but even then I also take my Asus Ultrabook laptop. Too many toys for the boys. ????

[robblok]

4 minutes ago, Oldie said:

I have a high end PC and a very good notebook. The only thing I use all the time is my tablet. It has a big screen and is fast - it is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. No need for the PC and notebook anymore. I can't sit with them in the bed... 

Also got a galaxy tab plus, only use it when traveling. But maybe because i still work and am at home quite a lot i prefer a PC. I got a good workspace.. good desk and desk chair. But I have always liked sitting behind a PC. But my PC is in the living room. 

[JetsetBkk]

5 minutes ago, robblok said:

Also got a galaxy tab plus, only use it when traveling. But maybe because i still work and am at home quite a lot i prefer a PC. I got a good workspace.. good desk and desk chair. But I have always liked sitting behind a PC. But my PC is in the living room. 

 

I don't work - had 30+ years of that - but my "office" is my real living room. Sometimes not much room left for actual living...

[robblok]

3 minutes ago, JetsetBkk said:

 

I don't work - had 30+ years of that - but my "office" is my real living room. Sometimes not much room left for actual living...

I think that if had a separate room for my computer I would never leave it. That is why its in the living room so i stay in contact with the GF. Besides her workspace is in the other corner (she needs to work too at home at times for her job).

 

I once had a separate room for my computer, i almost never got in my livingroom anymore. But I guess im a lot like you having multiple screens open doing multiple things at the same time.

[JeffersLos]

Why do some people on the internet think that everybody else has the exact same needs and wants as them? 

[Peterw42]

OP, I get your point about spend more and get a better product, better performance and/or reliability etc ,but the same principle also applies the washing machines, lawnmowers or space shuttles. Most people will buy any product balancing out price v performance v reliability.

 

Its all relative, at a certain price point double the price doesn't equate to double the performance/reliability.

 

With PCs and technology in general, the higher price often reflects the development cycle of the technology. you are paying for new features, the next technology etc, the reliability remains the same with the price increase.

[JeffersLos]

2 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

you are paying for new features, the next technology etc,

 

Remember 3D TV's and curved TV's around 5 years ago. ????

[Peterw42]

1 minute ago, JeffersLos said:

 

Remember 3D TV's and curved TV's around 5 years ago. ????

I would respond but cant find my 3D glasses at the moment, lol

 

Good point though, often the extra money doesn't mean better performance/reliability, it just means the latest gimmick

[rcuthbert]

My needs are - reliable web surfing, watching 1080p Blu Ray Rips, and photo editing with Paintshop Pro.

4 years ago, I found a good used brand name laptop. Namely, a Dell Inspiron 1545. It has satisfied all my needs, and has cost me 2500 baht in repairs. (Motherboard rewritten, and a new hard drive) So, in total, I have had 4 years of service for 7500 baht.

Research is the key.

[BritManToo]

Just now, rcuthbert said:

My needs are - reliable web surfing, watching 1080p Blu Ray Rips, and photo editing with Paintshop Pro.

4 years ago, I found a good used brand name laptop. Namely, a Dell Inspiron 1545. It has satisfied all my needs, and has cost me 2500 baht in repairs. (Motherboard rewritten, and a new hard drive) So, in total, I have had 4 years of service 7500 baht.

Research is the key.

Sorry,, anyone using  a  laptop has no credibility.

[Crossy]

I'm still using the second desktop PC I bought in Thailand back in 2005.

 

Of course like "Theseus’s ship" (or more recently "Trigger's Broom") it's had bits replaced and upgraded over the years, in fact the only original part is the case.

 

Is it still the "same" PC? I'll leave that to the students of philosophy to discuss.

 

[sezze]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Sorry,, anyone using  a  laptop has no credibility.

And why not ?

A computer serves a purpose . Same as the specs serve a purpose . Why at all should any computer even when on 24/7 be thrown away when 3y old ? What has the "quality" of the case to do with how long a computer lives ?

Basic internet stuff any computer on the market will do this job easy , also with streaming some movies to TV or similar .

If you are talking some kind of heavy software , like for video editing , CAD and especially gaming , then this changes , but by far most people do not ever do that .

I play relatively easy games on laptop , which does have a GPU . My 1st 2 laptops i replaced after 7/8 y of use , and in fact that last 1 i still use from time to time to stream on TV , it only has trouble gaming which is logic for a laptop of 7/8y old . I use my computer/laptop a lot but just basic stuff , like stated , and there is no need at all to buy higher end stuff for what i need , and it will certainly live longer then 3y .

You can buy a Lian Li case , with high end MB , i9 proc , RTX3090 and 64GB ram , with 3 SSD 's and a 1000watt PSU but after 7-8y it will also be outdated , leaving you probably only with the nice case .

[2530Ubon]

10 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Sorry,, anyone using  a  laptop has no credibility.

Sorry, anyone using windows 7 has no credibility. It was a good operating system, but there are no more security updates /fixes. It has reached the end of it's useful life.

[rcuthbert]

13 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Sorry,, anyone using  a  laptop has no credibility.

At least we understand the importance of checking our work. Not to mention our ability to grasp the rules of basic punctuation.

[fdsa]

Sorry, anyone using a huge heavy box dependant on stable power supply has no credibility.

Desktop PCs are the thing of the past.

[maxpower]

19 minutes ago, fdsa said:

Sorry, anyone using a huge heavy box dependant on stable power supply has no credibility.

Desktop PCs are the thing of the past.

 

Big small heavy or light, they all require a stable power supply.

 

When someone drops credibility bait, the results can be amusing. 

[sezze]

7 minutes ago, maxpower said:

 

Big small heavy or light, they all require a stable power supply.

 

When someone drops credibility bait, the results can be amusing. 

1 has a battery build in , other 1 just shuts down ( unless you buy UPS ) . The stable power supply both have build in , when removing the plug or dropping voltages ( this might happen in Thailand ) , 1 still keeps working and the other 1 just says no .

[Oldie]

1 hour ago, JetsetBkk said:

 

I don't work - had 30+ years of that - but my "office" is my real living room. Sometimes not much room left for actual living...

 

Are you serious? Looks like a computer store. For what do you need so many???