When's the right time to buy a desktop?

[gpiehl]

I am ready to pull the trigger on a new desktop but have this incredible fear of buying something today only to see it for cheaper or better tomorrow. Are there any better times to buy or do I need to just go with it and and don't have any buyer's remorse? I am looking at buying a Dell based on a lot of suggestions here.

[Ray Nagin]

4PM central time

[heavylee]

That definition of the 'right time' will never come. That's exactly how technology works: it's cheaper tomorrow because something better came out.

[syco123]

When's the right time to buy a desktop?
Right now!

If you want to hold out for a couple of weeks, then jump on the next killer deal that everyone raves about. Just be sure it's the PC to do want you want and you're not paying for features or hardware you'll never use.

[zeth006]

I am ready to pull the trigger on a new desktop but have this incredible fear of buying something today only to see it for cheaper or better tomorrow. Are there any better times to buy or do I need to just go with it and and don't have any buyer's remorse? I am looking at buying a Dell based on a lot of suggestions here.



Make a deal alert for "Dell." The next time there's a Dell desktop deal that people are saying is "hot" or "possibly a price mistake," don't hesitate to pull the trigger. In fact, there should be another one out within a month or two. Be patient.


The ideal hot Dell deal will have the option of upgrading to a high-end dual/quad-core processor and will come standard with a 20" or higher monitor. Plan on saving a bit of cash by buying your own graphics card and wireless card (as I did years back).

Above all, remember that computers get obsolete quickly over time. Within a few months you may find that your CPU or graphics card isn't the most advanced. That's normal.

On the other hand, my laptop CPU is still considered one of the better ones around 1 year later even though it wasn't the best when I bought it. It could be that the recession is slowing down the rate at which Intel/AMD roll out products. Who knows?

The bottom line is be ready to pounce on a deal that you know you won't regret. :nod:

[gpiehl]

Thanks for the comments. I pulled the trigger and am excited to get my new computer in a couple of weeks! Thanks to everyone.

[mat2000]

I am ready to pull the trigger on a new desktop but have this incredible fear of buying something today only to see it for cheaper or better tomorrow. Are there any better times to buy or do I need to just go with it and and don't have any buyer's remorse? I am looking at buying a Dell based on a lot of suggestions here.

When is the right time to buy a computer?

Ans: When you really need a new system.

Computers are constantly getting better performance for the $. As soon as you get one, it begins to depreciate rapidly. Thankfully few people need the fastest CPU anymore, so you should be able to get a really nice desktop for much less than the $3-5k people used to spend.

How much to spend?

This is what I would figure out: HOW MUCH would you pay to RENT a computer for a year?

Then ask yourself how often would you replace your system. Every 2 yrs? 3 yrs? 4 yrs?

For me, I figure on upgrading a desktop every 3 years, even tho I may want to every year I try to hold off for 3 years ;)

Then multiply #yrs x (how much to rent). i.e. if you figure out you would pay upto $240 a year to rent a computer, and want to replace it every 3 years, then your budget should be about $720.

For that price you should be able to find a really nice system when the deals come up.


Don't forget to determine IF the price you are willing to pay will cover what you want. I know someone will say they would only pay $10/month and want to replace their computer every year.. well $120 doesn't get you much in terms of a new computer. Thus, that is perhaps a bit unrealistic.

For a desktop you should be able to find a nice system with monitor (LCD) on a deal for the $500 or less range (maybe even under $400! ), or if you want a higher end system easily under $1k.

REMEMBER to backup your data, hard drives die and systems get infected. :(

Oh, and regarding Dell System - IF you want to add a fancy graphics card, becareful, SOME Dell systems have power supplies JUST powerful enough for the basics and can't handle the extra power output required by a powerful graphics card.

good luck!