Murphy's law of computer acquisiton

Etienne · 01-29-08, 05:58 PM

The day after you buy any piece of computer equipment, it becomes obsolete. Or outdated, anyway.

Case in point : I bought a laptop from Dell yesterday with a 512mb Dual Nvidia 8700M with SLI. Today, they offer the same laptop with a 8800M, 1GB video card. It *is* six hundred bucks more, and delays the order, but DAMN! I would have at least thought about it. Although six hundred bucks would have made the whole thing a *bit* too expensive, I guess.

The worst part is, I'd told myself I'd wait until today, because I figured the 8800 would be offered soon, but figured I'd better c... or get off the pot.

Damn. Frustrating.

fatty · 01-29-08, 06:04 PM

This is closer to Moore's Law than Murphy's :p

Personally, I never buy bleeding edge technology. I usually buy a generation behind. For instance, I recently upgraded. My video card is now an 8600GT SSC ($100 after rebate). Yes, the 8800GTs are out and supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread, but they also cost $100-200 more. Now, am I supposed to believe that paying twice the price will net me twice the performance? It's just not worth it.

Etienne · 01-29-08, 06:10 PM

I entirely agree with you; however I don't know how feasible it is to change a video card in a laptop computer. With a desktop computer, just wait until the price goes down, swap 'em out, and you're in business... With a laptop, lifespan kind of goes with it.

In a related matter, is the video card in an XPS laptop replaceable?

01-29-08, 05:58 PM	#1
Etienne Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Murphy's law of computer acquisiton The day after you buy any piece of computer equipment, it becomes obsolete. Or outdated, anyway. Case in point : I bought a laptop from Dell yesterday with a 512mb Dual Nvidia 8700M with SLI. Today, they offer the same laptop with a 8800M, 1GB video card. It is six hundred bucks more, and delays the order, but DAMN! I would have at least thought about it. Although six hundred bucks would have made the whole thing a bit too expensive, I guess. The worst part is, I'd told myself I'd wait until today, because I figured the 8800 would be offered soon, but figured I'd better c... or get off the pot. Damn. Frustrating.

01-29-08, 06:04 PM	#2
fatty The Old Man Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,448 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	This is closer to Moore's Law than Murphy's :p Personally, I never buy bleeding edge technology. I usually buy a generation behind. For instance, I recently upgraded. My video card is now an 8600GT SSC ($100 after rebate). Yes, the 8800GTs are out and supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread, but they also cost $100-200 more. Now, am I supposed to believe that paying twice the price will net me twice the performance? It's just not worth it.

01-29-08, 06:10 PM	#3
Etienne Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I entirely agree with you; however I don't know how feasible it is to change a video card in a laptop computer. With a desktop computer, just wait until the price goes down, swap 'em out, and you're in business... With a laptop, lifespan kind of goes with it. In a related matter, is the video card in an XPS laptop replaceable?