Buying your next PC: comments and perspectives

Unless you’re an inveterate upgrader, you’ll replace your personal computer every few years. Computer crazies say “every 18 months,” and a few retrograde managers might say “when it dies” ‐ but for most of us, three to four years is about right. The author replaced his home computer in August 1996, after three‐and‐a‐half years and several upgrades. Almost a year later, he looks at that buying decision and how it looks today. This article could be considered an update from Trailing Edge 15, when the issue of buying your next PC was most recently raised ‐ before the author purchased his previous system. Those with long memories may be as surprised by what hasn’t changed as well as by what has.