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General discussion

November vs. March desktop buy

Oct 26, 2004 2:53AM PDT

Is there anything major on the horizon that would keep me from buying a new desktop now, or should I wait until a few months into the new year? Any response would be appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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Re: November vs. March desktop buy
Oct 26, 2004 7:27AM PDT

In a few months, Microsoft will release 64 bit Windows for X86-64. If you buy an Athlon 64 system now, it will come with regular 32 bit Windows XP. If you wait a few months, it will come with Windows 64 bit installed. Even 32 bit software will run faster using 64 bit Windows rather than using 32 bit Windows. With 64 bit Windows, you can run 64 bit software side by side with 32 bit software. You didn't mention your price range and what you plan to use the pc for. There are some other advantages to waiting as well for higher end systems(in addition to lower prices). I don't know if 64 bit Windows will be out around March, or if the release will be closer to midyear. Microsoft said to expect it in the first half of '05.

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Re: November vs. March desktop buy
Nov 1, 2004 3:51AM PST

Whenever you buy, in six months there will always be something newer, faster, better and cheaper than what you bought. That's just the nature of the PC business. Happy

If you NEED a new PC now, then go ahead and get one. If you don't, then why spend the money? -- Wait six months and see what's available.

After spending many thousands of dollars trying to keep up with the latest technological wonders, I've finally resigned myself to the fact that I don't NEED the latest and greatest bleeding edge technology. As long as what I have does what I need to do, why should I spend money to upgrade? When a new need arises, then I buy the best I can afford that meets that need, but not necessarily the latest thing out of the box.

I'm still using a 10-year old video camera, a 5-year old digital camera, and two 5-year old 400 MHz PC's. Only recently when I decided to take up video editing on my PC did I finally break down and buy a new 3 GHz machine and even then, I spent less than $1,500 for everything including the PC, 19" LCD monitor, and the editing hardware and software.