Notebook lifetimes

Long time lurker first time thread starter.

I'm in the market for an ASUS so I can retire my 2002 Dell Inspiron 4150 (1.8 Ghz P4M/256 ddr/60GB 5400/16 MB Ati). Now from the start let me say I don't like dell. Though my machine has preformed flawlessly all these years, it has not been the case for a lot of people out there that have serious problems. Bottom line I'm not going to get another to replace this one, it's only an ASUS for me from now on. To stop rambling on though, I am impressed that I've had this machine for 4+ years and could run almost every program and game I wanted to (Age of Empires 3 runs on this underspec rig! - but not to it's full potential obviously).

How long does the average rig last people out there? It seems to me that in this time of transition to dual cores, it's an awesome time to pick up beautiful looking and performing ASUS without core duo (Z63a vs Z62f anyone?). Both will run anything out there today, and probably for the next year at least, but with 64 bit arriving at the end of the year, and duo's becoming the standard, how long do you guys expect the end of line models to last you practically? Everyone's needs are different so it's a bit of an open ended question. But I'd be interested to know why people are buying the last intel chip set vs the duo's
Cheers
Marcel

 

edit: Oops, I was thinking of something else.

As for why Pentium M/Turion instead of Centrino Duo? Because most don't even use their Pentium M/Turion to their full potential, no real reason to get Core Duo's, besides bragging rights.

 

In practical terms, the notebook will last you until it falls apart probably. The entire PC world is not going to adopt 64bit computing overnight.

Buying last year's model with a decent rebate is a great way to save 100 bucks and still have a wonderfully capable machine.

I work for an IT dept that supports several hundred users. We still have a few people using 500mhz Pentium IIIs, and they are still very productive.

 

I think it all depends on what you intend on using it for. I've gone through 2 Desktops in my 4 years of college, and all 3 of my housemates are getting new computers in thier last year as thier old ones kick the bucket. Of course students travel and move about and beat thier laptops up a bit.

I think that hardware is out accelerating the supporting software. Intel had to push back its quad core release because they thought people would get confused. So in terms of how long a rig can last, it will last as long as it can perform the tasks you throw at it. If your still just going to be sending e-mails and typing word documents in 4-5 years its probably better to steer away from the bleeding edge tech.

 

Icelox18:
It seems to me you're right, hardware is further ahead of software than I expected it to be too. With Hyperthreading having been around for a litle while in desktops at least, I'm suprised that more programs don't utlize multi-processor capabilities, let alone require it. I guess this is changing, but cori and postmodern I get what you mean - it's going to be a long while before there is even 50% conversion.

 

DrB,

I am in a similar boat. I am going to replace my early 2003 HP with an ASUS W3j. My computer just fell apart one day (not literally, but it is a pain to use any more), it has trouble running windows, though it didn't used to. I don't think that I will use the full potential of the W3j, but for $100 more I figure it won't hurt to have the added power, cause you never know what your are going to do down the road.

From what I have read in this Forum, getting an ASUS will probably last you as long as you want it to. The machines are so powrful that they won't be useless for a long time, and they are really well built, so there is less concern in that department. Good luck with your decision.

 

Yes, I am waiting for the W3J too quite impatiently just because it is going to be Napa based. I know I am not going to see a difference at all in normal computering but I am just getting it for 1) Probably better Power Management, 2) Benefits in some programs that I use once in a while.

And yes, the X1600 is attractive but I won't be sad if Asus is fitting them with an X600 because it is already too much for me. But X1600 won't hurt