Application of the "why did you even ask me" tax...

[EricKei]

... trying to get me to keep a computer that was only slightly younger than I am chugging along...seriously, I couldn't even find working parts.

We have comps like that in the office. The realization has finally settled in with the boss that he's gonna have to totally replace every comp in the place within the next 6 months to a year. To give you an idea of how old they are: except for the one he got his GF (the office manager) in the past year, none of them even have AGP VIDEO CARD SLOTS...I have been planting seeds lately which will...hopefully...have him leave the new-computer buying process entirely up to me. I can guarantee that he will want to get $300 Dell "refurb specials". >_<

[Dreamstalker]

Don't even get me started about the computers that GameStore had...it was a running joke between myself and CoolManager that one day the OS would realize that it wasn't even supposed to be functioning on that hardware. Almost-daily crashes did nothing to sway the owner (the register database is pooched which means we can't sell stuff, don't you dare scream at us when that happens) ...he never realized that simply keeping that disaster functioning was costing him ten times what it would be to just buy new stuff.

I never understood "the principle of the thing" when it came to keeping antique hardware around. There's only so many times you can replace and patch stuff before it becomes impossible.

There was a time when I was going to suggest to the friend that I could build her one, but I can guarantee I would be expected to support it for free and I do NOT want to deal with that. My parents get free support because...well, they're my parents and reciprocate with food, room and board.

[EricKei]

Don't even get me started about the computers that GameStore had...

That reminds me of our one major tech upgrade at my GameStore...For YEARS, we had this cruddy little shelving...THING...open on both ends (yes, we had major shrink problems due to this...well, that and the fact that NOTHING LOCKED), barely wide enough to fit 3 people shoulder-to-shoulder, where all our new stock was held. We had dial-up *shudder*. FINALLY, they got us a proper, brand-new cash wrap setup, complete with new comps and DSL *gasp*.

The thing is this...

We got all this in early August 2005. Take a look at my location tag and do the math.

In the end, HAZMAT guys had to toast the store walls and any bits we had left over. We had to get all new stuff again when we re-opened...just in time for the 360 hardware launch. *weep*

[Dreamstalker]

For YEARS, we had this cruddy little shelving...THING...open on both ends (yes, we had major shrink problems due to this...well, that and the fact that NOTHING LOCKED)

That's what our reg area was like. Way too easy for someone to wander back there or just reach over the counter if I was in the bathroom or helping someone else. The keyboard was also within customer reach...a few times when I was working on a complicated database project (that's another rant, why didn't we have one PC for the register and one for non-sales work?) some knob would hit a key to "get your attention, haha" and invariably screw up whatever I was in the middle of.

If we needed to run a CC through, the phone had to be disconnected from the wall jack (the owner didn't want to hear about a little device called a splitter). Far as I know that was never fixed.

And that was only the computer problems...

[Dreamstalker]

It's official, she's dropping $1700 minimum on an Apple laptop (this is a person who has no real use for a laptop and TBH should not be learning a new system). I could build her more computer than she could ever use for half that if not less.

Cue the "zomg everything's different and nothing works!!!" calls in 3...2...1...

[Andara Bledin]

You poor, poor thing...

Of course, you can try to stonewall her with the, "I'm sorry but I can't help you with anything Mac related," and try to wash your hands of it.

Yeah, like that'll work.

^-.-^

[Elspeth]

I wonder if she is related to my in-laws. Because that is what they do every single time. Ask our opinions and buy something completely different and then bitch about it not working. Plus my father-in-law is very hard on equipment.

We have gotten to the point that we ignore their calls, since they only call with problems or guilt

Good Luck.

[Broomjockey]

It's official, she's dropping $1700 minimum on an Apple laptop (this is a person who has no real use for a laptop and TBH should not be learning a new system). I could build her more computer than she could ever use for half that if not less.

Ugh. I could build a Core i7 desktop for less than that. I should know. I'm pricing one

[Hyndis]

Ugh. I could build a Core i7 desktop for less than that. I should know. I'm pricing one

The most recent machine I built, which was almost 2 years ago and still performs very well even on modern games, like Fallout 3, cost me $500 to build.

It is starting to show its age, sure, but I figure it'll hold up for at least another year before I start considering another upgrade.

[Andara Bledin]

The most recent machine I built, which was almost 2 years ago and still performs very well even on modern games, like Fallout 3, cost me $500 to build.

Does that include the monitor? You have to figure that into the equation, and I doubt $500 includes a decent monitor.

^-.-^

[Dreamstalker]

The gaming rig I built specifically for Ghostbusters was about $500 (reusing a few parts and smart shopping on the rest). The graphics card was the most expensive (PCIe, and I'm now being told that the card I got is at the lowest end of being able to handle the game).

I think her main rationale was "Macs don't get viruses"...that alone is usually not a great reason to get a whole new platform (do you even know what a virus is?). She's a heavy smoker and her home office has fairly poor ventilation, so any hardware she buys will have its lifespan cut into considerably (moreso if it's not possible to crack the case and clean things once in awhile).

[Arm]

aaaaaaaargh....

If that's why she got it, you know she's going to get one of the few Mac viruses out there, because she'll trust the architecture rather than developing good habits.

Tangentially, does anyone else feel like the "Macs Are Virus Free" marketing shtick is really just saying, "Get a Mac for your porn"?

[Nohbody]

Tangentially, does anyone else feel like the "Macs Are Virus Free" marketing shtick is really just saying, "Get a Mac for your porn"?

Well, they are graphically oriented...

From my Inner Asshole: What else are you going to use them for?

[EricKei]

From my Inner Asshole: What else are you going to use them for?

Well, they're really good for graphics production, so you could use it as a place to draw and edit your pron, put together porn movies, catalog your porn collection and make it all look really nice...

[Broomjockey]

a place to draw and edit your pron, put together porn movies, catalog your porn collection and make it all look really nice...

If you're putting THAT much effort in to your porn, you may have a problem.