When it comes to computer hardware, what type of person are you?

[Canis Lupus]

When upgrading or buying computers, what type of person are you?

Are you can early adopter, willing to try out new hardware regardless of the steep introductory price or lack of hands-on reviews? Are you someone who waits for hardware reviews to come out before buying? Are you the person who gets the previous version when the new version comes out (i.e. getting a Geforce4 when the GeforceFX came out), or are you content on simply buying hardware when you feel the need to, or maybe a Frankenstein-type person who is happy to just salvage old parts and assemble them?

Rock the vote...

[Outlaw]

I only buy new hardware when I need it, but when I do buy something, I usually read some reviews and end up getting "the previous version" :)

[taco_fox]

It's kind of hard to tell what I am.

I very rarely buy anything top of the line, but some things look really good at times (like the nForce2 Ultra mobos).

I frequently read reviews from different sources regardless if I'm even buying it or not. Then again, if something's at the right price, I'll buy it without a second thought. Yeah, that usually comes back to bite me in the ass.

I sometimes buy hardware that's a generation or two behind the newest model (like my 8500 or 8K3A+) simply because of price. Being an overclocker and a modder, this comes in handy because by the time I buy it, there's plenty of tricks and hacks to get the best performance.

I buy when I feel I can get a little more out of my system.. And I also buy out of necessity like when I break stuff and need a replacement.

And when I do buy new hardware, you gotta do something with the old parts, right? I usually swap out old hardware between computers around the house when I have extra equipment. Then the really old stuff just goes in a box in my room whether it works or not (I'm a pack rat).

I dunno, figure that out. I just chose 'other'.

[Spider]

I buy new hardware on random whims, or when it really needs an upgrade. And by 'needs', I don't mean when I'm at the shop and I see a brand new shiny piece of hardware screaming for me to buy it right now, I mean when mine start to not perform well in new apps and games.

So I voted I only buy new hardware when I feel like it

[Bobaroo]

I will but new hardware when I need, but only after I read reviews and find the best bang for the buck.

[nocode]

i usually read every review i can find on hardware before taking the plunge. there is such an endless sea of information out there these days, almost instantly regarding new hardware, which makes it much easier to know exactly what you will be buying when that time comes.

[ZeRo_MaXwInG]

I voted buying pervious versions. I normally read reviews and get a general reputation on the product before buying.

[Maverick]

Originally posted by Spider
I buy new hardware on random whims, or when it really needs an upgrade. And by 'needs', I don't mean when I'm at the shop and I see a brand new shiny piece of hardware screaming for me to buy it right now, I mean when mine start to not perform well in new apps and games.

So I voted I only buy new hardware when I feel like it

I second that completely :D

[Jdragonelder]

I'm a MINIMALIST. Living on Social Security does that to you!

[rexoverbey]

I usually buy top of the line (like my 9800 Pro). Even if I dind't need to upgrade from my 9700 Pro, or my 9500 pro. I consider myself an early adopter too like with my hdtv , hd satelite receiver, and Kenwood 7.1 Thx surround (while everyone else is just getting dolby 5.1).

[Squonk]

I usually buy when I feel like it, or really need to. Money's a big factor with me at the moment, but usually I'm pretty content with what I have until I can't run certain apps or games. I built my current PC and recycled a lot of old parts two years ago, and I'm just now starting to replace them with newer parts, but I usually go with something just under top-of-the-line.

Squonk.

[EvilCable]

I picked 'other' for various reasons. At home, I both buy new hardware when I need it, and tend to salvage older hardware. At work, I do more new hardware, sometimes it depends on reviews (like our new HP Xw4000 workstations) and the need (Our 'bleeding edge' gigabit switch).

[poolking]

At first I was an early adopter (thats what I voted for), but then over the years I've hadto tighten the purse strings and now I wait for stuff to come down in price.

Hell, I'm still waiting for another price drop of the PS2 here in the UK and look how many years the PS2 has been out.

[pineapple]

What a pity that there is no avaible PS here........
:(

[Proxy_Surfer]

I don't upgrade -at all- but that's only because i am too lazy to upgrade. Usually i wait untill my computer is so severe a piece of crap it must be trashed Office Space style. Then i just buy a new one.

[chaosisreality]

i barely upgrade mine, I scavenge for parts, fix them up, patch together a system and sell it, or give it away to places in some cases..

[Erekose]

...hardware? hell, i've never bought my on computer. i get all of mine secondhand, usually when my father decides to buy a new one, which he does on a whim so i suppose i could say i get whatever strikes his fancy. i chose other

someday i will have to build my own computer.

[BACONHEDDv6.6.6]

I voted "When I feel like it". But it's more like when I need it,-and as soon as I can afford it.I'm a bit of a mix of all the poll choices though.Except "Frankenstein old parts". I needed better/faster video capture,so I bought a better,but used All-in-wonder,as soon as I could afford it,only after checking stats,opinions,and reviews...

I do tend to shy away from buying the newest stuff though,mainly because of high $$$.But-also because I like my buds to test 'em out *first* as guinea pigs,then I can see if it's worth it or not! LOL :D

[laborat]

I combine opportunity, money in my pocket, and whimsy for any new purchases...I am usually behind the curve when it comes to early adopters...I don't have to have something when it comes out...most of the time it turns out to be buggy or sludgy anyways. Reviews have nothing to do with it anymore since all comps are just generic copies of each other. Proprientory stuff aside they all want you to do it their way.
Linux users have no reason to live in a Windows world.

[jet66]

I usually buy new hardware when what I am using is just too far behind to work with whatever new applications I need/want. I read reviews, get first-hand experience opinions, etc. When I do buy, I like to get the newest version. Usually, I can then get the most usage out of it before it becomes necessary to upgrade again.

[Whifflebat]

I build something, like my current computer with upgrading in mind, leaving room for plenty of upgrade possibility in the future (when things go on sale!). For example, someday I can put a 64 bit processor and 3 gigs of ram in it IF i felt that it would be useful. I almost never buy top of the line, unless I can get a good deal (rebate) on it. I also buy out of necessity, for example when my audigy took a dive, i got a turtle beach, on sale of course, about a month later. When my plextor decided to be defective, i went with a lite-on...on sale...of course. Same with half my memory...on sale.

[HongKongKid]

I am somewhere between Hands on Review and early adopter

[Zakir]

I buy hardware when I can afford it or desperetely need it. (remember being a student?)

[Sn0w]

I add parts when i need them eventually like any computer system it gets old.....so 5 years from now i will prolly buy a new one