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Spend Now? Or Keep Saving
RacingRed
Posts: 8 Forumite
Hello to everyone :beer: first time poster!
I'm saving for a trip to Oz, nearly there! However i'm trying to work out whether to spend 2 months worth of savings on a laptop.
The cheapest, upgrade laptop with warranty costs 3.5 months savings, eBaying the current one yields 1.5 months savings back.
There is nothing wrong with my current laptop and it meets all of my needs. If it ever broke, i would however have to repair or replace it. A new laptop brings some other conveniences over the warranty too (free's up 1kg for carry on luggage when flying!)
It's over 3 years old now, it's had 2 repairs in its life (both within warranty). However any future out of warranty repairs can be unrealistically priced for this brand.
I am leaning towards do not replace, even though it is out of warranty it may not break for years yet.
Should i spend 2 months money now to potentially save 1 months money in future, or keep and just earmark 3 months money for future spend?
You know, having typed this out, i've just answered my own question. Will post anyway, I may get some useful points to think about! :j
I'm saving for a trip to Oz, nearly there! However i'm trying to work out whether to spend 2 months worth of savings on a laptop.
The cheapest, upgrade laptop with warranty costs 3.5 months savings, eBaying the current one yields 1.5 months savings back.
There is nothing wrong with my current laptop and it meets all of my needs. If it ever broke, i would however have to repair or replace it. A new laptop brings some other conveniences over the warranty too (free's up 1kg for carry on luggage when flying!)
It's over 3 years old now, it's had 2 repairs in its life (both within warranty). However any future out of warranty repairs can be unrealistically priced for this brand.
I am leaning towards do not replace, even though it is out of warranty it may not break for years yet.
Should i spend 2 months money now to potentially save 1 months money in future, or keep and just earmark 3 months money for future spend?
You know, having typed this out, i've just answered my own question. Will post anyway, I may get some useful points to think about! :j
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Comments
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With computers its usually best to delay buying so long as the current one works.
Computers roughly double in power or half in price every two years. Hence the perpetual pcworld sales are not really special offers in any way
That might be different with laptop especially if you need it for work you would be taking a risk.
If you are going to Australia, I personally think its best to save in Australian dollars as their currency has been superior to ours for some time now and also their rates are far higher0 -
If you know exactly what pc you want, why not have your stopover in Singapore or Hong Kong and buy it there?
My guess is it'll be a lot cheaper.0 -
I was thinking that too- if you back up all files on an external hard drive, and then travel with your old one- should something bad happen you may find a new one cheaper?
I know I usually buy mine when I am home in the USA as they are cheaper than here.0 -
Good ideas, I'm glad I posted now. It was all fuelled by a sore shoulder from carrying my bags back from a work trip...!
Saving in AUS sounds interesting. Something for me to follow up.
The idea of buying abroad is interesting too. I have friends in Texas who have previously offered to help me ship things from the states. That would bring the cost down significantly. Just need to look into the warranty implications, if any.
Many thanks!0 -
If your buying an Apple it is ALWAYS much cheaper in the states! Singapore would be same, do research before you go on cheap shops
Sometimes you spend for greater convenience or just wanting something newer it doesnt have to make financial sense otherwise lots of people would not spend any money. Iv just got an IPAD 3 for my commute, didnt "need" it one bit but my Macbook is too bulky to carry around all day.0 -
It's over 3 years old now, it's had 2 repairs in its life (both within warranty). However any future out of warranty repairs can be unrealistically priced for this brand.
What brand is it? I've kept old notebooks (and desktops) running for years using a mixture of new spares and bits off ebay.
The main bits that break are fans, hard drives, keyboards, PSUs and similar. OK, if the motherboard dies, it's probably time to break it up to flog off the bits, but other than that, you just keep trucking.
However, I like shiny new things as much as the next man.
I am not a financial adviser and neither do I play one on television. I might occasionally give bad advice but at least it's free.
Like all religions, the Faith of the Invisible Pink Unicorns is based upon both logic and faith. We have faith that they are pink; we logically know that they are invisible because we can't see them.0 -
Yeah it's Apple. I guess I fit right into the sterotype of an apple consumer now - deliberating on whether to delay a geniunely life enhancing holiday for some techno gadget that I don't even have a real need for right now.
Boo. I once said the words "I'd never buy Apple, it's over priced as I can do everything with Linux anyway".
It is quite nice on this side of the fence though. Everything just works, with no perpetual temptation to fiddle to get some escoteric nicety working, instead of doing real work!
Thanks again everyone, virtual beers all round!0 -
I guess I fit right into the sterotype of an apple consumer now
Yes.
I have nine machines at home running Linux, but much of this is down to a multi-room Mythtv system.Boo. I once said the words "I'd never buy Apple, it's over priced as I can do everything with Linux anyway".
Well, you're certainly not going to be able to afford real ones!Thanks again everyone, virtual beers all round!I am not a financial adviser and neither do I play one on television. I might occasionally give bad advice but at least it's free.
Like all religions, the Faith of the Invisible Pink Unicorns is based upon both logic and faith. We have faith that they are pink; we logically know that they are invisible because we can't see them.0 -
.... Just a thought on your mean Avatar, I'm wondering how you get all those tentacles around the Harley's handlebarssabretoothtigger wrote: »With computers its usually best to delay buying so long as the current one works.
Computers roughly double in power or half in price every two years. Hence the perpetual pcworld sales are not really special offers in any way
That might be different with laptop especially if you need it for work you would be taking a risk.
If you are going to Australia, I personally think its best to save in Australian dollars as their currency has been superior to ours for some time now and also their rates are far higher
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If you are thinking of buying abroard be very careful. A tablet would seem to make sense if it would work for you.0
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