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Rainmaker
4,581,210
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Planned obsolescence.   Now is it the computer or me? Well, like most questions it depends. 

Jan 16, 2019 07:43 AM
Ambassador
6,414,578
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Both, when they slow down I buy a new primary, and still use the old one for a while either for myself or pass on to others in the office.

Jan 16, 2019 08:01 AM
Ambassador
2,187,241
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I try to replace it before it dies.  Sometimes I do a couple of Factory resets before the inevitable replacement. Dying always happens at the most inconvenient times.

Jan 16, 2019 07:58 AM
Ambassador
2,069,936
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I'm a Mac guy, and Macs are expensive.  So I do everything I can to keep the old one going... but when it proves impossible to do that (which tends to be about 5 years)... I buy the latest-greatest.

Jan 16, 2019 07:34 AM
Rainmaker
5,111,160
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I've hung in there and I've traded in when the old one becomes too cumbersome. I've found it much better to replace in advance and not when it's a screaming emergency.

Jan 16, 2019 08:56 AM
Rainmaker
632,635
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Depends , I have had them die on me and when the computer frustrates me to a certain limit then I know it is time for a new one.

Jan 16, 2019 08:18 AM
Rainmaker
2,221,377
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I hang on to it until I can't get any more out of it.

Jan 16, 2019 07:52 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,328
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I just upgraded mine with windows 10 and it's good for another 5 years!!

Jan 16, 2019 07:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,201,052
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

I tend to hang on to them until I get tired of them or they are no longer functional

Jan 16, 2019 12:26 PM
Rainmaker
1,055,922
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I get a new one before the old one dies, move everything over gradually, extract/stash the hard drives (except for one PC from 2001 I needed for an astrology program that I just UG for W10 and it will be gutted & going to the electronics dump soon.)

RIP dolling. 🙏

Jan 16, 2019 12:21 PM
Rainmaker
1,298,797
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Generally as long as it is working I keep using it, when the keys stop working I know it is time to change.

Jan 16, 2019 12:19 PM
Ambassador
5,252,729
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

If I have a sign of slowing down or an issue that is going to slow me down, I will buy a new one and pass mine to someone else. I don't have time to deal with any issues or slow-downs!

Jan 16, 2019 09:56 AM
Rainer
376,387
Libby Cousins
Extraordinary Processing - Spokane, WA
Contract Mortgage Processor, licensed in WA

I fall somewhere in the middle. I hang on longer than I should but tend to switch computers before my old one completely dies. I hate switching due to the amount of time it takes and that I am not really a techie, but I always appreciate how nicely and how much faster my new computer is and find myself wondering why I took so long to do it. 

Jan 16, 2019 09:28 AM
Ambassador
3,349,079
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Replace as needed, as necessary.  

Jan 16, 2019 09:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,249,963
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

When computers slow down I go nuts. No patience for that! Remedies have never worked for me - I have to buy a new one.

Jan 16, 2019 09:02 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Whether I need to or not, It's a new puter every 15 years. 

However, a top-o-the-line, at its time, less than 5 years old should benefit from shaking out the junk. Slow downs occur when things like the online video edit suite starts tagging all hard drive images. Unfortunately, some stuff is so well embedded, abandonment is the easiest solution.

And of course we all know that Chinese made electronics has an embedded surprise we know nothing about at this time. What's a person to do?

I do know if one waits until their prime croaks, it's not going to be a good day.

Jan 16, 2019 09:02 AM
Rainmaker
519,324
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

I used to upgrade more frequently, but the updates aren't as dramatic as they used to be.  I'm not sure how old my current desktop is, but it's doing great. No need for now.  My laptop is a couple years old and just fine.  In fact, I use an iPad 2 for showings that's at least 5 years old. 

Jan 16, 2019 03:43 PM
Ambassador
3,589,566
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

When it's time to call it quits I don't hang on until it dies.  Order a new one asap!

Jan 16, 2019 02:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,505,713
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I have almost every computer I've ever owned.  Wish I still had my 386, I have a few games that only run on it.

Jan 16, 2019 02:20 PM
Rainmaker
715,457
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

I have had my computer for 6 years - and it is still going. I keep thinking it will go soon, but hanging on as long as possible.

Jan 16, 2019 02:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,092,747
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

I have two laptops so if one goes I have a backup. When they get to a certain age and start doing funny things, I start pricing replacements and buy a new one.

Jan 16, 2019 01:14 PM
Rainmaker
1,846,701
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

When the hard drive gets 1/2 full. Better start shopping or up the RAM. 

Jan 16, 2019 12:54 PM
Rainer
382,309
Sally Lawrence
Advantage Real Estate - Tehachapi, CA
Broker, CHS, e-Pro, SFR, REALTOR®

I'm a Mac user since 2013.  I have always bought the most ram and biggest hard drive plus fastest processor whether buying Mac or PC.  

Yes, Mac is more expensive than PC up front, but they work a ton better and come with most apps most people need included.  PCs don't.

My philosophy is this is a tool, and I like my tools to work well.  Plus it's a deductible business expense.

My 2¢

Jan 16, 2019 10:40 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

I think it depends what slowing down means.  Our traveling laptop moves faster than our desktop...A

Jan 16, 2019 10:27 AM
Rainmaker
7,861,183
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

We update our computers when needed. 

Jan 16, 2019 08:41 AM
Rainmaker
970,983
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

My time frame is 3 years. Then time to change. 

Jan 16, 2019 05:31 PM
Rainmaker
1,241,629
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

My next is Surface Pro waiting for price to drop. Whatever you have in mind skip Huawei it will steal all data.....

Jan 16, 2019 04:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,322,009
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

My computer is several years old. Probably time to get a replacement and retire the current one. 

Jan 16, 2019 04:42 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Usually when it slows or memory gets full, but my last one just went dark. 

Jan 16, 2019 04:32 PM
Rainmaker
5,236,839
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

I try to replace it before it dies, but only shortly before!

Jan 16, 2019 02:59 PM
Rainmaker
2,784,266
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Use to hang-on now I make a move

Jan 16, 2019 01:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,776
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

If you mean dies then yes. The trouble with Macs is that they are hard to kill.

Jan 16, 2019 01:02 PM
Rainmaker
74,695
Ricardo Mello
Manhattan Miami Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
Manhattan & Miami Real Estate Agent

If you own a Macbook you probably will have that machine for many years Peter.

Jan 16, 2019 12:55 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

New one.

Jan 21, 2019 07:34 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Great answers are here.

Jan 21, 2019 07:12 PM
Rainmaker
5,876,468
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

If a computer starts acting weird, I go get another.  Cannot be without one for the biz.

Jan 20, 2019 07:17 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,308
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Dpends on which happens first

Jan 18, 2019 07:59 PM
Rainmaker
4,958,093
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

My Desktop is 9 years old and do for a new one.

 Fresh.

 

Jan 18, 2019 07:23 AM
Ambassador
5,848,671
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Larry hates seeing the dump grow and grow with everything that we throw away. He knows how to work on our Lenovo's and we tend to keep them until we can no longer work with them. 

Jan 17, 2019 11:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,727,956
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I build my computers and upgrade components as necessary as I have a monster system that has serviced my needs for over 8 years now

Jan 17, 2019 10:18 AM
Rainmaker
471,491
Realtyna Inc
Realtyna - Newark, DE
WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM

I held on to my old MacBook for about 8 years... took it with me through all of High School as well as all of University. Used it probably 3 or 4 years too long, but it served me well enough. :) Now I have a new MacBook air and hoping it will give me another 5 or so years of life. 

Jan 17, 2019 07:45 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,132
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I will try to repair it if it slows down and if unable, get a new one.

Jan 17, 2019 06:29 AM
Rainmaker
852,762
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Funny you should ask...  the new one arrived yesterday and sits in a box while I continue to deal with this slow one.

Jan 17, 2019 04:48 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,177
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

No.

Jan 17, 2019 03:21 AM