Sunday, January 12, 2014

Tech decisions

I'm a bit a of a sucker for gadgets and computers as I've probably mentioned on a few occasions previously. I currently rock an ageing Windows 7 desktop PC, a four year old MacBook Pro, recently upgraded with a 256GB SSD, an iPhone 5s and an IPad Mini - and that's before I get to cameras, camcorders, and other shiny gadgets that do all sorts of different things.

My W7 desktop is dying. To be honest I don't use it that much these days, but when I do it crashes with unfailing regularity. Everything might freeze, or I get the dreaded "blue screen of death" (BSOD). I've done all the usual reinstall, virus and malware checks, blown out dust, reseated memory and video cards, but it's on it's way out.

An opportunity has presented itself to invest in a new box, and relatively speaking, money isn't an issue. But I don't really know what to do. Here are my options and current thinking.

1. Do nothing. Put the PC out of its misery and ditch it. Most, and if I'm absolutely honest, all, my computing needs are handled by my iPhone, iPad and MacBook Pro laptop. I don't really "need" another device. No expenditure, save perhaps sticking another 4GB memory into the MBP, but that would be a "nice to" rather than "need to".

2. Buy another Windows desktop. Not overly expensive, updates current kit. But not fussed on Windows 8.

3. Buy a Mac Mini. Not much more expensive than a Windows box. Nice kit, small, unobtrusive, powerful enough, fits with all my other Apple kit.

4. Chuck all logic out of the window (sic) and buy an iMac. Looks beautiful, more than enough power, and Apple consistency again.

Option 1 seems to be the most sensible approach. Why spend money on something, when I can just about do all I need to with my other kit? I keep coming back to the "need" thing. I don't need to, but sometimes life isn't just about need. Sometimes it's about doing something because you can. At the moment though, I'm not sure what it is I want. I'm going to have to ruminate on this a bit.



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