When you're buying a used car, you don't just check to see how old the car is and then hand over the Blue Book value. High on the list of things to check is the mileage. If a car's only a couple years old, but has been driven across the country and back dozens of times, you might not expect it to last that much longer.
Unfortunately, when you're in the market for a new computer, there's no way to tell how hard the machine has been driven. It could have been owned by some grandmother who only drove it to AOL.com once a week. Or it could have been an over-clocked gaming PC that only powered down for reboots.
This uncertainty contributes to slow used PC sales. If there's no way to tell whether a hard drive is gonna crash in the next few months, there's no reason to invest in used equipment. The result is a lot of good computers never finding second homes...aside from in the landfill.
But researchers at the University of Limerick in Ireland are hoping to change that. By logging data that is already being taken by computers on internal temperatures and hard drive faults, they're hoping to create a kind of score. This score would be a fairly accurate representation of the possibility of failure for the machine.
It seems like an excellent solution to me...though all of my machines would likely have unfortunately high "mileages." But the question remains...will there ever be a viable after market for computers? Would having a better idea of the state of a used machine increase your chances of buying used? I'd love to hear people's opinions in the comments.
Via New Scientist
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written by Samuel Woods, March 24, 2008
When you say "only powered down for reboots" you are actually misrepresenting things, frequent power cycles will if anything wear down a computer's hardware more rapidly than if you were to keep it on constantly. Of course the difference is negligible for the most part and its decidedly less eco-friendly.
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written by mark, March 24, 2008
Computers don't wear linearly like a car does. They don't get progressively more oil leaks, they don't require more and more repairs as all the new parts become old parts. Computer parts also generally can't be repaired. A whole part is replaced. There is no way of knowing how much life is in an old machine, but my understanding is it has little to do with how much the part was used. Usage might affect parts like hard drives (with moving parts), but video cards, motherboards etc don't have an expiration date, or an expiration mileage.
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written by DLDzioba, March 24, 2008
I would definitely buy used. As a broke collage kid looking for a laptop I'm going inside saving money to buy a knew one BECAUSE I can't tell if the one I buy used will die next week. And I'm not asking much from computers. I want one internet connection and a good word processor. Keep us updated on this, please.
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written by Steve2, March 24, 2008
Yes, maybe starting from this point in time on.
Usually nobody wants a used computer, because you need the newest hardware to do the coolest stuff. However, it seems as if hardware has reached a point where you aren't going to get that much more capability out of a system, unless you are a gaming freak.
If you are just interested in the web, word processing and maybe watching a movie a lot of used boxes will do that.
My box is 5 years old and I don't feel like I am missing anything by continuing to use it. That never would have happened in the past.
Usually nobody wants a used computer, because you need the newest hardware to do the coolest stuff. However, it seems as if hardware has reached a point where you aren't going to get that much more capability out of a system, unless you are a gaming freak.
If you are just interested in the web, word processing and maybe watching a movie a lot of used boxes will do that.
My box is 5 years old and I don't feel like I am missing anything by continuing to use it. That never would have happened in the past.
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written by Carl Foner, March 24, 2008
I have to disagree about used computer sales. There is a thriving used market. Ebay, Craigslist, and garage sales all are doing plenty of business. There are a number of retailers who deal specifically in used equipment. And don't forget about refurbished computers, which are really used computers as well.
It would be great if there were a way of measuring what shape a computer is in. However, given how often many PC owners (or repair shops) swap parts in and out, the readings that were mentioned could be misleading. The hard drive that had many faults can be replaced. The motherboard and CPU that were causing the high temperatures can be replaced, air flow can be adjusted, or a new fan can be installed.
The other problem is, you need to account for the quality of components. Some hard drives are made to withstand a lot of wear and tear, while others are not. Some components are cheaply made and could break right out of the box, while others might withstand a lifetime of use and abuse.
I do think we need to do better at reusing and recycling computers, but I don't know if characterizing the market as slow is entirely fair.
It would be great if there were a way of measuring what shape a computer is in. However, given how often many PC owners (or repair shops) swap parts in and out, the readings that were mentioned could be misleading. The hard drive that had many faults can be replaced. The motherboard and CPU that were causing the high temperatures can be replaced, air flow can be adjusted, or a new fan can be installed.
The other problem is, you need to account for the quality of components. Some hard drives are made to withstand a lot of wear and tear, while others are not. Some components are cheaply made and could break right out of the box, while others might withstand a lifetime of use and abuse.
I do think we need to do better at reusing and recycling computers, but I don't know if characterizing the market as slow is entirely fair.
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written by disdaniel, March 24, 2008
1) I don't believe that computers fail from overuse.
2) Computers stop being used when they become obsolete, or it takes too long to do simple things.
How many people would junk a 3 month old computer whose hard drive crashed? I think not many.
How many people would replace a hard drive on a three year old computer? I think even fewer.
2) Computers stop being used when they become obsolete, or it takes too long to do simple things.
How many people would junk a 3 month old computer whose hard drive crashed? I think not many.
How many people would replace a hard drive on a three year old computer? I think even fewer.
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written by cherick, March 24, 2008
All computers should be registered with the government. A small annual fee can be paid for re-registration and at the same time the citizen's hard drive can be scanned for illegal content.
A public record of hours logged can be used to determine the second hand value of the system.
A public record of hours logged can be used to determine the second hand value of the system.
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written by rob, March 24, 2008
With desktop computers (laptops are a different kettle of fish), it doesn't matter that much how much work the computer has done, as replacing parts is easy and fairly cheap if you don't go for top spec parts.
Most computers made in the last few years are more than capable of performing well for surfing and work.
A high powered computer is only needed if you are a gamer, or have specific needs such as video editing, or have purchased Vista!!!
Most computers made in the last few years are more than capable of performing well for surfing and work.
A high powered computer is only needed if you are a gamer, or have specific needs such as video editing, or have purchased Vista!!!
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written by rob, March 24, 2008
"How many people would replace a hard drive on a three year old computer? I think even fewer."
Lots of people that I know, you have obviously got too much money, lol
With desktop computers (laptops are a different kettle of fish), it doesn't matter that much how much work the computer has done, as replacing parts is easy and fairly cheap if you don't go for top spec parts.
Most computers made in the last few years are more than capable of performing well for surfing and work.
A high powered computer is only needed if you are a gamer, or have specific needs such as video editing, or have purchased Vista!!!
Lots of people that I know, you have obviously got too much money, lol
With desktop computers (laptops are a different kettle of fish), it doesn't matter that much how much work the computer has done, as replacing parts is easy and fairly cheap if you don't go for top spec parts.
Most computers made in the last few years are more than capable of performing well for surfing and work.
A high powered computer is only needed if you are a gamer, or have specific needs such as video editing, or have purchased Vista!!!
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written by Joshua Brotman, March 26, 2008
Tt is worth it to note that electronic components generally are regarded as being immune to increased usage. However, there lies a variety of different technologies which exist inside a PC, and each PC varies.
Hard Drives are known to fail depending on usage more than any other component (google has proved this http://www.engadget.com/2007/0...ing-thing/)
Power Supplies can blow caps with increased usage depending on brand and quality.
The more dust collected on the heat sink, the greater chance of over heating.
The older it is, the greater chance of knocking, liquid spills, etc.
All those (spills, over heating, etc...) can reduce the PC's ability to function. Small problems might arise, or the entire PC may fail altogether. Failure is not a cut and dry distinction: one of many things can go wrong noticable or not.
In conclusion If I were given a choice between two identical PCs, one being used far less frequently than the other, I would definitely chose the less used one.
If buying an old PC of unknown usage I would examine the hard drive health(using software tools), dust content, Powersupply manufacturer and from there would have a very good score of which to analyze the PC. Of course that owuld be overlooking many other subtle aspects, but it is sufficient for me.
Hard Drives are known to fail depending on usage more than any other component (google has proved this http://www.engadget.com/2007/0...ing-thing/)
Power Supplies can blow caps with increased usage depending on brand and quality.
The more dust collected on the heat sink, the greater chance of over heating.
The older it is, the greater chance of knocking, liquid spills, etc.
All those (spills, over heating, etc...) can reduce the PC's ability to function. Small problems might arise, or the entire PC may fail altogether. Failure is not a cut and dry distinction: one of many things can go wrong noticable or not.
In conclusion If I were given a choice between two identical PCs, one being used far less frequently than the other, I would definitely chose the less used one.
If buying an old PC of unknown usage I would examine the hard drive health(using software tools), dust content, Powersupply manufacturer and from there would have a very good score of which to analyze the PC. Of course that owuld be overlooking many other subtle aspects, but it is sufficient for me.
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written by kym, March 26, 2008
I don't know how it is elsewhere in the world but here in SA when a computer grows old and slow then the entire set up is replaced with an entire new set up (with screen, keyboard and mouse in majority of cases). If computer manufacturers encouraged every computer owner to upgrade just a hard drive or add RAM the illogical practice of throwing out an entire computer would be avoided.
Do we get a new car when we need to replace the battery or the air filter? Why do we do this with computers?
I still have my original box from 8 or so years ago but with a new hard drive and added RAM and a new graphics card for design programs. This was a far more energy efficient (& cost effective) way to upgrade my computer rather than replace the entire set up.
With technology chanign so fast and with software requiring more and more CPU power it is for me an unfortuante necessity that I need to keep my computer fast. So as far as a second hand computer is concerned, I would't buy one. I upgrade my own - part by part whenever necessary.
Do we get a new car when we need to replace the battery or the air filter? Why do we do this with computers?
I still have my original box from 8 or so years ago but with a new hard drive and added RAM and a new graphics card for design programs. This was a far more energy efficient (& cost effective) way to upgrade my computer rather than replace the entire set up.
With technology chanign so fast and with software requiring more and more CPU power it is for me an unfortuante necessity that I need to keep my computer fast. So as far as a second hand computer is concerned, I would't buy one. I upgrade my own - part by part whenever necessary.
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written by weee, March 26, 2008
have the biggest impact on computer replacement.
How many people have tried to give away a 3 year old computer that works perfectly well - and probably will for another 5 years - with no success?
Fortunately for the planet Vista is a flop and so older computers will continue doing just fine for the moment.
There's very little a computer with a Pentium 4 and Win XP cannot do; unless you're into gaming or video editing.
How many people have tried to give away a 3 year old computer that works perfectly well - and probably will for another 5 years - with no success?
Fortunately for the planet Vista is a flop and so older computers will continue doing just fine for the moment.
There's very little a computer with a Pentium 4 and Win XP cannot do; unless you're into gaming or video editing.
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written by Mike, April 15, 2008
I have a used machine and I'd like to upgrade the RAM, but it is an older machine and uses DDR not the newer DDR2 RAM. This is much more expensive now, but the cost of a new motherboard to make use of the new RAM, would also mean a new cpu is needed which makes extra cost for the older RAM more attractive. I have an XO laptop for my daughter and was looking at a Koolu to replace the desktop. At what point is in better to recycle the old machine and replace it with a more efficient model? The older machine is paid for and the energy has been used for it's manufacture, but it has a higher operating cost.
I have several old machines (pre '95) that I still play with and encourage others to use refurbs when they ask what to get. But with some of the newer low cost, high efficiency machines I'm now wondering.
I have several old machines (pre '95) that I still play with and encourage others to use refurbs when they ask what to get. But with some of the newer low cost, high efficiency machines I'm now wondering.
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written by Uncle B, April 28, 2008
My computer slowed down o much I thought I was going to have to get a new computer, then circumstances, (I retired, lost licensing privileges with Microsoft and my employer), forced me to switch to Ubuntu, the free operating system on the web. Once Ubuntu was installed the computer burst into a new high speed life and has been fast and trouble free ever since (two years ).
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