I have purchased my last desktop computer ever. I didn’t realize it at the time I bought it, but the new hardware model seems obvious to me — relative to my business’ objectives.
What I need:
- computing processor power
- a decent human interface (monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.)
- ability to attach gadgets (mp3 player, audio recorder, flip video)
- storage
I can get all of this using a netbook computer and external devices (hard drives, monitor, and keyboard, etc.), for less than ½ the price. And better yet, it uses Windows XP instead of that clunker, Vista.
Granted, I do lose some functionality, but nothing I can’t live without.
The missing piece that I don’t yet have (tomorrow!) is an external DVD drive so that I can (a) install new software and burn DVDs and CDs. And then I can get dedicated netbooks for different business functions for $400 or so a pop. I get redundancy; I get good-enough power, I gain physical space on my desk.
And I don’t have the aggravation – that I have today – of my $1000+ desktop dinosaur going bad on me and needing to be taken into the shop.
Time will tell, but I think this is a good model.
- Bal
