Are computers a luxury?

I grew up with a lot of computers in our household, so to me, computers are very commonplace. When I was 9 years old, my dad bought our sixth computer, because my baby sister was born, which meant there were 6 people in our household. Currently, my fiance and I each have two computers--one desktop and one laptop. It's very convenient for us to have multiple computers, even though we can't use them all at the same time. Each of the computers we have is particularly good for a specific function, so we can always use the best computer for the job. I think it has definitely become normal for people to have a computer and internet. I know that when some of my friends told me that they didn't have E-mail, a year or two ago, I just stared at them in shock!

I do consider it a luxury. Yes I have one, I have a cell phone, television, etc. All those items I consider luxury items. Anything that is not essential to my every day living is a luxury. So if I can't eat it, drink it, wear it, or live under it, it is a luxury..lol. If I used my computer for work purposes, then I would not consider it a luxury, rather a "must" It is all relevant to your needs. A car may be a luxury to some, but where I live there are not many public transportation options such as taxis or buses, so a car for me to go to work and take my children to school is a must. It's all relative.

Maybe a few years ago, personal computer is really a luxury, it's too expensive and definitely unneccessary. But nowaday, since the internet is very popular and computer is becoming cheaper and cheaper but more and more powerful, I think computer is necessity than luxury, without computer, there should be a lot of inconvenient.

Well for me my pc is not an essential, this is to say i would not die without it. The sort of things i think of as essential are water, food and shelter the things all humans need to survive, THEY are essentials. My pc is a luxury, even though i would be devastated if it was taken away its still classed as a luxury in my book because its not essential to have it, but rather its a very nice luxury to have it.

Computers have come to be more necessity then luxury nowadays. Yes, the cost of leaving your PC on and paying for internet connection is a lot, but there are many out there who actually use it for a living or for their work. It is just the kids who use it for entertainment.

i think that, nowadays, computers are essencial, because you need a pc to do the homework of school, you need to have knowlegment about computers to work on some company. PC's are essencial because for everything you need them

No, HAving a pc isnt a luxuary. PC is so cheap thjese days. Here in india we get PC worth 60$ . Pentium 1 & stuff. So having a PC isnt a luxyary

It is normal not to have a computer. A computer is a necessity. If you do any work at home, if you write, if you communicate, you need a computer. The ones who believe it is a luxury, like my brother, think that computers are only used to play games and fiddle away.

For a person who is a shut in, meaning one who cannot get out of the house easily because of no public transportation, lack of car, and disability, I do not think that a computer is a luxury. I am one of those disabled, and because of disability, I can't walk long distance and there is no functioning public transportation in my area, plus I have no car. I use my computer to do online shopping for things I cannot get in my area, and to make connections with people. As for cost, the upkeep of a computer and Internet access, even high speed, is less costly than maintaining a car. Computers have a much lower carbon footprint than cars, and using them to shop keeps the footprint lower than running around with the car. Buying a computer is getting less expensive each day. If you buy a new 'bare bones' machine and build it (no software, just monitor, computer, keyboard, mouse, hardware, basic speakers) and boot it up with Linux, a free operating system, you are only out $300. Perhaps less if you go with a rebuilt model. Basic surge protector can be had for under $20. Often, it is the software that gets expensive, and some of the fancier models for gaming can get pricey, the difference between a Toyota and a Ferrari. You can't look at a cheap new car for under $5,000. Then there's insurance and such. If computers are luxuries, cars are extravagances! http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=31

It's become a necessity around here. We've got 2 computers in the livingroom hooked up to the internet and 2 spares. We've got 4 or 5 more laying around for parts. I don't know how I'd get along without my computer anymore. I'd feel lost!

You will see computers will be sold like fishes.

If you had asked me this question 10 or 15 years ago, then I would readily say that it is. Today, personal computers are as ubiquitous as the television or telephone. PCs have infiltrated many facets of our personal lives as well as businesses. You may not realise it - the heart of a PC is it's processing capability, which is in the microprocessor chips. Whether you are conscious of it or not, microprocessor chips are also at the heart of automatic washing machines, dishwashers, televisions, ovens, PDAs, digital cameras, DVD players and many other types of equipment you probably use. Whether we work, play or amuse ourselves, it is common for PCs to feature in much of these activities we indulge in. So I wouldn't count having a PC at home a luxury anymore just as I wouldn't consider owning a colour TV at home a luxury.

Well, to get technical everything except food, water, shelter, clothing, and health care is a luxury.. And all of that, down to the very basics.. But yeah I think it's becoming the normal thing to have a computer, I can only think of a few people that I know who don't have a computer right now (and they happen to be roommates)and they go to the library when they need to use one... I think it's becoming more and more of a staple. When you're in school you need to use a computer for a lot of the work. And a lot of jobs require use of a computer.. As technology grows, the amount of necessities increase.

Most people call computers a luxury item, but for people like me it is a thing i can not live without it. I daily need computers for my work, but also at home i need computers for maintaining my websites and lots of other stuff. You can call it luxury, but not for me. :)