Why did you get your first (or your current) PC?
@owlwings (43910)
Cambridge, England
June 20, 2008 2:59pm CST
Computers are expensive and quite a large chunk out of anybody's budget. How did you justify spending several hundred dollars (or the equivalent in your currency) on a computer? What were your main reasons at the time? (You may have different reasons now for keeping it, of course, and I'd love to know how those have changed!)
A few lucky people had their computer given to them (or passed on from family or friends). Most of us had to pay for it ... or maybe their partner did.
I suppose that, if you are here to answer my question, you must be paying for your Internet connection somehow. That's another expense that you had to have some reason to justify.
Entertainment (of some kind) is quite a valid reason for spending money, so you needn't be ashamed of that! We buy all kinds of games and puzzles, books, CDs, DVDs, TVs, game machines, radios, MP3 players, visits to clubs and pubs and the movies ... all in the name of entertainment. Your PC may be a part of that scenario, and justifiably so!
Many people here like to try to make money from the Internet but for how many was that the first or main reason for buying a PC?
Come on! No need to be shy here! Let me tell you my foibles 
I bought my first PC before there was any chance of an Internet and because I was just fascinated by the technology. Then I worked for a firm that did (telephone) support for the software they sold and so got hooked on Bulletin Boards (the equivalent of forums today). Then the Internet with web pages and search engines came along and I finally had to be able to tap into that (on dial-up to start with) and discovered Instant Messaging, social forums and so on ... the list goes on until ... well, here we are! Of course, on the way I had to have a PC in order to bring work home and so on. We do find justification when it's appropriate!
[b]
So, what is your story ... and do you think that your PC can actually pay for itself (or maybe you think it doesn't need to!)?[/b]
I bought my first PC before there was any chance of an Internet and because I was just fascinated by the technology. Then I worked for a firm that did (telephone) support for the software they sold and so got hooked on Bulletin Boards (the equivalent of forums today). Then the Internet with web pages and search engines came along and I finally had to be able to tap into that (on dial-up to start with) and discovered Instant Messaging, social forums and so on ... the list goes on until ... well, here we are! Of course, on the way I had to have a PC in order to bring work home and so on. We do find justification when it's appropriate!
[b]
So, what is your story ... and do you think that your PC can actually pay for itself (or maybe you think it doesn't need to!)?[/b]6 people like this
22 responses
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
20 Jun 08
I am not sure that I did justify my latest computer at all. I was struggling with my old pc which had memory conflicts, spyware, the occasional virus scare and was so slow that the average snail is a Formula 1 car by comparison. My daughter had her 18th birthday coming up and she wanted a cartoon style invitation designed. Casually perusing Mr Smith's wondrous display of computer magazines one day I came across exactly what we wanted. The only problem was that it was software only available for an Apple computer. In fact it came standard with all new desktop Apples. I bought the magazine and carefully read it through. The whole thing was dedicated to Apples. Not only did it appear to have this piece if software, but everything else that I could want less MS Office. But you could buy that for it. Because it didn't run Windows, although the latest models will if you have a copy of XP or Vista, the machine was not susceptible to viruses and, in Apple's words "Just Works". Not only that, but the whole thing is wrapped up in one 1.5 inch thick screen with no towers, trailing wires etc. I bought the largest one that I could, an iMac 24" and have never looked back. My father was so impressed that my parents bought our daughter an Apple laptop for her birthday and he bought himself an Apple too. I can think of no reason to return to a PC. It was expensive, about £1,400, but that included MS Office and a couple of other peripherals. I can only recommend Apple. I have yet to have a bad experience with it. Fingers crossed.
2 people like this
@nannacroc (4049)
•
21 Jun 08
My brother lent us the money to buy our first computer, a ZX81 and we've had a computer or a console of some sort ever since.
I don't really mind if my computer and internet pays for itself or not because it is a great source of entertainment and information and a way of connecting with people I would never have met otherwise.
@pumpkinjam (8767)
• United Kingdom
21 Jun 08
My other half bought our PC. He pretended he wanted it for work. Well, he does use it for work once in a blue moon! He's just completed a NVQ2 in social care so the PC and internet has been helpful to him. We actually only spent £30 on the PC itself (that was for the hard drive and monitor and whatnot) because it was second hand from a friend of his. We have upgraded a few of the bits but we have probably still spent less than if we had bought a brand new PC. I've just discovered another fantastic site where I can earn money for listening to and rating new music and artists. I found it via another member of myLot. The site is called slicethepie. I am especially pleased as I have just found a really fantastic artist on there who is so different. His name, if you're wondering, is Tim Corley. www.myspace/timcorley http://www.slicethepie.com/Music/ViewArtistProfile.aspx?id=8006&tid=21329&tidx=2 is his profile ID on slicethepie.
(No I don't know him personally, I just think that he is fantastic. I decided that in the past 5 or 10 minutes listening to his stuff which isn't all "samey" or anything which I like!
@sylvia13 (1850)
• Nelson Bay, Australia
21 Jun 08
Computers always fascinated me and I bought my first one many years ago. I was so broke afterwards that I couldn't even afford to get some paper for the printer! Things have changed much since then, but I think it was the computer which changed my life for the better!
1 person likes this
@coolmailraj (2460)
• India
20 Jun 08
Hi.
I am a information technology student and that very much says why I opted for a computer for equivalent amount off my pocket.
Not only it helps in my field but it is a great entertainment center for me.I play games, watch movies and do a lot of other stuff on it.
Talking about the internet, the best thing about internet is that the best things out there are free, I chat with my pals, download movies, games, music, video, I make call to people using "skype", watch TV shows using "joost"and all this for just the cost of internet connection, now that a great deal.
@ycpgoldberg (807)
• Malaysia
20 Jun 08
My family first computer was given by my aunt, my father's sister.
At the time we never thought that we will have computer in our house,
as computer is very expensive compared to our living condition at the time,
and I can only use computer at school in class.
Now,
I have this computer (also family computer, but mostly use by me) by paying around $1000 per month.
What make me dissatisfied is the OS that running on this computer,
and the worse internet connection, which is from government controlled monopoly broadband.
1 person likes this
@maryrajam1962 (257)
• Malaysia
21 Jun 08
I purchased my computer 7 years ago through withdrawal from my Employee Provdent Funds account. At that time Malaysian governemnt allowed withdrawals for PC purchase. I spend $3000 and it came with a printer. I was taking up diploma course for PC Specialist and it was essential for me to have my own PC. I have my diploma now and it helps me alot by saving money on computer repairs. Eventually what I make onnline will pay for the PC. We do hsve a slow internet connection here due to government controlled monopoly boradband and I hope eventually the ISP will improve their services.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Jun 08
Well, it has been like almost 9 yrs. since we got our first Computer. It was a used 386 and it got online and got Email, but did not really suit all of my needs, so I ended up buying a Brand New one about 6 months later, and have updated 3 times since then. I have the Computer I am on now, and then we have my laptop that is only used when I am out running about, or we go out of town somewhere. Since it has Vista on it, etc. I prefer this one since it has XP.
The main reason I ever got a Computer in the first place, is I got tired of having to go to the Library to look up things, and check Email. For me, it was a necessity, and this is way before I ever learned how to make extra $$ online as well. Now, I could never imagine being without a computer and being online.
@amitavroy (4819)
• India
20 Jun 08
when i got my first computer i was not much aware about it and so to learn it i was sure to get one cause that it most important thing to d when u want to learn something and that is why i bougth a new computer that time
@julietscreations (205)
• Philippines
20 Jun 08
We bought our first pc more than a decade ago and during that time, internet connection service is not being offered yet here in the Philippines. I am using pc at work and learned some programs, games and other important use of PC. We consider it as one important appliance that we must acquire, just like TVs, DVDs and Aircon. My eldest daughter then was in her pre school, so we think it would help her a lot because there a so many interactive programs that is very helpful to child's learning. after a year, I heard an ISP launched a promotion but I didnt avail the service right away, I still waited for almost 2 years before we consider adding another bill. As the years passed, I learned graphics and web design and so we open a computer shop and offered typing, design and printing services. So now, I dont regret buying my first pc because it opens a venue for another earning opportunity for our family.
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
20 Jun 08
Hi owlwings...I was fortunate enough to have my first laptop when my fiance (now husband) gave it to me as my Christmas gift...It helps me a lot in my work and other online research...I know that time, I can't afford to have it cash since I have different priorities!
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
20 Jun 08
My very first computer was given to me and it was so old that it had no hard drive, only a disk drive with a boot disk, which is when I taught myself to play around with DOS. After that I went to college and needed a computer because I was taking programming classes and needed to be able to work on projects from home so I bought one which cost me about $1,600...for a basic system with a modem. When I think back and remember how slow that thing was, especially on the internet...I'd have to shoot it today.
@thaMARKER (2503)
• Philippines
21 Jun 08
I had my desktop when I was on my way to college. I was taking up Computer Science and sure thing it's a computer course. I really have to have a computer on my own for me to practice when I'm home. So they bought me one. It is very old now. hehehe..
1 person likes this
@Matt_85max (236)
• India
26 Jun 08
I bought my firsst PC 3yrs ago. I needed it for completing my college projects plus having internet also helped me a great deal. Wasnt much into video gaming but after the PC came in i enjoyed a lot of PC games.
@dorypanda (1601)
•
23 Jun 08
I did actually buy a laptop a couple of years ago, the reason for this is because Mr.Panda wanted to play games on his computer (he had a computer before I met him I think). I wanted to use the internet and try to earn money from survey sites etc. So, that's why I bought the laptop, I've now given the laptop away as it didn't serve its purpose any more.
Mr.Panda made me a computer from bits of old computers that other people had so it didn't actully cost us anything, oh, well, I think I did pay for the mouse but £7.99 for an entire computer with loads of memory and a brilliant graphics card is worth paying!
I usually use the computer to go on the internet, I don't think out internet connection costs us much, it's part of a package, TV, internet and telephone all in one. I do like to use the internet to try and earn money mostly.
My son uses the internet quite a bit for help with his homework too, I only wish we'd have had it available when I was at school.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
25 Jun 08
I was aware of computers and the fact of their amazing capabilities back in 1992 while working in a bookshop that made the move to putting the cash registers online. The bookstore was part of a huge national company with a Head Office in Melbourne. Each day, the info re sales would be sent down the lines, overnight, to be recorded. Prior to this it was collected daily on paper and picked up by courier.
As time passed, more and more of the running of the stores was done using an everchanging upgrade to the original programme. When I left this company to go and work for people in there own large bookstore they also were beginning to use a computer programme to keep track of everything. At this time, I was the store mnager. Staff I had hired were smart young uni students who were quite au fait with the intricacies of computers, so they were left to set the store up while I was left the running of the store. I felt quie left out because I didn't have a broad enough knowledge base and certainly, little skill or confidence in the use of computers.
Life changed and once again I found myself working in a huge National store where a new computer programme was being rolled out and we all had to go for two days of intensive training. I was in heaven. At the same time, the company I worked for had a union delegate regularly calling in and we were encouraged to join. They had a scheme where we could buy a computer for the going price, pay it off over 3 years and the loan would cost about $160 dollars. Less than $10 a week in repayments....sign me up!!!
So there you have it. It was the year 2000, and I felt that I was being left behind in the era of personal computer use. I'm self taught and proud of my accomplishments but I know how to do so very little. I love learning and I get to discover at least one thing I didn't know, every single day. That's bliss.
@moneymint18 (481)
• India
23 Jun 08
I could remember very well when i brought my first computer i was in first year of my engineering .I have been told to practice some programming for that i wanted computer where i can write some programs and run at home.I took my first computer of AMD processor and still i am using it.Now i have taken a laptop also but still i am using my pc.
@Jizzo_x (42)
•
23 Jun 08
i remeber when my dad first bought a computer, the main reason he bought one was because he was curious, i was only little at this time and i can remeber playing on it and i thought it was amazing, when we first got dial-up it was like a special treat if i was aloud to go on the internet and thinking back now i dont think id be able to deal with that sort of speed of interent. ever since then me and my dad now no a hell of a lot more about computers, there part of our every day lifes and to be honest i love my laptop.
currently in the house we have a main desktop/server, 3 laptops and 4 other desktops, this isnt because were rich or anything this is purly for the fact that me and my dad enjoy building up old computers and selling them on, or setting up a new computer and running it with a different operating software and using it for something else. we are currently in the process of doing this to a old desktop.
in a way i think a pc can pay for itself, not really by using mylot or something like that but by all the uses it has and how much time it saves etc.
@Muelitz (1592)
• Canada
26 Jun 08
I got my first personal computer ages ago. I was really very expensive and I had to pay installments in order to afford it. I am studying Computer Science that time so having a computer at home gives you an edge since you need not compete with other students to get computer time on the school computer laboratory. Now that I am working I bought a new laptop. Laptops now are more affordable compared to the last 3 years. Prices have dropped almost 50%. It is important to have a desktop or laptop today since everything is computerized. If you have internet access almost everything is accessible online. You can do your research online, do bank transactions etc... with the use of your fingertips. So sum it up, having a computer at home makes you more effective and efficient in a lot of ways.
