can any of us afford this 5 of january, 1997 by johnmichael patrick monty monteith

Probably like most of you reading this, I picked up computer use as a hobby. My first very own full computer system was a VIC-20 with tape drive hooked up to my TV. It ran most of the new titles coming out at the time, and I can not remember thinking to myself, "gee, am I going to be able to afford to replace this when it becomes obsolete?" Why would I think that? The entire system, including some software purchases, set me back less than 500 smackers. And, at the time, that was state of the art for home computing. 500 dollars these days will not even buy a decent monitor.

Computing remained at an affordable level for some time, too. It was not until the manufacturers of the "real" (ie: affordable for normal people) home computers were pushed out of business that everyone had to start throwing down $3000 every three years. From the VIC-20, the next generation was the Commodore 64 and Atari 800. Those machines with floppy drive and software also cost less than $500. Later we had the choice of the Amiga 500 (still an impressive machine by today’s standards), and Atari ST. Both had a price tag less than $500 with drive and software, and could be hooked up to your TV with very good results.

There is little doubt that Commodore, Atari, and other affordable computing manufacturers had the idea of putting the power of computers in the hands of everyone. They priced the machines at a level that anyone could purchase without having to take out a mortgage. These manufacturers of the supposed "Internet Computer" for less than $500 have short memories. Full fledged personal computers used to cost that price.

Today, my income is dependent on owning all of the latest computer equipment. In order to compete for my employment I need to be well versed in Unix, Windows (all flavors), Macintosh, and most types of networking. That means owning these machines at home, as well as using them at work. But how can any of us possibly afford to keep on the cutting edge of the industry when we have to toss our expensive machines every two to three years? Even at a decent salary, one has to choose between raising a family, or raising a computer. They both are in the same ball park of expense.

I am helping my father purchase a new computer this month. He needs it to run Microsoft Office, which he uses at work, Internet stuff, and the occasional game of Quake. No big deal, right? Well, if he wants the system to still be usable in a couple years (to play Quake 2), let me run down the requirements: 17 inch monitor (using Windows 95 on anything less is nearly unbearable), 32 megs of RAM (although 64 megs would be preferable), a Pentium MMX or Pentium Pro, 3 gig hard drive, 12 speed CD ROM, 2 meg RAM video card (4 meg preferable), AWE sound card, and a 33.6 modem. Whew. Any ideas on what this system will set him back? From a reputable company like Dell or Gateway, he is looking at a set back of $3000-$3500, easy.

One year ago I bought a new computer, and here is what I got for $3500 from Dell: 17 inch monitor, 1 gig HD, Pentium 100MHz, no sound card, 2meg video card, 4 speed CD ROM, 16 megs of RAM, and no modem. You can see that the computer I bought in the $3500 price range one year ago is worth maybe $1250 today. Since that day I have, of course, popped another grand into the system to keep it on the cutting edge, but it just goes to show how quickly you lose money on a computer.

Let me put this in perspective: The rate of depreciation on a computer is more than three times the rate of an automobile. An automobile loses approximately 15% of the value every year. A computer loses about 50% of the value. That mean that if you purchase a $3000 computer today it will, in essence, cost you less than buying a $9000 automobile. If you own two computers (a desktop and a laptop), you are looking at $18000 in automobile dollars. And if you are insane, like me, you own a laptop, desktop PC, and desktop Mac. I am now up to the luxury car realm in automobile dollars.

For those Macintosh owners out there that believe you are immune from the dollar guzzling computer syndrome, think again. In order to run the new NeXT-Mac operating system that is supposed to be delivered at the end of 1997, Apple will not guarantee it will work on anything less than a PCI Power PC system. That means if you bought a Nubus Power PC system just two years ago, you can kiss your Macintosh investment good-bye since it probably will not run the new operating system (according to Apple at their press announcement). You will be lucky if you can get a quarter of your investment back, which falls right in line with the depreciation rate of any other computer, if not a little higher.

Now, granted, very few of us keep our computers on the cutting edge. Most of us will keep the same computer a year or two beyond the stage when it will run the latest software. After all, even an old IBM XT or Commodore 64 can run a word processor, log on and exchange email, and even play a game or two. But, then again, a Ford Pinto could still take us to work every day, but it does not change the fact that none of us wants to own one.

We are a consumer society. None of us wants to be left behind. We all want what is cutting edge. We want the latest technology in everything, whether it be a new big screen TV, a stereo HI-FI VCR, a latest model year sport utility vehicle, and the latest Pentium Pro with 64 megs of RAM.

However, I can not help but long for the early years, when a full computer system that ran the latest games and word processors cost less than 500 smackers. Ah, yes. Now those were real personal computers.