HELP! Computer dilemma

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Hi guys, I am in a bit of a dillema over what to do

I am going through so much pain in deciding whether to keep maintaining my current computers or when they die on me, just go out and buy new ones.

I have mostly pentium 4 machines and I obsessed in whether to get more off ebay or am I just mad.

I am also in two minds whether to keep to windows 7 or linux, what most of us aspies use? I know I can dual boot.

What do you guys reckon will be the future of computer technology and whether I am just chasing my own tail.

Thanks

Firstly, how many computers do you currently own, and what do you do with them?

Linux is great for most general purpose computing, but if you do serious gaming, use Windows. If you have 7+ machines with P4 processors of the same speed, you could conceivably build a cluster computer for specialised applications like 3D Rendering, or research.

If it works, and it does everything you need it to, then I'd hold off upgrading. However, if you're into gaming, or something similarly cpu-intensive, then you probably want the latest/greatest thing.

I'm a big linux fan, and if you haven't tried it, you should. Most linux distributions put out live CDs you can try without installing anything to get a taste of it Linux Mint's a good one.. There's even software to run one of the big distributions, Ubuntu, inside windows: Wubi - Ubuntu Windows Installer. Some linux distributions make good use of old hardware, and can make it seem like you've got a new computer.

However, if there's some programme you just have to have, and if it's only windows, then you're a bit stuck.

First, as the others have said, consider your own needs and desires. Then, consider your own needs and desires. The future of computer technology means nothing - unless you specifically want to be on that cutting edge. If you do, that's fine. Just buy the latest cutting edge machines with the latest cutting edge software.

But if you aren't specifically looking for that, then consider what you want to do with your computers. How do you use them? Pick the machine(s) and OS(s) that work for you. I don't like the direction computers are going in, at least the commercial systems. So my next computer will be one I build, and I'll put my old copy of Windows XP on there (just to run a few things I haven't managed to wean myself from yet), and whichever Linux distro best suits me at the time.

If you want to go out and buy a Windows 8 box the minute it comes out, I support your right to do that. But if that isn't what you're looking for, why let someone else tell you it is what you ought to have? So, yes, I'd spend some time thinking, and I'd work out what I wanted to do, and how, and why, and then I'd choose the machines that suit me best. (I know some people don't know enough about computers, and they're happy just letting a salesperson point them towards something. That's their right, too, and it's their money. But I've never been happy with anything a salesperson picked out for me. In my experience, it seems like stuff they must have been trying to dump. That's one reason I learned more about computers. In self defense.)

Edited to add: At least for me, the problem with salespeople isn't just with computers. I am never happy with anything they pick out. I love fountain pens, but the few times I let salespeople tell me what make and model to get - I got stuck with crap. My cheap Chinese knockoff pens are better than those. I have specific tastes, and the only way I can get what I want is to figure it out for myself.

Well I had a heart to heart chat with my mum and she and my sister reckon I am declining and I find it hard now to service my own computers.

I got my A+ certificate 10 years ago and I built my own machines, hence while they lasted this long. I seem to be having mind changing issues, I would one minute have windows, then linux, then windows, then linux, I feel sorry for my hard drive. I have dual booted twice and it goes on like that.

So you can see where I am coming from on this topic.

I really like Linux. But it doesn't always work out of the box and can take some frigging with. I just spent a week getting my desktop working properly (Although to be fair that's because I'm using some new and hence buggy stuff). I wouldn't recommend Linux if you aren't reasonably computer savvy, or at least willing to learn.

I do like linux as you can tinker with it, windows is mostly point and click, people want to be able to turn on and go.

It is the point of keeping my machines and maintain them by getting spare parts from ebay or just let go and buy new. Motivation and the energy is the problem as well what will everyone will be using in say 5 years.

I use Linux, and at least once a year I update my old XP under VirtualBox.

I used to dual (or rather, multiple) boot, but it's too much hassle. When XP corrupts, I just copy the previous virtual disk image.

Pentium 4's? Were your computers built by dinosaurs?

If you think they're getting slow, buy new ones, but don't expect to get much for your current machines on eBay. If they still run fine, just replace them when you don't think they're usable anymore.

Today I installed Linux Mint 12 and it is great alongside windows, I will consider putting windows into a virtual machine. I do play world of warcraft and I fixated with it.

Everyone who posted to my thread, thank you, it has been a great help.

There is people who save computers from tips and restore them, I find it fascinating something I like to do.

My wife is not too keen about it as she is worried I am will end up with too many, I am dreadful.

I am looking at buying a new laptop in the new year.

Well if I can keep my p4s maintained cheaply then I think it will be cool, I got a p4 processor for £3 on ebay.

I got 2 p4 machines I have built a while ago and these are running still, my wife's machines is a p4 compaq presario which she loves, we are not made of money due to my condition.

I also have a dell optiplex with amd processor which needs a new battery.

I am working on getting a new dell laptop in the new year.

I am totally insane

If I went for a new desktop, I would rather build my own as I know what goes into it.

Laptops different scenario, ideally a mac book air, but a lot of money. Maybe in a year so much commitments.

I am a futurist and I want to be able to keep up, but due to my aspergers, it is hard to get a job.

If you buy a Mac (which I recommend), get a refurb. Basically exactly the same as a brand new one but cheaper.