Sponsor's Message

There was a time when CPU speed and the memory size of desktop computers seemed to double every six months or so but fortunately things have slowed a little in recent times.

Never the less, a modern PC still loses its value faster than an ice-block dropped on a hot footpath - which leaves me asking: what's the best way to keep up with the Jones?

A few years ago it was not uncommon for the more tech-literate computer owner to simply splash out on a new montherboard when they felt the need for speed - but these days I wonder if that's still the most cost-effective route.

And now, with Christmas just a few sleeps away, I'm sure there are lots of folks seriously considering buying a few more CPU cycles for 2006 - so what's the best way to do this?

Now have your say Got something to say about today's column, or want to see what others think?  Visit The Forums While you're here, why not visit the Aardvark Hall of Shame and perhaps make your own nomination. 7

Of course if you're completely stupid you would probably rush out and buy "the latest and greatest" from one of the large department stores and think you got a good deal because you'd be making no repayments and incurring no interest until some date way in the future.

The problem with such deals is that the hardware being sold is seldom state of the art and by the time you make that first payment, your PC is already worth a tiny fraction of the debt outstanding.

Then there's the problem of deciding which brand to buy.

Should you go with a recognised "brand name" box such as Dell, HP, Compaq or whatever? Or should you save a fist-full of dollars by choosing one of the many beige-boxed units sold from small shops around the country?

If you pick the right box-builder you can really save a snot-load of dosh *and* end up with a superior computer. Choose the wrong one however, and you might get little more than a collection of sub-standard bits that don't work at all well together.

Or maybe a new PC isn't the best choice at all...

If you're a hard-core gamer you might be best advised to hang on to your current PC (which is probably already pretty pimped-out) and wait instead for the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3.

Let's hear from readers... When it comes to buying a new computer, tell us your what, where, how and why.

Just as important -- what do you consider to be things to avoid?

Sharing your experiences might make someone else's Christmas a little brighter.

Tell us all and see what others have to say in The Aardvark Forums

If you feel that this is a good thing and/or you hold a "geniune affection" for yours truly -- then you are welcome to gift me some money using the buttons provided. In gifting this money you accept that no goods, service or other consideration is offered, provided, accepted or anticipated in return. Just click on the button to gift whatever you can afford. NOTE: PayPal bills in US dollars so don't accidentally gift more than what you were intending :-)

Contacting Aardvark
I'm always happy to hear from readers, whether they're delivering brickbats, bouquets or news tip-offs. If you'd like to contact me directly, please this form. If you're happy for me to republish your comments then please be sure and select For Publication.

Other media organisations seeking more information or republication rights are also invited to contact me.

Just add a couple of lines of JavaScript to your pages and you can get a free summary of Aardvark's daily commentary -- automatically updated each and every week-day.

Aardvark also makes a summary of this daily column available via XML using the RSS format. More details can be found here.

Contact me if you decide to use either of these feeds and have any problems.

Linking Policy
Want to link to this site? Check out Aardvark's Linking Policy.

Did you tell someone else about Aardvark today? If not then do it now!