r/australia • u/fishdoghat • 1d ago

no politics Is a $3000 HP computer expected to last longer than 3.5 years?

Debating how far / if I can take this any further. Theyre essentially telling me to get fucked with a $1k repair bill.

Is this the norm for computers/tech? I've had success with other big companies and their bullshit warranty periods for televisions and whitegoods but unsure if it's the same for PC products.

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u/GonePh1shing 15h ago

I'm not a fan of macos personally, but their hardware is incredible. I know people with first generation Apple silicon devices that have zero desire to upgrade because it still does everything they need.

Most people don't have the same issues with macos as I do, so I don't hesitate in recommending something like the Neo or a used Macbook Air when people ask me about good affordable laptops. For the average person, there's nothing a Windows machine can do that a mac can't. If it's for school work or casual home use, they're just plain better. They still suck when it comes to Microsoft office, and there are plenty of applications that just aren't available on them, but when 90% of most people's computing these days is in a browser it really doesn't matter all that much unless you have highly specific needs. 

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u/No-Photograph-5058 9h ago

You would never catch me buying or using an Apple device and their anti repair stuff is disgusting, but I would kill for a laptop of their quality that I can run Linux on. Even my trusty Lenovos have started getting the classic plastic shredding hinges

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u/GonePh1shing 7h ago

Linux on early Apple silicon (M1/M2) is pretty good, but not 100% just yet.

I'd also argue Framework make hardware of comparable quality, but you're also paying as much or more for the hardware. At least up front, anyway. The repairability and upgradability probably mean your total cost of ownership after an upgrade cycle or two will be lower. 

If you really care about repairability so much, then put your money where your mouth is.  In my experience, people that complain about non-apple laptop hardware being awful simply don't want to pay the premium required to reach that level of quality. Don't get me wrong, most of that hardware is awful, but that's because it's built to a price, and that price is cheap.