What happens to your old toys?

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rayonline

1734 posts

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#123420 6-Jul-2013 22:26

Do you guys just dump and upgrade?

We've just looked at some TV's today the first as a group of us but our CRT is still going strong 13 years now. I've also had my PC for 4.5yrs and that is going strong too, it only lags for photography but every day stuff it is perfectly fine. A person said we could trade in maybe even for $50 if that's possible but that's a waste and b/c we subscribe to World TV (via Sky TV) their stuff isn't HD anyway.

Been burnt 13yrs ago when we got a $900 DVD Player, haven't used it much less than 50 playbacks probably, so haven't even replaced it nor gotten Blue Ray.

I was also just a moment ago trying out a spare computer we had, the CRT monitor expired some months ago so it is not being used now. Hooked up to the LCD and it worked flawlessly. Dual Core 3.0Ghz. XP of course. Maybe we have reached a plateeu for every day stuff, I know an IT friend and he's still using a Samsaung SII. And likewise I still have a used bought laptop (1.8Ghz Dual Core), in a way I cannot get a tablet b/c it's there but I would only do that should others need it, quite ok with just my PC for photography and my cell.

We might even get another 4yrs out of the CRT TV who knows ....

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#850288 6-Jul-2013 23:29

I store stuff in my garage when I upgrade as I haven't the heart to throw anything away after spending so much money on it.

Anyone want to buy a SyQuest external drive with 250 MB cartridges? Kind of useless now that everyone has USB flash drives with a hundred times the capacity.

David.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

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#850289 6-Jul-2013 23:34

Trademe if it is worth more than 50 bucks. Otherwise, I generally bin it.

Exception is phones where I keep 2-3 generations as back ups, and recycle older ones.

mattwnz

20164 posts

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#850293 7-Jul-2013 00:07

If you are watching old VHS videos, a CRT is still good for that. Dual core PCs are generally powerful enough for general computing, especially with windows 8. I installed it on mine and is is a fast powerful little computer, with no lag on full hd video
The samsung SII is still sold , and is only a few years old.

I find apple stuff generally lasts a long time, and has very good second had resale value on trademe. Have an old ipod touch and it is still working well, and about 5 years old. Only the newer version of ios made it a bit laggy. Even one of the one day deal websites was selling the same model refurbished for nearly $200.

rayonline

1734 posts

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#850332 7-Jul-2013 09:34

We have a VHS, replaced it a about 5yrs ago because the one we had for 10+ years broke down. The other recorders were far more expensive. WTV only broadcast in standard def even if we paid more for Sky HD. We don't pay for the other standard Sky channels.

We just don't get into other stuff, just general computing here. I have a Quad 2.33 for photo's a bit slow for modern 24MP dSLR files but do-able. Then we have a Dual 3.0 and a Dual 2.4 waiting in line that were given to us.

I got a Dual 1.8 laptop which I got used for my previous studies, didn't use it much, could have just avoided that and maybe next time if I needed a larger one gotten a tablet. But now I have this thing I cannot convince myself b/c it would be a waste. On a personal level now I'm doing more IM than emails with my phone with those abroad and even those in NZ. It's portable, it's fast, it's in reach. Could use it in bed with one hand. For the odd game we just get a rental from the video store, far cheape than buying too for that matter with our Xbox and none of that continual upgrading.

My Quad 2.33 which is 4.5yrs used, the HDDs are still under warranty, one that is 3yr used now which I bought later, is due for a new replacement next week due to bad clusters. The thing just doesn't end. I also gotten a new screen 2yrs in due to a pink line thru it. A new video was given 6 months in due to the fan stopped.

DarthKermit

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#850351 7-Jul-2013 10:43

I don't have a lot of toys, compared to some on GZ.

My desktop computer is over 10 years old now. I keep it going because it still has software I find useful on it. I haven't bothered to hook it up to the internet since we went to ADSL a few years ago.

I still have a VCR (gathering dust in a cupboard). Maybe one day I'll get around to transferring some VHS tapes over to the hard drive recorder, then finally dump it.

I had to get rid of my CRT tv in 2012 since it went a sickly green/yellow colour, got my first flat panel TV then.

Da Mrs has an older DVD/VCR combo and a matching CRT TV. That'll need a Freeview box to keep watching TV before long.

I use her old CDMA cellphone as an alarm clock since that network was shut down. I have to keep it plugged in the wall all the time, as the battery drains quickly because the phone is constantly searching for the network.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

richms

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#850375 7-Jul-2013 11:15

Inorganic collection and keep the HDDs for old computers. Inorganic for the old CRT TV's, printers, furniture etc.
I tend to keep things so long that they have effectively zero resale value. Defiantly less than the cost of hassle of dealing with trademe loser buyers.

Richard rich.ms

geek4me

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#850379 7-Jul-2013 11:30

I've learned over the years not to store stuff as it soon is only suitable for recycling or the tip so I often give good stuff away to friends or charities who can't afford it and who appreciate receiving it.

I too made the mistake of spending top dollar on a DVD recorder when they first came out. I believe it was around $1,600 at the time. Similarly spent too much on a movie camera 13 years ago.

I've decided now not to always get the latest thing but buy a less expensive model. Flat screen TVs are a good example. A $995 smart TV is as good as a $4,000 bigger screen model. In a few years you can pass it on to others and buy another $995 smart TV that will then be smarter than the $4,000 model today - and you've spent less than $2,000 to have the current technology in future.

I wouldn't want to pass on a $4,000 TV as it cost so much but a TV for less than $1,000 is easier to pass on to others/charities in a few years and they appreciate receiving it. Looking back, storing "old toys" in the garage has never been a good idea, unless of course you stored an original Apple PC.

Sharesies

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SaltyNZ

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#850386 7-Jul-2013 11:38

Needs an old-skool Slashdot "insensitive clod" option, as in "I'm still USING my old toys, you insensitive clod!"

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

kiwitrc

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#850387 7-Jul-2013 11:46

SaltyNZ: Needs an old-skool Slashdot "insensitive clod" option, as in "I'm still USING my old toys, you insensitive clod!"

You still trying to throw that old Boomerang away Salty?

mattwnz

20164 posts

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#850420 7-Jul-2013 13:57

Early adopters always pay significantly more. My first CD player in the early 80's was over $1000. My first digital cameras in 2000 was a crappy kodak 3MP one that cost nearly 2k

pctek

807 posts

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#850440 7-Jul-2013 15:08

Mmm.
It's called hoarding - storing in the garage type thing - not still using old stuff.

I gave some to friends/family.
Had the Salvation Army come round with their big truck.
Offered some stuff free online.

Clutter free, if it hasn't been used in 2 years or more - it's not going to be and out it goes.

I love space and plenty of room.

mattwnz

20164 posts

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#850444 7-Jul-2013 15:18

Or get a bigger house.

richms

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#850456 7-Jul-2013 15:24

Or build another shed or garage on otherwise pointless lawn. That's win/win since you have less to mow as well.

Richard rich.ms

SaltyNZ

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#850503 7-Jul-2013 18:27

richms: Or build another shed or garage on otherwise pointless lawn. That's win/win since you have less to mow as well.

It's a win/win/win: you can add the mower to the collection of old useless toys!

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

semigeek

1606 posts

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#850509 7-Jul-2013 18:55

Some of my old toys end up in the garage. For example I have a TX-SR307 receiver hooked up out there to an old XP PC so I can run Spotify and Netflix.
There are 3 CRT's out there too, one hooked up to a DVD player. I have an old Philips 955 in the bedroom, still use that.
Old mobiles I will generally flick off on TM. I kinda hate getting rid of most stuff when I have paid heaps for it.

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