Spending money on computer, video, electronic, and software purchases.

[AlecWest]

March and April have been "spending" months for me having bought an HP Pavillion dv8408us laptop, an external floppy drive, a scanner, etc. And, in about an hour or so, I'll be heading to Staples to buy an HP Color LaserJet 2600n printer.

Interesting note. Staples currently has the 1600 and 2600n Color LaserJets on sale for $224.98 and $299.98 respectively, undercutting HP's own online sale price by a penny each (grin). Staples' sale ends tomorrow, though. Still, HP is offering free shipping if you buy them online. But here's the interesting part.

Originally, I was going to buy the 1600. But then, I compared the two:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/can.do?storeName=storefronts&landing=printe...or&catLevel=2#

On its face, the 2600n appears more expensive. But in the long run, it's cheaper than the 1600. This is because the 1600 only comes with "introductory" toner cartridges (1,000 pages each) while the 2600n comes with full-sized cartridges. In short, when you compare the two printers, buying the 2600n is like getting roughly one full-sized toner cartridge free over the long haul. They're between $75-$80 each ... and the two printers are only $75 apart in price.

FWIW, originally I was going to get an Epson All-In-One that could print to CDs/DVDs, too. But, since then, I've heard horror stories about using so much ink to burn a color image to a CD/DVD that you can almost "watch" the ink levels go down while it happens. In short, burning images to CDs/DVDs is an ink-hog project ... so, I've decided to just tough it with regular CDs/DVDs (in labeled envelopes or jewel-cases). And, since the 2600n is just a printer, that's why I got a separate scanner - a Canon model that runs on USB power alone.

Of course, I've also been buying software including a WinXP Home OEM disk, Norton Ghost, and a few other things.

Anyhoo, I'm just curious about what others have in mind to spend this year on computer, video, electronic, and software purchases. So, I think I'll do a poll.

[yoda313]

Well i already spent close to $500 on my new HP with VISTA PREMIUM this year. If you count my purchase of the Nintendo Wii last November thats $250. Not to mention the TIVO I bought at the end of December last year ($200 for the year service I did finally get my hardware rebate the other week).

Oh and the odds and ends for blank discs and a game here or there.

I don't think I'll have any more major purchases this year.

Though a new monitor may not be out of the question. Also more likely is a new graphics card. I think my Nvidia 7300 is adequate for now but now that I finally have a pci-e slot on my new pc I want to go a bit newer and a bit beefier.

[lordsmurf]

Does camera equipment count? Not video, but "still" photography.

[AlecWest]

Does camera equipment count? Not video, but "still" photography.

Digital camera equipment would count as "electronics," yes. Nowadays, a digital camera is merely a "peripheral" to either a computer or a standalone printer with a dock.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I picked the last option.
It's only April and I'm already over the $500.00 mark....

[SquirrelDip]

Does camera equipment count? Not video, but "still" photography.

Digital camera equipment would count as "electronics," yes. Nowadays, a digital camera is merely a "peripheral" to either a computer or a standalone printer with a dock.

Overall - no idea... However just piced up a Canon Rebel XTi (400D). Would rather have had something better (30D or beyond - prefer the feel of the larger bodies) but budget won't permit. Hopefully will be able to get better glass before the summer is done (looking at the Canon EF-S 17-85mm F4-5.6 IS USM - $700).

Yesterday picked up a ColorVision Spyder2...

Last week, picked up a new laptop - 14.1" HP with a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo...

Nothing else on the wish list - but the year is still early.

[rallynavvie]

Almost over $5000 already this year with my new 1080p set and its peripherals

I also expect to be putting together a new workstation late this year. I've been itching to put together a dual-quad machine now with the reviews being so promising. I'm already starting to amass components but I'll wait on the procs and platform until later this year when things are cheaper and perhaps the platforms will be a little more refined. I'm expecting that workstation alone to run close to $3000.

I alternate years on my big purchases. Every three years I rotate between spending money on home improvements, computer systems, and my car. This year is computer systems (and other technology like my new TV). Next year is back to home improvements.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

...I alternate years on my big purchases. Every three years I rotate between spending money on home improvements, computer systems, and my car. This year is computer systems (and other technology like my new TV). Next year is back to home improvements.

Wow. I wish I could be that disciplined...

[budz]

I picked the last option.
It's only April and I'm already over the $500.00 mark....

I picked the last option as well. I just replaced a failed Asus P4P800SE mobo for my P4 3.00c Northwood processor w/a cheap Biostar P4 Via chipset mobo. I had no choice but to buy that mobo since socket 478 mobos w/intel 865 chipsets are very hard to find. I wasn't about to pay up to $200.00 for a used Asus P4P800SE mobo on Ebay. I couldn't stand seeing that P4 3.00c Northwood processor go to waste.

I'll probably end up selling that P4 computer and use the money to buy another AMD dual core processor & mobo or INTEL core2duo processor & mobo.