Too much choice?

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StellenboschStudent

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Looking at all the products available today, I ask myself if we, the consumer, have too much to choose from?

In an above average household you will have a nice LCD flatscreen TV with DSTV, maybe a amp and so, but nothing too fancy. Then, maybe you have a gaming console.
Then the things start. You buy a PC then you have to choose between desktop and laptop.
If you go and buy a killer machine, what is the point of your gaming console then? If you play games on both, you have too much time on your hands, all you can do is work, but then the PC will be at work and not in your home. You won't buy a PC to hook it up to your TV, only die-hard techies do that sort of thing. So, you will buy a mid-range PC, to browse the web and do the odd word processing and so forth. But that said, why not buy a laptop? Then you can take it around with you.
So then you have all the different ranges of laptops to choose from. Going high-end in a laptop is not the way to go, as you cannot replace the parts, so you have to buy a new top of the range latop every three years if you want to stay on-top. So most people will settle for a mid range laptop with no heavy performance parts.
Then you have the tablets coming in too the fold. So many to choose from and I think they will replace netbooks, or hopefully, then that is one less thing to choose from.

I don't mind all the choices, not at all, but it is starting to catch up. I am in the market for a new PC, and have been since June, or there about.
I first wanted to buy a high end gaming PC, but I have a PS3, so luckily some people on the forum pointed out that it will be stupid. Then I thought of going for just a mid range PC, but, I have a Mac now, and I don't want to move to Windows again. So, thought of getting a iMac 27". But then again, I won't be using a quarter of the capabilities of the machine, so now I am looking at the 21" models.

At work I have a descend PC for simulating and so forth. At home, I only watch movies, browse the web and do some minor word processing and so forth on my Mac. So, I guess an ipad will be sufficient for my needs.

All these choices made me change my mind a lot. And I am not sure that is always a good thing...
 
Just less.

Is it really necessary for desktops (high, mid and low end), latopts (high, mid and low end) then you have netbooks and then now tablets.
And the high, mid and low ends can be divided up su much further. Each category you have hundreds of manufacturers to choose from... it just gets overwhelming.

If you don't know exactly what you want, you will just get more confused when you look at the products out there.
 
I'd rather have more choice than less.

It all comes down to you evaluating what your needs are (I should say wants but you know what I mean).
I'd think it's fairly easy (I'm excluding rich people who buy for the sake of buying):
Console -> pure gaming with possibility of media
High end gaming machine -> You love having the best graphics and smoothest game play. Pretty hardcore gamer that also like to customize their machine.
High end laptop -> similar to the above but with mobility and normally dual use as a work machine.

Midrange of either -> is just cheaper versions where one gets 80% of the performance at 70% of the cost. This machine allows you to be a casual gamer and/or hardcore gamer that is budget conscious.

Low end -> basically a student/work pc for word and surfing maybe small casual games.

Netbooks -> ultra portable low weight for presentations and easier working and staying touch on the move.

Tablets -> Still not sure about these? They like big iphones?
 
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StellenboschStudent said:
Just less.

Is it really necessary for desktops (high, mid and low end), latopts (high, mid and low end) then you have netbooks and then now tablets.
And the high, mid and low ends can be divided up su much further. Each category you have hundreds of manufacturers to choose from... it just gets overwhelming.

If you don't know exactly what you want, you will just get more confused when you look at the products out there.
Click to expand...

So you get high, mid and low end cars. Or you can get a motorbike. Or if you live close to work a bicycle. And those two also have high/mid/low end options. Or you could use public transport... More choice is not a bad thing if you know exactly what you'll be getting out of it, which is easy with the multitude of reviews on PC hardware, or the advice from people in the know.
 
Archer said:
So you get high, mid and low end cars. Or you can get a motorbike. Or if you live close to work a bicycle. And those two also have high/mid/low end options. Or you could use public transport... More choice is not a bad thing if you know exactly what you'll be getting out of it, which is easy with the multitude of reviews on PC hardware, or the advice from people in the know.
Click to expand...

Point taken.
The main problem is that I don't know what I want, and now there is so much choice that I want someone to decide for me! I don't want to blame myself if I make the wrong choice.
 
Put it to a vote then :)

what are your needs/wants?
and give us your list of device/configuration considerations, and we'll vote for the best one :)
 
At this moment I have a MacBook Pro, bought it back in 2007, so it is three years old, and time for an upgrade.

All I do with it is watch movies and series when I don't watch it on my PS3. I do some gaming, but very limited, actually stopping it, just gaming on my PS3.
And then web browsing, downloading stuff... Some word processing (LaTeX).
No hardcore use, so I guess my MacBook is still fine for all that.

I was thinking about getting a new 21" iMac and maybe an iPad.

(30% movies and series, 50% internet + downloading, 15% word processing, 5% gaming)
 
StellenboschStudent said:
Point taken.
The main problem is that I don't know what I want, and now there is so much choice that I want someone to decide for me! I don't want to blame myself if I make the wrong choice.
Click to expand...

Well what purpose will the machine serve? Eg. 50% gaming, 40% work (photoshop), 10% movies/series. Then we can offer advice.
 
More choice is better, less choice is for the lazy mind ;) But for MATLAB, all you need is a quad core, tons of RAM and a 64-bit OS (to handle the RAM). Work PC solved.
 
Well you got:
A gaming device
A general purpose/work machine

Maybe something like a mede8er for your tv for all the movies and series?

But I don't see what else you need.

I see that you want alot of new gadget etc, but you don't need them?
 
Too much choice leaving us bewildered and depressed
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...oice-leaving-us-bewildered-and-depressed.html
http://thequestforagoodlife.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/does-choice-mean-more-freedom-and-well-being/

"We cannot assume that choice, as understood by educated, affluent Westerners, is a universal aspiration, and that the provision of choice will necessarily foster freedom and well-being.
"Even in contexts where choice can foster freedom, empowerment, and independence, it is not an unalloyed good. Choice can also produce a numbing uncertainty, depression, and selfishness."
 
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nakedpeanut said:
Well you got:
A gaming device
A general purpose/work machine

Maybe something like a mede8er for your tv for all the movies and series?

But I don't see what else you need.

I see that you want alot of new gadget etc, but you don't need them?
Click to expand...

That is what I am contemplating... building a dedicated HTPC and then get me an iPad for browsing, and the word processing (maybe get a nice dock), and then my old macbook can still be used for some other things...

Guess I don't need them, but I want them.
 
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Sell your PS3 and Macbook and get a high end PC. If you need portability keep the Macbook. PC can do everything. One device for all.
 
SaiyanZ said:
Sell your PS3 and Macbook and get a high end PC. If you need portability keep the Macbook. PC can do everything. One device for all.
Click to expand...

Nope, can't play GT5 on the PC. Plus, I will never again go to Windows, my PC at work crashes once a day, my mac at home crashes once a year, maybe.
 
well...if i was you, i would go for one thing that can do most of the things today, and that would be a decent pc. you can build it up to whatever you want. I will never buy a console cos my pc can handle it. And what about games that dont get released for pc? well...would you want to buy a ps3 just to play GOW3?

well it depends on you but i prefer less for more.


The reason why i would also have more choice is because companies are competing against each other for the best product and price, so the more competitive(choice) the better for the consumer.

If you want someone to decide for you, then i vote for a decent PC
 
Sell your ps3, lcd, amp and macbook, get a highend pc with huge screen and logitech Z5500.

PC does everything. No need for anything else.
 
You are aware that Mac is just software right, also you can install Mac OS on a PC, so whats the point in paying like 10000s for a Mac if a normal pc can run it. Mac is actually so Under Spec for what you pay for. and I saw alot of Macs crash just out of there warranty period, the first thing that goes is the hard drive. then you cant do a thing. for that kind of money you can get yourself an decent laptop that can do both gaming and normal office work.
 
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First: Why are you "in the market for a new PC" ?

Second: More choice is good but i totally get where you're coming from. I'm sure A LOT of other people feel the same as you.

Lastly: It sound as if a Macbook might do the job. OR see if the new Air might catch your fancy... :P
 
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