Today is the day I'm buying new computers for my family, because tariffs are coming and I don't want to spend an extra 20-to-40 percent just for funsies
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I'm getting laptops, so pre-build. Also I tried building my own computer once and that taught me not to. I will spec out what I want on a computer and let someone else do the assembly.
(Yes, I know about Framework. Great concept, not for me)
Yeah, I've happily built every desktop computer I've touched since... 1994(ish?) and I still go pre-built for any laptop I pick up. Framework may one day win me over, but it hasn't happened yet since they haven't really got anything that appeals to the gamer in me. Good luck!
Here in Japan the tariffs really won’t affect much, so we can wait. Plus the economy here is already in the dumps so the general feeling is “well, it can’t get much worse!”
would it be terribly annoying to ask which ones you're looking at? I've been thinking about doing the same but have felt really daunted by all the differing opinions I've found :/
I'm looking at higher-end laptops because I'm hoping to future-proof for a few years. So Asus, Lenovo, Dell and a few other brands. Not Apple because neither Krissy nor Athena is used to their system. I have a MacBook so Apple is represented enough anyway.
them mac minis are sick but is it gauche to suggest that desktops aren't the standard computers form factor anymore?? (Even excluding smartphones and tablets)
I'm looking at same - my current laptop is a ASUS TUF Gaming I've had since 2000 and its fantastic. I'm not a gamer, but I'm a digital artist and the programs I use take up a ton of space. Plus it has a military grade casing that is cat flop proof. Looking at getting a newer model.
The problem with looking for systems is that everyone has their own use case, and unless you detail yours very well, people recommending are likely to be well off the mark of what is "best" for you.
We sell business and home users Dell or Lenovo with a 3 year onsite hardware warranty from the manufacturer. It's the best way to go long term if you don't want to have to mail your computer off and wait a week to get it back.
If you just need ID though, SK has a card, looks almost identical to the DL, but it's just photo ID. Similar background checks though. And I guess other provinces have them now as well. AB and MB
The learning to drive part is doable at any age, my NYC buddy got her license at age 41, my son finally passed his licensing practicum at 21 (had his learner’s permit 16-21) it’s affording the vehicle that’s the bridge too far…😖
Honestly, if you live in a city with decent public transport, don't. We didn't for a very, very long time. It was cheaper to rent one if we really needed one for something, or just take a taxi.
Haven't been able to use the bus for anything important since the schedule was changed on precisely April 1st, 2019. Which I remember because I had been using it for all of two weeks for my new job, so I assume this was just to spite me, personally.
I wouldn’t. We just rent whenever we need to go anywhere outside the city. Between parking, insurance, maintenance, gas… this way every time we go anywhere we get to see what the newest features are.
yeah. people who think prices will only go up by the amount of the tariff are delusional, the price shocks are going to be much larger than that. expect to see some items double or even triple in price, plus businesses will take advantage of the chaos to increase prices just because they can
Dude, that's why consumer prices have gone up so much over the past few years. "Supply chain disruption" has been the go-to excuse, but really it's just "hey we can raise prices and people will still pay it, ka-ching!"
There's no way the increase will be _less_ than the tariff.
Fortunately, we've done that in the last couple years. A couple days ago I wondered if we made a mistake replacing both cars, replacing the roof and other home projects. Now, I'm sure we did the right thing. Our priority now is savings.
I'm going to buy a high end graphics card while I can. I was going to wait a few generations, because the current stuff is pretty lackluster outside of the 4090, but things will cost so much more that I might as well buy stuff now.
I was planning on doing the same thing, but the current costs are a bit high for win11 capable parts. They may have to suffer longer. We already live close to the bone.
Schools/colleges are finally starting to sell off 8th gen and above desktops and laptops regularly, so as long as you don't mind "ancient" (5-6 year old) systems, they're still pretty damned cheap. And as long as you don't render/AAA game, doable with a middling GPU upgrade.
My last 8th gen laptop, Dell Latitude 7400, cost me $66 OTD and all I needed to add was an NVMe drive, which I already had using Office Depot Toner Rewards (my main use for them, makes my SSDs half price).
I just bought a Lenovo Thinkcentre m73 tiny which, unfortunately, I seemed to have broken at work. The price for the minis and tinys are better than raw sff mobo/cpu combos, though I would prefer pcie on board instead of a remote thing.
If you build your own. It's cheaper. I've done it a few times. Ive saved about an extra 30% from matching the parts up myself and buying them individually. If you need help, feel free to reach out. I am a computer tech and do this professionally as well.
Will be a knock on effect around the world with tariffs, will be more tit for tat retaliation re goods, prices will go up and could trigger global economic downturn. In the name of what? Megalomania? At least the music will still play.
I crunched the numbers or cracked the eggs -
A dozen normal large eggs - $4.79.
A dozen fancy Pasture raised large eggs - $10.99
Some are complaining about the price of the latter, which makes no sense. And in stores the regular eggs are less, this is based on Fresh Direct's high prices in NY.
Friend, I'm so sorry to say this, but the tariffs are going to impact every sector. Every single sector. There is nothing that will not be affected because so much of what we use is imported. There is an argument to be made that this is a good reason to manufacture locally... but with a PLAN.
Can’t speak for the rest of the country, but here in the Southwest, the construction crews building new housing are almost all Latino. So expect some loss of workforce to drive up prices I’d guess? I’m no economist.
The irony is that "assembled in the US from Global sources" operators will have incentive to off-shore their assembling operations to minimize tariff exposure.
I feel this. Hoping for some good Black Friday deals. My PC’s from 2010, and while I’ve upgraded hardware over the years I’d really rather not have to wait until at least 2029 to be able to afford a replacement!
Is there a concern that subscriptions will increase in price due to general inflation, or are there specific policies (tariffs or otherwise) that will cause subscriptions to increase in price? (applying tariffs/import taxes to foreign software must surely be challenging if not impossible)
I was speaking from POV of general increase of all costs across the value chain. You raise an interesting question on the second topic and I’d be curious if maybe someone can speak to it from a tech policy side. One thing is for certain, the cost of data storage is about to ⬆️
I'm working on doing exactly that. This year I already replaced my phone and my laptop, but I still haven't replaced my TEN YEAR OLD desktop for work. My wife reminded me of the looming tariffs and that I should just stop hemming and hawing and replace the damned thing already. Search in ON!
hey so uhh.. i'm your long lost cousin and i'll take two pcs to make up for the lost time. we used to play so much quake, runescape and some other old ass games
I had the same thought, just purchased some Christmas gifts and they're gonna be full of tech since it might be a while to find this good of a "deal" in the future
I just traded up my m1 macbook air for a new mac mini (I didn't really use it as a laptop much anyway) and I gotta say that for non-gaming stuff, that's a LOT of computer for the price (so long as you don't need more than the base model... Apple pricing is evil when it comes to upgrades). no regrets
I built a new computer to replace by 15 year old desktop. Would *not* have wanted to add tariffs on top of the already-huge price tag.
I still need to replace my 8-year-old phone but my savings would be uncomfortably-low if I were to do that.
Part of why I bought a new mac yesterday. I've planning to for a while, and just decided to stop procrastinating. Half considering trading in my phone, even though it's still current.
Just ordered the new backyard shed kit well ahead of Spring build for the same reason. Same with new laptop. Now off to upgrade the phones while that’s still “free”. S/b okay then unless a major appliance goes belly-up. Fingers crossed…
If we are a bit lucky maybe the mythical creature event of corporations returning to America will be huge and big (it won’t they will just go to other countries)
I was going to wait until our dying tv completely died before we bought a new one but I just went and picked up two 65” TVs (Hisense brand, they’re just fine) for $380 each.
I've been watching my streaming services on a 27" monitor through the desktop since a lightning strike took out everything attached to the TV (but NOT the TV). If it's at the right distance, it works well...for ONE person.
I really need to get the 32" monitor out of storage and hooked up, though.
It fried stuff from one end of the house to the other, randomly. It's been over a year and I STILL haven't replaced a bathroom fan or garage door opener because the work needed is in the attic and this is Florida, so that leaves me pretty much Nov-Jan to do it comfortably.
Are you THE John Scalzi ?
I should have moved yo Bsky before, Old Man's War was my first contact with your work and I read lots of great things from you.
Donnie was throwing out way bigger numbers than that. I believe at one point he said a thousand percent. More evidence, as if any were needed, that he has no idea what a tariff even is.
Dell makes their PCs in Mexico, so you won’t be hit with the tariffs as bad with them. When I custom ordered my Alienware PC it was made and shipped from their facilities in Mexico.
And this is a good month of sales. The best time to buy a PC is now. The next best time will probably be when the encroachment of entropy on society has slowed down a bit 🫠
I'm trying to justify buying some gaming upgrades to my current computer. I don't exactly "need" them, but I've "wanted" them for years. Are $1000 worth of computer parts too much to ask for for birthday and Xmas?
You watch - BF WILL be huge because lots of people are hedging their bets, and Mango Mussolini will spew that BF is YUGE because people are optimistic about him taking over.
And WHEN BF 2025 is in the dumps, he'll figure out how to blame Dems, and MAGAts will believe him.
Don't forget the whole Taiwan situation either. If China actually starts something, a LARGE percentage of the world's chips (especially recent chips on newer processes) may suddenly become unavailable. (COVID style.)
That is an *if*, but China has *said* they will. 🤷♂️
Check name brands and where they manufacture too. Vaccum cleaners for example. Either Dyson or Shark had tarrifs but the other didn't. I cannot remember which company benefited from that at the time.
Glad I just got one a few weeks ago. Hopefully 2TB takes me a while to fill up. It’s what I always think and it always goes faster than I think it will.
We were planning 3 remodeling projects over the next 1-2 years and were just getting our savings together- just told the contractor it’s all on hold 4-5 years depending on tariffs - he said he would have to delay as well due to likely worker shortage
Already purchased , computers, flooring for my home , travel overseas, working on airfares and new roof prices . Going to get everything going before the change of administraions .
Ha! I bought a laptop earlier today for the same reason. Mouse + keyboard as well, even though I don't currently need them. Anything with chips is going to get expensive.
Hello everyone. Anyway in Jesus Christ name you are healed of all your mental and physical and emotional and spiritual ills and diseases. In Jesus Christ name you are healed.
I know...I need to get new phones for the family, a camera for my son, and some other miscellaneous computer equipment. I need to take advantage of all the sales before inauguration.
Yes, I'm looking to upgrade both our iPads...I just bought a new micro-desktop... hopefully the phones hang in there for a bit longer... like 4 more years.
This will really hurt anyone updating their kitchen appliances or building a new home. And you just can't predict when your refrigerator will stop working...
What's gonna be hysterical is when these young gamer guys, who voted for Trump, want to buy ANYTHING new! They are going to be 40% to 60% higher because of #Trump tariffs!
They voted for him after Elon said it was going to be bad! I hope their family isn't on SS & Medicare!
the kid & i got new iphones on sunday. both our phones were a bit squirrelly but i figured we’d wait till next year. nope. replaced the dw last week too. looking into a new dryer as well. bought a pair of sneaks last week & we’re set. economic boycott begins january 1.
I am already recommending this to friends and family.
And honestly not because of tariffs, but because I fear that Taiwan gets in trouble when Trump won't stop Xi and for sure won't help.
I’m buying all my essential things that are produced in China before the end of this mo.
When these MAGA prepaid phones break, they are going to be made their phone is 50% more expensive. I believe even Qualcomm makes their chips overseas.
Talking to my husband about buying all new appliances and just storing them for when we need them. We just bought new computers so we should be okay for 4 years.
I cant wait till 70% of the MAGA base finds out their Obama care is being cancelled, or they been removed off welfare. Musk warned them some would have to endure for the country to get better.
My husband is notoriously bad with taking care of his laptop. The top is broken. I told him if he wants to replace it he’d better do it before January.
A Tariff is a fee placed upon domestic companies that import products. Companies need to make money so they just charge the tariff fee to the consumer. Basically, you are paying the government 60% more for things you need. There are more implications but that’s the gist.
This is why economics should be a required class starting at elementary school. Things like why credit scores are important and that credit cards actually have to be paid back.
You only benefit from getting your credit cards to the point where you pay off the entire balance each month, provided you don't close them all. Like I'm a tad worried about paying off my car in a couple of months, but I haven't carried a balance on cards since I was 21 and I'm in the 800s.
Get ready for yours to drop AS SOON AS you pay off the car.
The last time my score dropped was when we bought a car and were paying by check, and the BASTARDS said they wanted to CHECK my credit, but ran a loan application instead w/o telling me.
My husband recommended this to me the other day. I have a 7 year old laptop that I love, but I think its Ethernet may be failing. Still, I was planning to live with it as long as possible until he prompted that.
My husband and I were just talking about this the other day. We’ve both been hanging onto our tech for a long time (my poor laptop is almost 9), but as much as we’re cringing over the cost, it’s going to hurt a lot less now than it will this time next year.
Not sure which is worse, tariffs or the Dell exorbitant add-ons if you want any sort of warranty protection -- essentially doubled the list price of two Dells I ordered yesterday.
I feel your pain. Since Brexit everything has gone up in price here in the UK.
Although I get the feeling that "Black Friday" will take on a new meaning this year.
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I wound up doing that because I couldn't find any with all the hardware I wanted in it.
(Yes, I know about Framework. Great concept, not for me)
Retail has totally broken since the last time I went shopping, and all my go-to retailers are either out of business or totally fascist now.
That said, reviews can be sparse, so check reviews elsewhere then buy from them.
They went from retailer to marketplace years ago. It may be a different ecco-system of vendors than Amazon, but I am not aware of it being better.
I'm searching for old school, with inventory and people who can support it.
Spending a day browsing the showroom and talking to experts is exactly the vibe I'm seeking.
Online killed so many good retailers, but I'm glad B&H still survives.
Might even kill off Detroit, cars are full of computers, chips, gadgets. And the other makers that import entire vehicles for assembly in the USA.
The alleged idea is to bring manufacturing of those parts back to the US, but that process will take decades, but prices will skyrocket immediately.
So, what's going to happen first, are shortages. Of everything. And prices will go crazy on the stuff that's still around.
oh hell. toilet paper. They make it here, but it won't stop the hoarding.
I suspect they will get some increase, but not 20%
There's no way the increase will be _less_ than the tariff.
Made by igus
Terrific breakthrough I think
It will cost $2100 next year.
A dozen normal large eggs - $4.79.
A dozen fancy Pasture raised large eggs - $10.99
Some are complaining about the price of the latter, which makes no sense. And in stores the regular eggs are less, this is based on Fresh Direct's high prices in NY.
Currently living with my parents while in grad school to save money, but obviously I want to get a place of my own sooner or later.
This is going to hurt everyone, for no reason, and no benefit except to the very wealthiest who will be getting a tax cut.
Zhang sells to Smith for $10. Smith resells for $20. Profit. Tariffs come along. They will consume 50% of whatever Smith sells for.
This eats Smith's profits. How does he recuperate? Raising prices.
Paid... by the consumer.
Tariffs are a tax you pay to buy things made overseas. End of discussion. YOU are the one paying more.
Hate to be a downer, but seriously, if that asshat does HALF of what he says, it will take a decade to recover from it. Or more.
As it is, I'm avoiding shipping charges by driving a hundred miles to pick it up.
I still need to replace my 8-year-old phone but my savings would be uncomfortably-low if I were to do that.
Extended family getting those too?
also anything that requires aluminum or metal buy it now
OR a chip of any kind
I guess I should rethink it.
I really need to get the 32" monitor out of storage and hooked up, though.
And go get that 32 inch. Bigger is better.
And sorry about that lightning strike, that had to suck.
So yeah, it suuuuuucked.
Are you THE John Scalzi ?
I should have moved yo Bsky before, Old Man's War was my first contact with your work and I read lots of great things from you.
I don't want to advertise Intel NUCs... 😁
Are tarriffs the new "it was on sale"?
And WHEN BF 2025 is in the dumps, he'll figure out how to blame Dems, and MAGAts will believe him.
That is an *if*, but China has *said* they will. 🤷♂️
On the other hand, unfortunately, it looks like I have less need for it. So maybe I'll get a refurb iPad.
Le sigh.
They voted for him after Elon said it was going to be bad! I hope their family isn't on SS & Medicare!
And honestly not because of tariffs, but because I fear that Taiwan gets in trouble when Trump won't stop Xi and for sure won't help.
When these MAGA prepaid phones break, they are going to be made their phone is 50% more expensive. I believe even Qualcomm makes their chips overseas.
#warminguppopcorn
7 years after you pay off a mortgage is "fun" for your score.
Get ready for yours to drop AS SOON AS you pay off the car.
The last time my score dropped was when we bought a car and were paying by check, and the BASTARDS said they wanted to CHECK my credit, but ran a loan application instead w/o telling me.
Although I get the feeling that "Black Friday" will take on a new meaning this year.