I was wondering, when do you think it is approprieate to buy computers or other digitial devices?
After all, new computers come out every year/week/day/whatever, so when is the right time to buy any of it when chances are it’s going to be outdated pretty soon after you buy it?
Hmmm, tough one. I bought a Pentium 3 550 MHz in 1998, and it’s still working just fine. I did upgrade the memory from the standard 64 MB to the maximum of 386 MB, and I also installed a new sound card, an extra hard disk, and some other gadgets a few years ago. But other than that, it’s still standard, and fulfills my needs just fine. For how much longer, I do not know. It sure needs a new graphics card alright, and I’m wondering whether it wouldn’t be better to just get a new PC altogether. If I did, I probably wouldn’t opt for the fastest out there. I’d probably get something a little more affordable, like a Pentium 4 1.8 or 2.0 or something.
There is no right time. Apart from now. It is outdated before it hits the shelves, and that’s not going to change, maybe ever.
So the right time is now.
However, upgrading is usually unecessary for years. If you get a decently featured item, tyhen it should hold you in good stead for at least two years, maybe more, until things creep up and nudge you into upgrading again.
Assuming you don’t want the latest & greatest, 4 weeks after a gift buying period and 4 weeks after the new incremental technology is released. If those 2 pieces of advice contradict, then the second takes priority.
I buy a new computer about every 2 years. I usually go for what’s currently selling for about $1,500-$1,700, which translates to about middle of the line.
Of course, a lot depends on what you do with your computer. As a heavy game fanatic, both online and offline, my choices are based on the “recommended system requirements” for the majority of games out at the time. When my system is just meeting or begins to lag behind the “minimum requirements” for the newest games on the market, I start shopping.
If you need a new computer, there is no time like the present. However, what you should to do is evaluate your needs before investing in a new system. There is no sense in buying all the bells and whistles if your primary activities are word processing and surfing the web.
Try configuring a system for yourself at Dell.com or one of the other top manufacturers’ websites. It’s fun and informative. You can save yourself several hundred dollars by downgrading some options, and you’ll get a system more tailored to your needs.
Boxing Day sale? 
Anyway, there is not a general good time to buy a computer. Iif you are the tinkering type, you can keep buying things like older models of CPU right after they push some faster ones out. Never ever stay on the bleeding edge, or the only thing that’s going to bleed is your wallet.
I’ve had very good luck selling old digital goodies on eBay. That makes upgrading much less painful to the wallet. I sold my old Palmpilot for $100 when I bought a new one. I’m planning on selling my old camera when I get the new one I ordered yesterday.
To answer the question directly:
Stereo equipment: when it breaks
Computer: every two years or so, and I don’t try and keep up with games
Digital “toys”: once a year if I use them a lot (like digicam) but not so often if I don’t (like mp3 player)