Three days ago I wrote about cable television, and how at my home we stream content from the internet for our viewing pleasure.  In the article, I mentioned our simple setup, including my trusty Toshiba Satellite laptop.  Not two days after the article was posted, my trusty Toshiba Satellite was no more.

After traveling to a dozen countries, streaming television for several months, and taking the beating of a small boys hands as he zoomed by in his Jeep walker, the poor Satellite threw in the towel. My wife paid just over $800 with tax for the laptop from WalMart in 2005, a great deal at the time.  Equipped with a 60GB Hard Drive, 512MB of RAM, and a HUGE 15″ Display, heck, it even played DVD’s! Cutting edge technology for 4 years ago!

That Toshiba Satellite was such a workhorse, that we decided to buy another one based on our great experience.  I mean, I had a 95 Camry and liked it so much that I bought a 97 Camry after I wrecked the 95.  I bought a 2003 Hyundai Elantra and liked it too so much that I bought a 2007 Hyundai Elantra after the 2003 had front end trouble.  Why not keep the tradition going on? Besides, change is evil.

I know all about how computers get cheaper.  I’m not telling you anything everyone doesn’t already know.  I could tell you how this new Satellite has a 160GB Hard Drive as opposed to the 60GB on the old one.  How this has a 2Ghz Celeron, where the other has a 1.4Ghz.  And the RAM, even after upgrading to the maximum was 1GB, and here I have 2 whopping gigabytes!  And not only does it play DVD’s, it can burn them too!

I’m all about new technology and saving money.  I like both equally, especially when I get more for less each and every time.  This model Satellite I picked up yesterday from Best Buy for $379.  Just over $400 with tax.  That’s almost exactly half the cost of the purchase in 2005, with nearly four times greater specs.  50% savings, four times the value, seems like a no brainer to upgrade.

Are there any other sectors besides technology where a purchase is half the price for twice (or more) the product?  Not automobiles.  Not food.  Definitely not the finance sector.

So, my wife and i are already planning our dream purchase for 2013. We’re going to get the laptop with a 17″ Flexible OLED Display,  500GB SSD, 8GB PC12800 RAM, and a Blu-Ray RW.   Can’t Wait!

Since the majority of the old laptop has died, I’ve parted out what’s useable and listed it on eBay, bid on these relic pieces here.

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