I’m scared financially.

I would suggest learning how to spell 'tarrifs' first on your list.

Trump is out of his psychopathic mind and doesn't know his ass from his elbow. Do what you need to do.

Unless you are doing video editing or gaming, you do not need a state of the art desktop computer if you are just using it for emails, the web etc. A new budget machine will easily outperform anything made over 12 years ago. Maybe look into getting a good used one thats a couple of years old, they depreciate pretty hard

If you need a new computer buy it now OP…..god knows what Trump will do next

[quote] Should I simply rack up the credit card debt as much as I can and get a new one before tarrifs make things much worse?

Yes, why not? Credit card debt is always such a comfort in times of economic uncertainty.

If your computing needs are basic enough that a desktop has lasted you 12+ years, there's no need to rack up much debt in replacing it. Depending on what you use it for, simple alternatives will probably suffice.

Will we even need computers in death camps? Kinda of think not…

Note, the article's preview says 2022 but the article itself is for 2025.

Racking up credit card debt you can't pay off is a good way to waste money and ruin your credit rating.

Ask your friends and family if they have one they're not using.

Most retailers will let you pay over time. You should also shop around for lower interest rate credit cards.

I like the advice but one of the reasons I still have a functioning desktop at all after 13 or so years is that it was so souped up. Computer people I’ve chatted with have said that it does make a difference to have the largest memory etc. I just fear that suddenly in the middle of the summer I’ll be without a computer. And yes, I’m old and have poor vision, large and even overly large desktops are best for someone like me.

Have you shopped around much yet? Memory is much cheaper now than it was 12 years ago.

You can refurbish your existing computer with new components. That might save you some money.

R12/ OP memory and hard drives can easily be upgraded, especially memory. If you have poor vision I suggest using a flat screen TV as a monitor rather than buying a large purpose made monitor which cost a lot more. I use a 40 in 4K Samsung LCD TV as a monitor which I picked up used for $295, may get something even cheaper in the US

President Musk will be coming out with the new Tesla desktop very soon. Only $10,000, but will be the only one available in the US.

Yeah should we just run up our personal debt and wait for the collapse and run away from it…

[quote]You can refurbish your existing computer with new components. That might save you some money.

Apples don't do that.

Go get a computer. Save the money before they go up. That's what credit cards are for. I would put it on a zero interest card or go to Best Buy and finance free for up to a year. Pay it off monthly. Problem solved. Next?

thanks

R4 Trump is proof there is no existence of God.

R3 has given you the best advice: look for used computers. You will save a lot of money that way.

I am very happy with my new iPad. It came with a keyboard cover case and does everything I need it to do. I bought it at the Apple Store and I'm making monthly payments using their credit card. They even tell me how much I need to pay every month so I don't rack up interest. I love it.

[quote] is that it was so souped up

So just put more soup in your current PC. Duh.

R23. I have one I need a real computer though.

R24, it’s an apple. We don’t do that

Last week I puked up the money and bought a MacBook Air and tires in one swoop at Costco.

One trick is Best Buy open box for cheapo desktops or NewEgg.com for deals. Or make a fun trip to the Apple Store and buy one on an Apple Card.

I’m afraid if you’re looking for cheap and have your heart set on Apple it ain’t gonna happen. I used Dell desktops for years at work and they were always easy to upgrade/fix. Even I could do it.

If you don't do major things with your computer (like gaming), how about a ChromeBook? They are for basic computing--like emails, and cloud based MS Outlook (Word, Excel, PPT).

They go for about $100-200

R27, that was my plan

R28, no, i need to do big project data entry, think huge orchestral scores with many staves. I need a large screen. And enough memory

I have a Mac Mini that's about 4 years old. It replaced a 14 year old iMac. I also have a cheap mini-PC (~$300) connected to my TV that is mainly used as a Plex server (wouldn't have bought it otherwise). I can still use it like a regular PC if I needed to. I have a cheap wireless mouse and keyboard connected by Bluetooth or wifi. That said, I almost exclusively use my iPad. It's connected wirelessly to my printer. I don't think I've used an actual computer for months.

Refurbished computers carry the same warranty as new computers but are much cheaper

R27 mentioned NewEgg.com I had never heard of it so I checked it out. Some nice bargains....for example:

Good to know

Buy a $300 Asus laptop and then replace it in two or three years. That's a better problem than buying something state-of-the-art and keep it for over a decade.

That is precisely what I’d like to avoid

OP: Things to consider....you absolutely need a new computer. Twelve years is a long run. Things will go wrong after such a long time. A device of some sort is how we communicate and work with each other. So, you've got to have one.

Regarding tariffs, hold off for a few days or a couple of weeks before buying to see where the tariffs on China will land. The 10 percent tariffs may be put on hold with China just as the 25 percent were put on hold for Canada and Mexico. Trump is an idiot and totally caved to Canada and Mexico when he saw the stock market plunge yesterday. He may do the same thing when he sees how much China retaliates with its own tariffs.

Do your research now. If possible, go talk with sales reps at Best Buy, Costco, etc., to see what they have in inventory now and if/when they will be raising their prices. Find out what's available and your options now.

Lastly, aside from prices, you may have to upgrade your computer this year anyway. As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop servicing computers with Windows 10. You will need to upgrade to Windows 11 by Oct 14. Your computer with Windows 10 will still work after Oct 14; however, Microsoft will stop servicing, upgrading and sending out alerts for Windows 10 after Oct 14. It's only a matter of time before Windows 10 is obsolete. Some current computers with Windows 10 will allow you to install and upgrade to Windows 11. However, older computers may not be compatible to upgrade and will require you to get a new computer.

So don't panic yet, You have options, but yes, you will have to take some sort of action regarding tariffs (or not) and upgrading to Windows 11.

Thanks for being so sympathetic. One of the issues is that it is a mac, and they have gotten quite a bit more souped up (sorry for the technical terminology) since 2012, and a LOT more expensive. I’d be open to owning a used computer, but I really liked having a nice one that lasted so long, I’d love to repeat that if I could

My bank called me today and wants a meeting to advise me. That's new and scary.

About what?

You don’t need a computer! Just use your mindpower instead, OP, and then you can literally open your doors and pin down your obstacles!!

What bank calls you personally.

r42, Nigerian.

I want to know why OP has a job that requires a souped up computer, but doesn’t make enough money for a souped up computer. Those two things don’t usually go together.

Troll farm in Northern Macedonia, R44? Or Myanmar?

r42, mine does if there is a fraud attempt

r44, they don't. I teach and I am also a freelance classical musician. I make ends meet, always have, but don't have a lot of discretionary funds to buy a $3,000 computer

Hearing FDIC is next and should move money to credit union??? Maybe just jump out the window like in1920’s?

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity, OP. Are you sure it would really cost $3k to get what you want? That seems high.

Another possibility to consider - keep what you have for now, but also get a Chromebook or used laptop that can do the minimum up and running.

Most of us won’t be needing computers in a few short days-tragic but true.

Hi OP, I think there are many excellent solutions here. I know nothing about computers, but I have heard of refurbished computers which are used but in excellent shape, which are much cheaper than a new one.

Credit card debt might make you nervous,

Best wishes and I hope you find the right computer for you.

[quote]Are you sure it would really cost $3k to get what you want? That seems high.

for an Apple desktop, yeah. I could look at used ones though

I’m looking at refurbished ones and they are a LOT cheaper. I wonder how reliable they are - I’ll admit, I love apple care

R53 if the refurbishing outfit is any good they should offer a warranty, you could also ask about buying an extended warranty for whatever you buy off them

nice rich friend is helping me out, his five year old Desktop computer is up for grabs, For free!

thank goodness for friends

Glad to hear that OP, I've done similar for friends in the past, I work in IT so often have old computers etc to pass on to those that need them

Right, this person is the same, actually has two used desktops to lend out

Absolutely do NOT buy a "state of the art" machine and also try not to buy on a credit card.

R38 Macs used to be much more expensive compared to the market and consumer buying power, 20-30 years ago, to today. Those desktop Macs cost a FORTUNE then. I know because I would buy Mac products then. MacBook Airs are everywhere for dirt cheap and they are fine machines.

R58, why? I did and it served me really well for over 13 years

R59 I think back in the 1980s an Apple Lisa cost like $10,000 and it was the size of a suitcase.

OP, I needed a new car and bought one today. Just under the tariffs, go for it.

First of all I don't think the tariffs will be that bad. But since any price increase is not good, I think we should definitely buy electronics and cars now. And buy used cars. OP is there a particular reason you want a desk top? IMO, a Laptop will suffice and you can get a nice new one for less than $800. Best Buy and Costco has great prices on them. Also TV sets. YOu can get a 55 inch TV set for under $600. Do it now.

It's possible to get a second hand one, or a refurbished one at a substantially lower price. Check your local computer repair stores, they usually have decent recent desktops for a good price.

Hold me, David--I'm financially scared.

You probably don’t need a new computer. Just get a smart phone. I haven’t used one for anything but work in years

The plus side of being old is that most things don't scare you anymore. I'm buying things.

R60 - Not R58 here, but don't buy an expensive computer these days because more money doesn't mean more quality. I bought a high-end notebook in 2017 for $2200 but by 2019 it was trash. The hinge broke, the backlit keyboard stopped lighting, the bezel started separating from the screen, and then the power supply suddenly died. The computer was 4 months out of warranty. I was quoted $700 for repairs. I junked it.

Computer components have stopped progressing like they did a decade or two ago. Most of the market expansion has been in cheaper computers like netbooks/Chromebooks, that use cheaper components. Buy as much computer as you need, but not much more. There's no benefit to it.

There are plenty of under $500 maybe even under $400 laptops that will serve you well for years if you take care of them. And if they're cheap pieces of shit, then so much the better that you didn't spend a large amount of money. Costco and Sam's Club offer extended warranties with most computer purchases at no extra charge. There are desktop computers at a similar price point.

And then there's the matter of interest. Best Buy offered me a card over xmas with a 37% APR lol. Why pay interest if you don't have to?

I still use a desktop. It's an HP Pavilion Windows 10 all-in-one with 1 terabyte (1,000GB) . I purchased it in 2020 and it still works like a dream. I think I paid $1,400 for it.

However you are in luck, I see a newer HP model HP All-in-One 27-cr0000m, 27" . It's brand new and you can buy directly from HP, normally at $769. is on sale for only $529 (president Day sale is still going) . That is $240 off. If this is in your price range and you want an excellent quality desktop PC with 500GB storage, this may be a good option.

People, keep up, the issue has been resolved.

R66, r63, yeah, i need to do data stuff on a big screen on a regular basic. Sorry. Maybe I’m just old, but a laptop doesn’t cut it. I can even see getting one of those fancy computers that is simply the box from apple and getting a big panel screen with it. No laptop for me. But I do use a tablet.

Thanks, R70. I missed that R55 post was by the OP.

I missed it

The issue has been resolved and we must now focus on saving democracy.

R74 Oh, no. Too late!

As of today I don’t see bare store shelves. Was the threat just to increase sales or will bare shelves be here soon?

HIgh end machines using the current generation of GPUs and CPUs are still hard to come by.

You can get last gen Nvidia 4000 series GPUs and 14th gen intel processors, but Nvidia 5000 and 15th gen are not readily available.

R76 CNN reporting Chinese cargo ships arriving half full and zero ships heading for Ca. You better hurry up and stock up on Brawny.