I can count on one hand the number of new tech items I have purchased in my lifetime.
A desktop "Compaq" computer in the late '90's.
A second desktop computer, a "Dell", in the mid-2000's.
A new laptop "Acer" computer in the mid-2010's.
And most recently, a laptop/tablet combo, a "Microsoft Surface Pro 7+" in late 2023.
It was a floor/demo model that was on sale at Costco.
I had driven all the other models into the ground; had them until the very end. Their OS (operating systems) had all reached end of support and life. They had all become grindingly slow and worryingly unreliable.
It was them or me.
After backing up all important documents and photos, they went to the great beyond.
In the interim, I have taken on some scratch and dent computers and refurbished second hand models too.
In the interest of upcycling, recycling, saving the economy and money too.
Someone, a wise person, once said, you get what you pay for.
My first "deal" was on a scratch and dent Dell laptop for my new in-office office at the real estate brokerage.
I was so excited to have my own office - I definitely needed a laptop!
Unbeknownst to me, it only had a very small memory - and it wasn't too long before it didn't even have enough memory to get the latest Windows 10 updates!
Well, that laptop now sits in an old computer bag, ready to be used as a last resort, and not fully trusted by me anymore as who knows what viruses may have gotten in, as I couldn't even perform a virus scan with my free Avast anti-virus software!
Lesson learned.
Always get the most GB you can afford!
My next foray was a refurbished Toshiba laptop with a shiny red top and a glittering silver keyboard!
Oh, the things I could write on that!
It would inspire me every time I opened it up; ready to pen my latest thoughts and opinions and maybe even a book or two!
I couldn't wait to get it home and take it for a spin. I was obsessed.
I got home and started writing - and lo - some of the keys didn't work.
In fact, a diagonal string of letters absolutely did not work.
I took it back to the store - a computer repair shop - and he was so sorry, but it could not be fixed. A new keyboard would cost more than the laptop. And that was that.
But he offered me a replacement: an old boat of a laptop, complete with DVD drive! An HP ProBook with dozens of ports of all shapes and sizes, Windows 10 installed, a ton of memory, and a lovely brushed bronze colour to boot. Never mind the small dents in the top.
I sighed, and accepted the replacement, which he was happy to give to me in exchange for the malfunctioning Toshiba, no extra cost, even though it was more than the Toshiba.
I had told him I was obsessed with that Toshiba; he said I would soon be obsessed with that HP too.
I severely doubted it.
But home I went with it.
And it wasn't long before I really loved it.
Albeit a bit slow, it seemed trustworthy, and helped me with both work in all capacities, and writing too.
Then it started to get a bit too slow.
Turning it on every day was becoming a chore; I would wait and wait until the little circles stopped spinning, until it decided to connect to the internet.
And that became spotty at best - it would often just randomly kick me off the connection - sometimes in the middle of an important Zoom meeting.
I couldn't have that.
Another computer repair person said it was the internet connection that was at fault.
I knew better.
And anyways, Windows 10 was becoming near its end of life soon with support ending in late 2025.
A visit to the Hock Shop found me another refurbished little beauty - an original Microsoft Surface tablet/laptop with a purple suede keyboard that neatly folded upwards onto the screen, which stood up pertly on a little "kickstand" type support.
It had Windows 8.1 installed, and the salesperson at the Hock Shop told me in no uncertain terms that it was definitely not supported anymore by Microsoft.
No matter.
It was purple - who wouldn't want a purple computer?!?!
I took it as a sign that it was meant to be; he even gave me a better "deal" than the advertised price because there was some dirt on the keyboard.
Home I went and that little Surface served me quite well - for a few months.
Then it became so antiquated I couldn't even access the internet, let alone my emails.
And now it sits on a shelf, still looking perky on its kickstand, its purple suede keyboard snuggled tightly up to the screen.
I can't bear to hide it away.
Another refurbished Samsung mini-tablet bit the bullet before even a month was out.
I have learned my lesson.
You always get what you pay for.
When my patience ran its last run with my old HP ProBook, off to Costco it was!
I had some gift cards, and I was about to put them to good use.
And there it was: a beautiful, nearly new , Microsoft Surface Pro7+; a floor model, but it was on sale!
When I expressed interest, the salesperson immediately gave me another $100 off the sale price.
It was meant to be.
A demonstration only cemented the fact that this little computer with its nifty little kickstand design had been waiting for me; had my name on it.
The salesperson carefully detached it from the display area, painstakingly putting it into its box, complete with stylus in case I wanted to actually write on the screen.
Another salesperson cleaned it thoroughly, wiping away any unwanted fingerprints and smudges on the screen and detachable keyboard.
It is now my new most favourite work toy.
I can do all I need to do workwise on it, and play too!
I can even watch videos and movies - it is so fast!
I only now have to wait mere nano-seconds before it is raring to go after I open the keyboard, flipping it downwards off the screen, as opposed to the typical laptop design where the screen is lifted upwards off the keyboard.
It is easy-peasy, fast and furious, bright and bold, and I am inspired.
It was money well spent; not cheap at all, in fact it probably cost as much as ALL the technology I have purchased in my lifetime, new and refurbished!
But the time I am not spending waiting for it to start, to connect, is worth its weight in gold.
Time is money, and I did not want to afford to wait for an old pc to spin its gears anymore.
I soon happened upon a bright red keyboard that was on sale at another office supply store. That had my name on it too - it was a quarter of its regular price - and I took it home and attached it to the Surface Pro7+.
It fit like a glove - the backlit keys provided instant inspiration for my thoughts.
Almost making up for that lovely red Toshiba that was not meant to be for me.
I am smitten with this new technology - the speed - the apps - the programs.
And it has Windows 11, which should take me through the next several years, providing Bill Gates doesn't have another edition up his sleeve just yet.
And so, for now, old tech, while it had its moments and served its purpose, has gone by the wayside.
And although I am ever grateful for the lessons learned and devices experienced, there is nothing better than new technology which is up to speed, in more ways than one.