What is your policy when buying new computer hardware?

[Arnox]

Specifically, do you like to buy the absolute latest and greatest, or do you like to wait a little bit while all the software kinks are ironed out first? Does it depend on your use case at all? If you do buy the latest hardware, what is your usual experience with it?

[manyroads]

Personally, I avoid certain vendors, routinely, and products (e.g. nVidia). New chipsets, video drivers, sound tools, BIOSes, etc. can and have caused me significant difficulties. It's a good idea to check Ubuntu-certified hardware options out (in my experience).

https://ubuntu.com/certified

[j2mcgreg]

Like @manyroads I actively avoid Nvidia. I also avoid Lenovo Idea Pads because the ones we get here in Canada are very cheaply made and I avoid Dells because to get a warranty repair, you first have to ship it to Dell Canada and then they ship it down to Dell USA. The whole process takes way too long. I then look at what models are currently available that meet my budget terms, pick what I think are the best three and then do a search using these parameters: make / model + linux + install to see if anyone has posted success stories or major problems with each of the three contenders. Finally I go to the store and try each of them out. When I purchased this HP 15, the other possibility, an Acer, lacked a dedicated Delete key! This is the sort of detail that you can only identify by physically visiting a store.

[gimcrack]

My rule of thumb. I stay away from spanking new hardware arrives. My builds always 2 or even 3 generations old from current. Two reason, Linux figure out how to run on that hardware efficiently, plus it's cheaper hardware compared to what's new on the current market. So I save money plus Linux is going to run on it. At least do your homework and only buy Linux compatible hardware. It takes the headache out of the equation plus easier on your wallet.

[MadMax]

I usually buy older and used hardware, since I don't need the power, it's cheap and re-using old stuff puts less stress on the environment as well. One good idea in that aspect is to always keep 2 PCs with similar hardware (like same CPU socket) around. Makes troubleshooting so much easier, just in case.

I also have a fable for vintage/retro cases

[thomasl]

I used to buy new (and always desktops) with a CPU in the upper quartile of performance and a good helping of RAM (in effect, I believed and still believe that RAM is an often underrated resource). I'd keep that PC for around 6-7 years and then repeat and rinse.

However, after 2015 I've stopped buying new and stopped buying desktops. I now only buy used, often refurb'd, items (almost all from ebay); and mobile CPUs have become so fast (given enough RAM) that I am quite happy with laptops these days. However, I still buy middle of the road CPUs though for my work profile faster CPUs are not really a must. One thing I always make sure is to buy devices with at least two RAM slots and no RAM soldered on board.

Re used PC or refurbs: I've bought six of those since 2015 and every single purchase was good, often very good or even pristine. The L14 I'm writing this on cost £170 on ebay, plus £26 for another 16GB RAM (for a total of 24GB) plus £34 for a 1TB NVME SSD. The laptop delivered was almost new, the battery is still at 105% of capacity, so it must have been used almost always on mains power.

(I did and do the same for smartphones and tablets (Android only). I've bought seven devices since 2015 and every one has been great. The first were two Sonys and they are getting a bit long in the tooth now but the others still do good service (I tend to upgrade older devices to recent LineageOS ROMs if I can). Two recent ones are even 5G compatible.)

In sum: I've saved certainly more than £1000 over those years and no bad experience at all. And as @MadMax has said, it also helps the environment.

[8bit]

A patient eye on eBay has proved fruitful for picking up 1.5 to 2.5 year old hardware at pennies on the dollar. Parts failure rate has been almost non existent, for me; usually it vendor error and not much of that.

2³bit

[CharlesV]

For me, I purchase a lot of windows machines for clients, so I will break things down into two categories:

Windows - I ONLY buy two vendors - HP and Lenovo, and in those its reviews, reviews and more reviews. Once I have locked in on something that looks promising then I start looking around at who has it - how much and *those* reviews. I have no issue purchasing new here, but again I stay with the two vendors.

Linux - Used or build I have purchased four new machines and had issues with all four on getting the latest. (Mint included). I have two vendors that I purchase used equipment from - mainly because they offer fast, simple support - and when there has been a problem, they fix it and offer up something for my trouble. (extra ram, or discount on the next etc.) Again here - HP or Lenovo. I flat out wont buy dell, I have taken in several on trade-in's and currently have one in my test rigs, but frankly most I have had have been junk. (A few exceptions.)

Building - If I am going to build a machine (All my desktops and a few select clients), then its Gigabyte mobo's, i7 or i9's, minimum of 16gb ram ( most 32gb), and Samsung or WD drives. I have a 'standard list' of the hardware I prefer, and I attempt to stay in that list. ( that includes fans, cases, etc)

For my 'gaming peeps' I run i9, RAID0 twin SSD's or NVME's, Flat out will not find anything faster - amazing speeds!

[Jakob77]

One good idea in that aspect is to always keep 2 PCs with similar hardware (like same CPU socket) around. Makes troubleshooting so much easier, just in case.

You can't imagine how much I agree with that.
I even want more than two.
Not just for finding hardware problems but also to establish confidence in the hardware so problems with more certainty can be isolated as software issues.

[Jakob77]

CharlesV

By the way did you just flame Dell.?
I have to defend. Dell rimes on well. lol
You just have to ask it and show a little more understanding to the computers personality.
For instance when I put one of my elder dells in dock and boot up, then the big screen sometimes stays black.
And that is where I have to ask..
So I open the lid and ask politely why the big screen is off.
And the answer is clearly from the little 'dellman' inside the laptop that he wants to show me his screen because I never look at it.
I admire it for a while and then I ask him please to stop pulling my leg when I close the lid, and I wish him a good day.
So I close the lid, and if his mood is normal the big screen will turn on nicely.
If not, and I have to ask a lot more than one time, it can end up in some kind of a cartoon quarrel but it is rear, and so far I win in the end. No need to be afraid of a Dell. Dell is well. ;-)
HPCompaq I stay away from, and I am a little skeptical to Fujitzu
I can agree to HP and Lenovo being really good.
If I needed a laptop a lot as a laptop I would buy a used Lenovo with a big screen and numeric keyboard, but it won't fit any of my Dell docking stations.