Tom wrote in part:
 [...]
> the HP3000 did NOT have "built in/planned obsolesence", so
>
> What OS has built in obsolesence?

I'm not talking about the operating system -- I'm talking about the
HARDWARE.  Marketing and "buzz" has created a perceived need for
"faster" systems in the commodity arena, so commodity systems have
evolved.  The HP 3000 has "kept up" with this to a degree [faster
processors, etc.] but often what a customer buys originally actually
manages to meet their needs for a considerable length of time.  The fact
that what you buy --today-- will have enough "horsepower" to meet your
needs --three to five years down the road-- is what I'm talkging about
by not having "built-in" obsolesence  [commodity PC's really don't need
to advance either, but as I said, marketing has created a perceived need
for newer/faster/better systems]


Let me take a contrarian view.  In fact, the HP3000 did have built
in/planned obsolescence (notice the spelling).  I am of course, talking
about the throttling issue that plagued the systems.  This really came
to light with the introduction of the A and N classes, systems built on
PCI architecture.  By that time, the systems were so fast that HP had to
artificially slow them down so as to create a "demand" for larger and
faster systems.

It is my belief this move, while not the deciding factor in the demise
of the 3000, contributed to it.

I would also state that anyone who buys computers nowadays, spending
money to make sure the machine will meet the needs for 3 to 5 years is
not using the funds properly.  It would be better to buy a machine to
meet your current and 12 months needs and then simply replace it with
another one the following year or so.  The machines keep getting cheaper
and faster every year.  This seems to only apply to servers.

For desktops and laptops, the point of diminishing returns was crossed
about 1999-2000.  At that time, the speed of the machines outstripped
any demand of the current software, unless you are into video editing or
hard-core gaming.  About the only thing that runs out now is disk space
and even that is now simply a side issue, except for video and digital
pictures.

About the only reason to get new personal machines now is for the new
features, especially in laptops.  It is not because of the CPU power
anymore.

Denys

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