On Sat, 15 Dec 2001  "Glenn R. Fong" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
>>> Remember the true test: anyone who has upgraded who
>>> would rather downgrade?

Well, that's actually a "joint test" as to whether somebody made a
rather expensive boo-boo, AND whether the old machine was more to their
liking. Ideally, lists like this help prevent those boo-boos, so the
absence of such doesn't really tell you much.

My job calls for building analytical models, such as, "when does one
refinance a mortgage?" Sitting on a more expensive loan is costly, but
here are big expenses with shifting. And if interest rates fall again
the week after the re-fi commitment, the borrower is stuck with a
better rate, but not as good as possible. How much of a drop before
it's cost-effective to re-fi?

The academic papers call this stuff "real options." Make a choice and
it's very expensive to undo it, so you probably live with the old
situation a bit longer than if you could try it and turn back the clock
immediately for no cost. So I like my 2400 OK, but I'd like more speed
and especially more capacity. Is it worth the cost to switch? (I just
WON'T cart both all over the country.) My comet WILL go the way of my
128K, 512K, ci, StarMax and 7300, just as my daughter's iMac & son's G4
will. Question only of when.

The general decision-making paradigm is to watch for enough additional
benefit (speed, capacity, flexibility, whatever) to justify the price
(dollar outlay, time to move files, hassle to unload the old). The
other ingredient is lessening the uncertainty: how much extra benefit
will I actually enjoy? That's where it's helpful to have these data
points like icebook SI scores, even blatant, bullheaded flames about
Machine X or Y. (You know who you are!)Yes, I'm human enough to want to
feel a bit smug about my approach, but mostly I am out collecting data
for a move that WILL come, sooner or later. I thought I'd pass on my
evaluations as a _quid_pro_quo_, to thank other listas for helping keep
me up to date.


----------
Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net!
A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables.
FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml>
Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400>

To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Need help from a real person? Try.  <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

----------
Dr. Bott  | 10/100 Ethernet for your 2400 is finally here!
MPC-100   | <http://www.drbott.com/prod/mpc100.html>

  RoadTools $30 PodiumPad available at Apple retail stores, $20 Traveler 
  CoolPad at Staples. Both in white for iBooks at <http://roadtools.com>

Midwest Mac Parts  ][  <http://www.midwestmac.com>  
After-market parts  for Macs.   ][  888-356-1104 ][

MacResQ Specials: LaCie SCSI CDR From $99! PowerBook 3400/200 Only $879! 
Norton AntiVirus 6 Only $19! We Stock PARTS! <http://www.macresq.com>

Reply via email to