If a computer costs $x now, how much will it cost later?

Question

I'm having trouble finding information on how much the price of computers decreases over time. Can someone please give me a site which would contain information on specifically how much a computer's price would go down over x amount of time depending on what it cost before.

It would greatly help if there were graphs of this information.
It would also be a great plus if you include a site which shows the same information, but with specific parts such as CPU, Graphic cards, etc.

Answers are greatly appreciated. (And worth 10 points. =D)

(If you are wondering why I am asking, it is because a computer i have my eye on now costs $1,100. I am curious to see how much cheaper it would be over time, to see if it would be worth it to wait for better technology, buy it later for a cheaper price, or simply buy it now.)

Answer 1

Nothing decreases at a steady rate. I assume you're not factoring depreciation into the devaluation of parts and or total cost. If you are custom building your computer each set of components will lose cost slowly over time.

Ex: Intel currently has out the E8500 (3.16GHz, 1333fsb) Core 2 Duo processor. Wholesale price is set $266. In Q3 Intel will be releasing the E8600 (3.33GHz, 1333fsb). Wholesale price for the E8600 will be $266, knocking the E8500 down to $180 (i believe).

Now each component in the computer will depreciate similarly over time, after the individual manufacturers produce newer components. You may see 20% decreases in components that are continued to be produced before they are EOL'd. Each retailer, e-tailer and all other sellers may price items at their own prices, within the manufacture's guidelines (if applicable).

Supposing you're purchasing a WHOLE computer (already assembled and sold as such) you may see a drop of $200. This all depends on the manufacturer again as they may have specials (10% off, 20% off, 50% off), or when they only have a couple left they will decrease price and sell off the rest at cost.



For the computer I would not expect to see it go much lower than $900 within the time it is sold. Keep in mind options such as eBay where you may purchase used equipment at reduced prices.



Best way to go with computers on a small budget is to buy semi-old (around 6-12 months, which keeps u relatively current, while achieving reduced prices).

Answer 2

You will never get an answer to your question, because computers keep getting faster and more powerful at about the same rate the prices come down. In a year, you won't be able to find the computer you have your eye on and you won't want to buy it anyway, because there will so many better ones around. Two years ago, the computer you want didn't exist and couldn't be bought at any price.



You might have better luck comparing the cost per megabyte of hard disks or RAM over time.

Answer 3

the price will always fall fast when new components are coming out everyday it is hard to say what the price of a given computer or laptop will be 3 months from now but usually they will have dropped

Answer 4

Computers depreciate. IT will cost less. The older it is the less it cost!