Here is a list of electronic gadgets that I do not have to purchase because my PC can perform the same tasks. I am not claiming that I haven’t bought any of these things in the recent past or that I will never under any circumstances buy them in the future. I am just pointing out that many of us are still shelling out money to buy single purpose items that perform tasks that can be performed by a basic PC or laptop. It is a waste of money and materials.
- The most obvious one is a calculator. I had to buy a some hand-held calculators for my school aged kids but I generally go for the one on my computer desktop (mostly because I know where to find it).
- I don’t need to buy any stereo equipment. We are generally pretty bare bones with our computer purchases but the last time we bought one it was a ‘value package’ that came with adequate amplified speakers. Using the hard drive for music storage means that there is no need to buy CDs either.
- I don’t need to buy a TV. Streaming video over the internet has advanced to the point that television is arguably redundant for a lot of people. I do have a TV in my furnished apartment and I watch it every now and then, usually the news.
- I certainly don’t need to ever buy another audio recording device. As a teenager, I was obsessed with getting a 4-track tape recorder to do overdubs for my music compositions. I was never able to afford such a thing and I am glad that I delayed my gratification because when it finally arrived it was free. All I need is a basic microphone and a PC. GarageBand or Audacity have more editing functions than I could have imagined back when I was ogling clunky recording equipment in 80s guitar magazines.
- I am not a gamer. If I had a lot of free time and if there was something seriously wrong with outside, I could entertain myself adequately with browser based games. I don’t need a Wii, Playstation, or Gamecube.
Can you think of anything else that has been made redundant by the PC?
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February 27th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
ways to save on buying redundant things.
buy a 3in1 printer… most of them have sd card readers too. that saves you from, a scanner,copier,and sd card reader; and unneccesary cords for cameras and possibley a “photoprinter” which are usually crap anyway.
i must say, xboxs are a good way to integrate systems.. not necessary with for video. but handy if you have a number of people that want to watch the same things. my roommates use it all the time to stream video from netflix instant watch. to save on shipping things and save on plastic by less use of dvds.
a jump drive, or passport external harddrive saves on the need for burning dvds. personally i use my ipod as a harddrive as well; so i dont need a jumpdrive. i used to use my cameras sd card for data transport. but apple updated settings and now my mac will no longer let me do that.
i think the key is to by smart with your computer accessories. to think of things as multi-use. because most things can be but arent advertised as so.
February 27th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Thanks for the input Miche.
I should add that we realized we don’t need a dvd player because our son’s PS2 does double duty. You can play audio CDs on a PS2 as well.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Lighters always seem to run out of fluid at the wrong time. But if you bring extra lighters or matches,you will never be without fire. A Ziploc bag is great for keeping extra matches or lighters dry too.