Advancing technology : good or bad ???

Statement:
Many electronics manufacturers intentionally create computers that will become obsolete within a few years. Consumer groups complain that this practice results in a waste of resources. Computer-makers claim that by shortening the product life cycle, they can quickly improve their products, incorporate rapidly-advancing technologies and ultimately lower the cost to the consumer.

Which position do you find more compelling? Explain your position using reasons and/or examples drawn from your personal experience, observations or readings.

My Argument :
I found the position of the electronics manufacturer more compelling. There is no denying of the fact that there will always be an incessant growth in any field you name whether it is electronics, aviation, motor-vehicles, communications, cell phones and what not. Even though, consumers are the one who have to bear the cost involved in the growth of the technology but it is them who are benefited largely at the same time.

For example, I bought a PC which costs me 1000$ in the year 1999 when I joined my Masters degree in computer application. It has 5 GB of hard disk space and only 433 MB memory. This system was pricey but served my purpose to learn programs like C, COBOL and PASCAL during my college days. Things changed very fast when I started looking for job. Microsoft has already introduced DOTNET and after few months of struggle I secured a job in DOTNET. In 2006 I planned to buy another system which can run DOTNET because it requires a lot more things which my older system could ever have. Eventually I bought a laptop for 1000$ which has 120 GB of hard disk space and 2GB memory which is enormous upgrade from my previous PC for the same price. This new system can run any memory-hungry programs along with DOTNET. The point is technology will keep upgrading but consumers have to be smart enough to know their needs and not their wants.

Moving o to the serious issue about the waste of the resources, I did a simple thing by selling my old PC for around 100$; which implies that there are people who can still use the older one or can get some valuable parts out of it. Additionally, most of the computer parts are inexpensive and recyclable too. Definitely it pinches when you found that the HDTV you bought 2 months ago is now 200$ cheaper but that is the cost you need to pay if you want to walk along with technology and get the maximum fun out of it. Sometimes technology is fancy but sometimes it’s really urgent. So I should conclude by saying that follow the technology when you feel that you cannot do away without it.