My last PC I ran for, I’d guess, 7 years. Built a new one about a year ago.

I could see upgrading the GPU in a few years. But otherwise I’ll probably run it until it breaks. Hardware has a pretty long useful life these days. Assuming you don’t run an OS that pushes planned obsolescence.

Reporting in with a hassle free printer like some other commenters.

I have a Canon monotone LaserJet MFP I bought at a big box store with no prior research like four or five years ago. Been great. Always just works.

Long time and still current hater of all things Apple here.

I have to use a locked down enterprise managed Windows 11 laptop for work. If given the choice of that or a locked down enterprise managed Mac, I’d switch in a heartbeat.

Here’s an HDD synth project for that very thing I saw the other day! Though probably won’t work for your use case, admittedly. It’s intended for retro systems and goes in an ISA slot, and isn’t available for sale yet anyway.

YouTube video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sASOfpzPjxg

Project page: https://www.strifestreams.com/hddsynth

I got a chuckle out of “swap boil”

I know some folks in the SCA. Which I had no idea stood for “Society of Creative Anachronism” until just now. It’s a bit too much for me, but I’m glad they exist.

There’s one in my neck of the woods too. And I’ve gone before. Been a while though, didn’t even occur to me as an option. Thanks for reminding me!

Are there any you’ve gone to in the Midwest that you thought were particularly exceptional?

That does appeal to my interests! And I love Portland and have some friends that live there too. I’ll try to make that happen.

This looks awesome! Thanks for the recommend.

In fairness, before I speak to it. I haven’t been to any type of gaming con/expo, big or small. But I’ve seen pictures and some video of PAX and it gives me the same kind of vibes as comic con, which made me iffy on those types of events.

Your description piqued my interest so I checked them out. I want to go! A month is a bit too soon (just got back from a trip) but I set myself a calendar reminder to check it out next year.

Edit to add: The con is April 17 – 19 @ Crowne Plaza for any curious passersby.