Worst Tech mistake you have ever made?

[vanwazltoff]

My most disappointing tech purchase would probably have to go to the Antech Kuhler H20 620 closed-loop water cooler. I had just built my first rig a few months before, and didn't know much about computer hardware. I wanted to overclock my AMD Phenom II X6 1100t (also another bad purchase, but I partially had known that) and I saw a couple reviews on YouTube, thought it would be a good cooler, and bought it. 

 

It turned out to be crap. I've heard mixed opinions about Antec's Kuhler line since, but the unit I got was horrible (I avoid CLC now anyway). I think with the 1100t running at stock, it maxed with prime95 at like 80 C, or something like that. I returned it almost right away, and it put a damper on my excitement to finally be able to overclock. 

 

I replaced it with the CM Hyper 212 EVO, which would be one of my best tech purchases. That thing had my 1100t cooled to 57 C running at 4ghz. 

my antec kuhler 620 is running like a champ, i have a daily overclock of 4.7ghz on an i5-3570k, i did have to lap it though, my high temps are high but i never stress out the cpu enough to get it hot

[Kangoshi5389]

For me it would have to be purchasing a pre-built computer back when I did not have much knowledge on how to build my own, mind you this back in 2008 when things were not yet as easy as they are now. Everytime I remember I purchased a pre-built computer from Fry's Electronics for over 1,000 USD, I still think what I could have build for that price.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Kangoshi5389

[LAwLz]

If games count then Duke Nukem Forever: Balls of Steel Edition

Last time I preorder a game...

 

If that doesn't count then I'd have to say some crappy controller I bought to play emulators with. Turns out that the second analog joystick is actually the same as pressing the four buttons on the right side (it looks like a PS3 controller). The D-pad is one of the worst I've ever used as well. I ended up just getting a wired Xbox 360 controller (which is still crap because of the God awful D-pad, but still better than whatever crap I bought first).

The D-pad on the Xbox One controller looks really good and if it is, then I'll get it for emulators as soon as it's compatible with Windows.

[ComputerNoob]

 

2. HP G62 laptop.Replaced the battery around 4 times and still it dosent last for more than 45s, hinges broken, webcam not working , mic not working , overheats like crazy

.

Worst notebook ever. Battery lasts me 30 minutes if im lucky. Hinges are broken for me as well. And it also overheats like crazy for me.

[T3hDud3]

My Xbox 360.Wasted at least $500 for something I rarely used.

[TheProfosist]

I bought a transformers soundwave mp3 player the last day at a convention. After toying with it once I got home it ended up doing nothing but turning on and I could do nothing about returning it really. About a year later I found out like a huge % were bunk just like mine.

 

Edit: It also used miniSD which you imagine how easy that was to track down even then.

[LogicalDrm]

Windows Vista

 

I forgot that one, +1.

 

Basicly anything with price 1/3 of mainstream makers price. Including headsets, earphones and mp3 player. Last one cost 35€ and was rubbish. Radio didn't work, sound quality was worst than anything I've ever heard.

[Overl0rd]

Dell S2740l 27 inch IPS panel with a GLOSSY finish. It was so glossy that is was hurting my eyes even under low light conditions.

[TheProfosist]

Windows Vista

 

maybe prior to the first service pack and I said maybe. That was totally over blown and most of the initial problem wernt microsofts fault. Give me some good reason and evidence as to why it was so bad because Win7 and 8 are both based off of it anf it pioneered may things that you all probably take for granted in windows now. I hate people bring this up just because its the mainstream general consensus.

 

Sorry for the rant I find it nearly as stupid as the hating on Win8 and it infuriates me.

[FireFox]

Everything I guess, soon or later everything get's disappointing

[TheProfosist]

Dell S2740l 27 inch IPS panel with a GLOSSY finish. It was so glossy that is was hurting my eyes even under low light conditions.

 

it is technically better got the color but i know what you mean but your going to have to get used to glossy because we cant make matt displays with significantly more dense ppi because the size of the pixel is approaching the size of the particles cause it to be matt.

[Calavera]

Logitech G19 keyboard... types great but features you buy it for suck as hard as they can...

[gill2k]

Wii.

[NoVaGuy]

1.Samsung galaxy ace. Worst phone EVER. Pathetic battery life, Pathetic build nd TERRIBLE performance.

2. HP G62 laptop.Replaced the battery around 4 times and still it dosent last for more than 45s, hinges broken, webcam not working , mic not working , overheats like crazy

3 Skullcandy hesh 2.0 kevin durrant headphones. Decent sound for 50$ BUT broke in about 6 months

4 Gigabyte Luxo m1004 case . It was the only case in my budget for 50$ in my country and cable management was SO PATHETIC.

 

+1 on the Ace. I returned that phone and got an ATRIX II. Much better.

 

The Nokia E5-00 is pretty crap, too. I think it ran an ARM Potato processor.

[danieldsklein]

The OCZ Synapse, it was pretty good at the time, and my PC was much faster, it is a shame that is a bit unreliable, since I used at my working pc I had to unninstall it

[xx-Grim-One-xx]

Black and Decker cordless screwdriver, charged it once and it wouldnt fully charge after that.

[SkilledRebuilds]

MW2 followed by MW3, But MW3 was worst of the two...

[bob345]

a couple of steam games i bought but don't play. im pretty sure everyone has those.

[Shrubpig]

Probably $50 Skullcandy headphones... Not the best sound. I don't really buy anything that is crap. 

[Youbetternot]

A hp Ultrabook overheats on me damn it  :angry:

[cravinmild]

Psyko audio 5.1 cans. Distortionfest combined with looking like an amusement ride.

[beebskadoo]

Alienware M11x, the damn hinge broke the week after the warranty expired. The performance was shit so i just ripped the damn thing in half. Also bought a razer lycosa that was crap.

[TheProfosist]

Black and Decker cordless screwdriver, charged it once and it wouldnt fully charge after that.

 

probably overcharged the piece of junk since it cant stop the charge itself

[ColemanR]

Acer Aspire 8943G

 

Exactly after the 1yr warranty ended, severe overheating issues, causing a damaged keyboard and monitor cable.  Had to tear the thing apart 3 times to repaste and mod to get it working again (Its my most powerful computer still).  currently sitting completely exposed ontop of my printer atm.   See sig for specs

 

-Edit- Also lost a hard drive to the heat during initial fixing. It died the day after i managed to clone it.

[YellowDragon]

Alienware M11x, the damn hinge broke the week after the warranty expired. The performance was shit so i just ripped the damn thing in half. Also bought a razer lycosa that was crap.

Hate to burst your bubble but dell was subject to a lawsuit that stated they had to replace the hinges even out of warranty due to the lawsuit. The reps will fight you but as soon as you mention that they have no choice but to accept a return.

 

I had to do this with a friends M11x and read the lawsuit over the phone for them to finally cave.