Lab computers: high end now or average system and repurchase in a couple of years? I have been asked to recommend systems for upcoming computer labs. I see 2 options.


Buy high end systems now. They will be expensive but will last longer.
Buy average systems now and buy again in a couple of years when these become obsolete.


Option 1 makes more sense to me with the bonus that the lab systems will actually qualify as high-end for some time. Option 2 may seem cheaper now but current systems will become dinosaurs in a couple of years and new systems will have to be bought. The total cost of both options may actually come out to be the same in the long run. However, Option 2 involves scrapping systems in a couple of years which I see as needless waste.

Can anyone here comment on this?

NOTE: I understand this may not be the right forum for this question. If so, I will be happy to be pointed to one that is.
In general, I would argue in favor of getting the best available system that fits within your budget at the time of the purchase. You might be able to save some money now by buying a less powerful system, but the danger of doing so is that you can't necessarily guarantee that in N years, when you plan to buy the replacements, that you'll have the money in the budget to do so. Long-term funding guarantees really aren't, and what is promised today might not hold up several years from now.

By getting the best available system now, you postpone the "must replace" date a while, which can give you more time to find a replacement (or the funds to replace it, as need be). Also, if your money is time-restricted in its use (you have to use it this year, for instance), there's no real incentive to skimp.