Are we taking technology too far? Have we lost sight of the real objectives in our quest for faster, smaller and sexier black or grey boxes?

Every year, I start to think about the inevitable upgrades needed to keep my computer systems current.

Every year, I shudder at the expense and yet, unfailingly, I end up writing a cheque for around £1,000.

I somehow convince myself that the benefits will outweigh the outlay.

This year is different. So far, I have resisted the urge to replace my Intel 500 mhz chip with something faster and more in keeping with my image of a cutting-edge computer journalist's requirements.

In fact, I have not changed a thing. All I have done is to reinstall MS Windows 98 (second edition), clean up my hard drive and carry on working.

My computer is simply a glorified typewriter. I do not need an all-singing, all-dancing, super- fast chunk of silicon to use MS Office.

In fact, my current system exceeds the requirements on the box by a very comfortable margin and I feel gloriously over-gunned and have plenty of speed to spare.

So why are we constantly told that faster is better? What is the agenda behind all this upgrading and replacing?

Computers do wear out and computers do become obsolete.

I do not want to work on a 286SX, although some people are still using older machines and perfectly happy to do so.

Technology has moved on and we expect more from our computers than a 286 or a 386 can deliver.

The big things people worry about are speed and image quality. Speed to handle data so fast it seems instantaneous and enhanced image quality so our graphical user interfaces look pretty and our images are more realistic.

If your current machine allows you to type as fast as you can or do whatever you need to do and does not slow you down in any way, you have probably reached the top rung on your computer ladder. There is simply no point in upgrading.

Similarly, if you do not play advanced computer games and do not work in a graphics-related industry, you probably do not need to buy the latest high-speed graphics card.

You will never use all the functionality and your money will be wasted.

We have reached a point where the computer industry has to slow down and stop feeding us more and more expensive upgrades.

It should concentrate, instead, on making the stuff we do have work properly.

For most people, more power is simply a vanity and wholly unnecessary.

On the other hand, I was looking around a computer store the other day and could not help being impressed by their latest offering with a matt-black flat-screen monitor, a USB scanner and roller ball mouse and more raw speed than a Formula One racing car.

I might have to go back at the weekend.

Just to look, you understand.