cash for a different type of computer Crucial spokesman Roddy Maclean said the information also offers a snapshot of what is whirring away inside tens of thousands of PCs found up and down the country. The statistics suggest that more and more people are holding on to their ageing PC rather than splashing out on a new one. "About 50% of the systems upgraded in the last year are about four years old," he said. "That's up from up from 40% last year." Many people, he said, seem to be buying a few key parts for their home PC to squeeze more out of it. That makes sense, said Mr Maclean, because of the wide variety of tasks people perform with their PC. "There's usually some kind of trigger point that makes people upgrade," he said. "Often that's frustration that their system has started to slow down or the demands on their system are becoming greater." "People use their PC as a tool for a much wider variety of applications than ever before," he said. "The desktop PC has become a real workhorse." "All of that is driving an increased demand for more computing power and the number of things people are looking to do with their systems," said Mr Maclean. Even those who build their own PCs and who might be expected to be in a permanent state of renewal are slowing down, said James Gorbold, editor of Custom PC. "I think the upgrade cycle for upgrade enthusiasts has