Many years ago I used to buy new gadgets, get them home, and be really excited because they solved a problem. I realized this weekend that nothing I’ve had in the recent past has answered the question: “How did I ever live without this?” I think we’ve reached a point with technology where adding new features diminishes the return on our investment.
Basic computer equipment is a good place to start because the technology hasn’t changed in years. There’s a processor, memory, hard drive, and motherboard. Driving the whole kit-and-caboodle is some type of operating system. Windows 7 did very little to change how the vast majority of computer users use their computer. As well, improvements in PC technology don’t leave us with that “Wow!” we had with our first computer.
LCD and Plasma televisions changed how we see the world through the eyes of cable and satellite; however, I know of no person who was left feeling like they couldn’t have lived without it. Home entertainment has come a long way – I’ll give you that. But, the increase in home entertainment technology hasn’t made television viewing “something of the future, in your living room today.”
Telephone technology has changed to eliminate my need to carry around additional tools. I can schedule appointments, take pictures, write memos, and even balance my checkbook. With the addition of all these features I was able to lighten my load; but not enough to leave me astounded.
I can think back to advertisements for toys, electronics, and the like from many years ago and think of all the time advertisement copywriters used the term “space aged” to describe something. Better yet, advertisers would use the terms “new” or “different” to promote their product. Unfortunately I haven’t seen anything like that in the recent past.
When GPS technology became affordable for consumers I was impressed. Until about five or six years ago I used to carry map books. In fact, I had one for every state I used to travel. Planning a route was daunting and finding streets in unchartered areas was a task, but I always found my way. My first GPS eliminated the need for maps and it did leave me asking, “how I lived without this?”
I think I’ve owned three new GPS units since my original one. With each new purchase I expected something to blow my mind away. Aside from a new voice and maybe a couple new street additions, nothing really moved me about the new system. With the exception of once, when I cracked the screen, I wondered why I bothered upgrading.
Cellular phones, which I mentioned earlier, allowed us to have conversations outside of land lines. Cells unburdened us from wires – and many people, including me, did get to answer that question. Cell phones haven’t evolved significantly and (as I talked about earlier) haven’t improved by leaps and bounds.
My point to all of this is that we should re-evaluate our current technology and decide if purchasing something new is really going to improve our lives. My prediction is that you won’t be any better off purchasing new. Even though salespeople would like you to think what you currently have is old and outdated, as long as it works keep it.
Increases in processor speed, screen size, resolution, phone functionality, or a new voice doesn’t necessarily make the item any better. Ask yourself if it’s really something that you can’t live without before dipping into your slush fund. I would gamble that most replacement devices don’t have enough additions to warrant the purchase. Believe me, when you turn on that new computer you won’t be asking yourself: “How did I ever live without this?”
(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. located at 509 Main St. in Gardner. You can text him at (978) 413-2840 or call him directly at (978) 919-8059.)