There's always some new bit of tech that I want. But I try to make sure that the things I buy are well suited to my needs and reasonably future proof so that I can run them into the ground before buying a new one.

There's a corollary to this. Gadget-buying paralysis. This terrible condition where you get fixated on a set of impossible-to-assemble features or, more likely price point, and worry that a future upgrade will render it less attractive. I have a terrible mobile phone. I want to replace it. I have no idea how. Now mobiles are a special case, since they're victims of widely-differing standards in different countries, but I've waited six months while I figure out what to get.

I have two simple rules for all my gadgets. Number one: I buy new gadget when the old one (of the same type) breaks. Period. I won`t discard something working, something that I got used to and feel comfortable with, just to get another toy with new features that I just don`t need. Number two: if a gadget doesn`t offer ALL features, quality and comfort (and decent price/performance ratio) I would expect from something I`d like to use, I just skip a generation, or two, or three. No rush. I still can`t think of anything that could justify buying iPhone or a netbook. Who really does anything useful on these things that can`t be done on other, older or cheaper devices?

I make a list of needs then I see if the item fits them. (If I currently have a gadget that fits them then..the need is met.) I upgraded to my iPhone because my old blackberry was 1. more expensive monthly plan (by way to much) 2. on a different network from the people I called the most at that time and so made my costs higher 3. not syncing with my mac. (I am not an exchange user so that was never an issue for me.) So I dumped my old phone and upgraded. I haven't gone to a newer version of the iPhone because the one I have does all the things I need and quite well.

I spend a lot of time making sure a gadget fills a need I actually have.

But all the research I do on my products insures I love them. It also makes other people ask me to shop for them so I get to fulfill gadgetitis thru other people! Much cheaper and honestly most of the time it'll soothe an urge quite well.

I am pretty disciplined about the upgrading. The only time I consider it is if the age of the item impairs its functionality or is otherwise creating some serious problems for me. My last mac lasted me just about 8 years. My last cellphone lasted 4 years. My last tv lasted me 12 years. And my car is the first car I ever bought: 16 years.

I actually hate "replacement time" because it requires so much research to make sure the next one is as good as the last.

I used to be the early adopter, cost be damned, but no longer.

After buying a $1200 microwave, an $1100 VCR, and a $300 cordless phone, I've decided I don't have to be the first on my block. I didn't get a flat screen TV until 2006.

I lust after the LED TV, but I'll wait.

I always buy tech stuff when the current thing I have is hardly working anymore.

4 months ago I still had an MP3-player by Trekstor which had only 128 Kb memory. Fine for me as it provided me with one hour of music for bikeriding. I then upgraded to GoGear by Phillips with 2 GB for 29 €. This was really an improvement.

My PCs usually stays with me for 6 years is then upgraded in terms of CPU, GC, HDD and RAM. It is just too much money early adopters pay for all that stuff.

7 Years ago my father bought a Plasma-Screen for 4000 € it went faulty four years later. I once asked if he knew what an hour of watching TV did cost him.

I did not want to know :-] I have a annual income of about 20000 € net. This is just too less to through it out of the window :-]

December will mark the 5th anniversary of the phone my mom upgraded. I'm poor and she didn't want to be in the under contract anymore, so unless it breaks, I'm not upgrading. It's an LG VCast with the qwerty keyboard. It's very heavy.

I have a TV that I bought in November, 1993...16 years ago! The only thing wrong with it is the 'on/off' button on the front of it is permanently broken, so we have to use a remote to turn it on and off. (oh, and ex-hubby accidentally threw away the original remote, but universal remotes work just as well.)

I bought a computer (Compaq when it was still Compaq!) in 2001. I managed to replace the fan, sound card, video card, install a network card, max the RAM, and upgraded the OS (from WinME to XP)...it's still working for my stepson. Yeah, it can have some problems, but it's working for its purpose--for him to play computer games & 'edutainment.' I was using this Compaq until last October, when a windfall came my way...and then I bought a laptop that I plan on keeping for a long while.

My stereo equipment...Let's see, All but the turntable (yeah!) are Sony Brand and I've had great luck with that brand for audio electronics. My receiver was bought in 1992, along with the 5 disk CD player, and dual cassette player. Upgraded the speakers in '95 to Bose and they still rock! (pun intended!)....

In other words, I'll keep it until it breaks! Okay, there are 2 TV's that are an exception to the rule. We just didn't need them anymore--we chose to get the TV out of the bedrooms. However, we Freecycled them and they aren't in our garage anymore!