When Should You Buy New Tech?

Anyone who is getting ready to buy some new tech will always wonder if the product on which they will be spending their hard-earned cash will be obsolete in a few months. How do you decide when to buy your new tech, so that it lasts longer? Read on to find out more.

The best time to buy new tech is within a few months of its initial release. That gives the manufacturer time to do any recalls, product updates, and other stuff that is needed so that you don't have to worry too much. Even though the urge is strong, you shouldn't really purchase new tech when it is released. There can be quite a few problems that were not apparent during testing.

Waiting about two months after the initial release basically lets the major bugs be worked out. However, there is an adage that you need to remember whenever you get ready to buy tech. You should buy the tech when you need it, because new tech is always around the corner. If you keep waiting for new tech, you'll end up waiting forever.

Let's look at some Apple products. Every year or so, Apple releases a new iPhone. The same will probably be true for the iPad, as the iPad 2 is just around the corner. The Mac rumors sites have already given us some ideas on what it will be like. It will have some cameras and will undoubtedly have a significant amount of memory. If you're in the market for a second laptop or a second computer, then you should check out the MacBook Air. It was just released, and the technology is adequate. The faster flash-based storage makes up for the slower processor. If you're deciding between a MacBook Pro and a MacBook Air, then if you can wait for your MacBook Pro purchase you should, as Apple will refresh the MacBook Pros next year. It's uncertain when exactly, but it could be Q1 or Q3 2011.

If you can't wait, then you should just get the latest MacBook Pro, boosted with as much as you can afford. The new MacBook Pros will have cheaper solid state drive technology, kind of like the new MacBook Airs, which will be very appealing since the laptops will be quicker, more responsive, and have the 'instant on' that Apple keeps talking about. Also, the whole MacBook Pro should receive an update next year.

As for cameras, the product life cycles are longer than computers. The tech is updated every few years and within six months of a new camera's release is usually the optimal time to buy one. If you're a smart consumer, then you can pick up older tech for a lot cheaper once newer models are released. They can be bought off Amazon or eBay at significant discounts.

[images via Boing Boing, Zit Seng, Ninja Monkey via CC License]

Comments (9)

But what about cell phones? I'd really like to buy myself an EVO (released this summer) but it's still a bit more than I want to spend. Do I wait until the "new" one comes out or take the plunge now?

That's some assumption about the new MBP and SSD. Could it be an option? Perhaps. But with limited storage capabilities (as compared to current hard drives) and costs, I think telling your readers that the next gen will have SSD is incorrect.

Not sure where you're getting your assumptions about cameras either. They're pretty much updated every year as well. Pro model DSLR's may not be, but consumer P&S and DSLRs are.

I will, however, agree that the best time to buy tech is just after its released. If it's a brand new product (1st generation) it may be safe to wait for kinks to be worked out or for the 2nd generation. Depends on if you *need* the product right then and there or if you can wait. If you've waited 9-10 months, then chances are you can wait another 2-3 for a product refresh. If you cannot, the current generation product should satisfy your immediate needs.

I think you could have summed up this article in two sentences, one of which you already stated: If you keep waiting for new tech, you'll end up waiting forever. Buy tech when you need it.

This is the rule for ALL tech:

Buy it when you NEED it.

There will be a better version out shortly no matter when you buy. The only exception to the rule is if a product has a set release schedule; i.e. new iPods every September.

This article might as well have been titled "When Should You Buy New Apple Products"

I only buy GOOD tech, and I only buy it ON SALE. That's my rule. "Good" tech is typically tech that will likely only see minor gains in technological advances within the next 4 years, aesthetic and bells & whistles that don't really alter the "meat" of the product. Example: I just picked up an Olympus E-P1 for $369. It's a refurbished model, but carries a decent warranty and still has strong core features comparable and even better than current model micro 4/3's. Plus that's a FRACTION of what it cost when released in 2009.

Having just done extensive research on a couple things:

DSLRs are usually on an 18 month cycle, but there are a lot of models with similar features from each manufacturer. Count the months between the current model and it's predecessor on dpreview.

If you're interested in a T2i, get it before the rebates expire on 11/24. It can save you $$ if you're going to get some Canon lenses at the same time.

Point and shoots are every six months, "fancy" cameras like the LX3 or G12 get a revision once a year usually.

Apple products: Great buyer's guide on macrumors. They have reasonable guesses on everything and tracking of when the last release was.

Other computers: New models typically come out in time for school shopping (June/July) and Christmas.

I agree, this article should have been titled "When to purchase new Apple products." Unplggd is very biased when it comes to computer tech and rarely ever gives any savvy information about other up and coming products that are windows formatted. I myself have a macbook pro but I'm considering purchasing a windows formatted desktop. I'm just saying I would like to see more reviews on products other than Apple.

Hint for gamers, especially PC ones. If you want to play as cheaply as possible but have some guarantee about games that you'll be able to play. Buy a PC that has similar specs to top hardware console, this way you'll be able to play some games as long as long they come out for this console and PC.

Buy when it cost to much to fix, if I can be fixed or features I want are only in newer tech.