Investing In Technology: Should I Always Go For The Most Expensive One?
Be thorough in deciding your next tech product.
I heard so many people saying, “If you buy a tech product, go for the most expensive one! You will not regret it and it will last longer!”. The assumption is “the more expensive it is, the better”.
In the past, computers were very expensive and hard to use. Not many people were able to operate this computer because of the complex software operation. But that’s not the case presently.
Nowadays, technology is part of our necessity. If you remember “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”, there is a new spot below a psychological needs, which everyone really needs to survive, that is the…
Yes, that’s true! Remember how many times we all complaint when our internet was very slow. Feels like the end of the world.
Of course, everyone needs to use a gadget to communicate, work and having fun. Even my grandma learnt how to use a smartphone, and she can’t stop using it every day. But the question is, do you need to go for the most expensive one?
It depends. There are three questions to ask before choosing your desire gadgets (Laptops or smartphones will be used as an example for each question).
- What is your primary usage
- How often are you using it, and
- How long will you want to use it?
Let’s take a deep look into each of these questions.
What is your primary usage?
Just like when you buy a car, are you going to use it often? Will you drive outside the town or inside the town?
The same thing goes for technology. If you buy a laptop, what primary tasks will you be using? Are using for writing, surfing the web, photo editing, programming or gaming? When you know the answer to these questions, you can start selecting what types of laptop do you want. From its the form factor, performance, storage and battery life. These selections vary in price too. The base model is always cheaper, but have lower specs, while the high-end model is always more expensive, but have all the performance and capabilities. This also applies to the smartphone, which has a similar lineup and configurations.
As an example, Apple’s MacBook has a very simple selection to choose from. If you are looking for a portable device that has the basic performance for light tasks, then you have the MacBook Air available. If you need more performance for heavier tasks, the MacBook Pro is more suitable for you.
By identifying your needs, you can save some cash and not overspending the extra features that you don’t need it.
How often are you using it?
Be mindful about it. Some devices have their unique feature that separates with the other lineup, but obviously it will cost more.
Think about Samsung’s flagships. The Galaxy Note and the “S” series. The Galaxy note has an extra feature, which is the “S” pen that allows users to sketch directly on their phone. It’s a very cool feature, but how often are you using it? Some people do, apart from some.
Another example, nowadays you can choose how many cameras in your smartphones. Single, double, triple, even quad lenses. The assumption is “The more camera in a smartphone, the better the quality is”. Unfortunately, photo quality doesn’t depend on how many lenses, but it relies on its hardware and software integration. Less expensive phone can shoot the same high-quality image too. Like the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, they share the same image processor, software and quality, yet the Pro model has an extra camera on it.
Pro users may need those extra features to maximise their result, but for casual users, maybe it’s a waste of money to spend more on it.
How long will you want to use it?
How long it will last for you until you need to change a new device? Every year? Two Years? Five years? Or more?
All tech gadgets have a lifespan and it doesn’t last forever. Some people said, “The more expensive the device is, the more long-lasting it is”. I tend to agree and disagree with this statement.
Usually, tech companies will invest more in higher-end products. The lower-end products will receive a slightly less feature from its higher-end product, resulting in a cheaper price. In 2020, we had seen a lot of tech companies that focus more on the lower end-device, yet maintaining those flagship qualities.
The 2020 iPhone SE that released in April, is one of the popular budget smartphones with its $399 price tag. Apple installed the A13 Bionic chip, which is the same chip as the iPhone 11 Pro flagship. That means that Apple will support years of a software update to this iPhone. The sacrifices of this phone come into the small battery capacity and old design like its previous generations.
Expensive gadgets do not always last longer. It depends on how we are using and maintaining it to preserve their lifespan. We can treat a less expensive product with care, and it can last longer too.
If you are thinking about the resell value, definitely the higher-end product will have more about it, compare to the lower-end. Again, you have to be conscientious in choosing it.
These are some major question to ask as part of your buying decision that can apply to anything: laptops, Smartphones, PCs or any tech gadget. You don’t have to follow all of these guidelines, but it is recommended for someone that wanted to have the best bang for the buck. Moreover, 2020 offers you so many choices, so this can help you focus on your purchase decision.
So, Be wise and don’t overspend! The best for you is not always the most expensive one!
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Christopher Reno Budiman is a writer, explorer and entrepreneur-minded person. He received Bachelor of Business (Hospitality Management) and Bachelor of International Hospitality Management with Swiss Hotel Association accreditation. He’s on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn if you would like to know more about him.
