How to Shop for the Best Technology at the Right Price
kaossilator pro
Buying the right technology at the right price can be challenging.
We are surrounded by new shiny technologies that make big
promises but don't always deliver. Today's rapidly changing
technology landscape means careful consideration must be taken
to ensure the right purchasing decision has been made.
Keep the following in mind and you will be on your way to making
the right choice and getting the best price.
Is it the right tool?
Technology is just that, a tool. It may be a tool that provides only
entertainment, but still it is still just a tool. The best technology
provides a seamless experience with no barriers to use while
being enjoyable and durable. Buying a technophobe a fancy thing
that does far more than required may be a huge mistake. A good
example can be found in the computer industry. If a user is simply
going to browse the internet, jot some notes down and enjoy
music and photos on their computer, they will be best served by a
simple device that doesn't muddle up the experience and doesn't
ask more of them than can be provided.
Today's surge in HDTV, Gaming Consoles Tablet Computers and
Net books is a result of people simplifying the tools they use for
the majority of their computing experience. You don't need the
latest greatest processing machines to look at the latest photos
from the Boy Scout Jamboree. Buying a powerhouse computer
for Grandma could be a great waste of money. Better to get her
an Xbox 360, a copy of God of War and show her how to view
photos on her television.
Are there ongoing fees?
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Some technologies are subsidized with ongoing subscription fees
and long-term contracts. If you were to look at the costs between
an iPhone and an iPod Touch, very similar devices if compared
without the phone features, the price difference is immense. As of
11/01/2010, an 8GB iPhone 3Gs will cost you at least $1,058.76
after your two year contract is up, while an 8GB iPod Touch costs
$229.00. If you used only the gaming and Home networking
features of the iPhone, you would be wasting over $800. GPS
devices with subscription based traffic are another good example
of a system with ongoing costs. Find out if the technology is
useless without subscription services, or if they still retain
usefulness in case you feel you want to cancel the service. Figure
subscription services and contract length into the cost of the
technology.
Are there consumables?
Batteries and printer toner/ink are the most common consumable
in today's technologies. Find out what type of batteries your
technology takes, whether it is user-serviceable, and how long it
will take normal use to need battery replacement. Figure the cost
of battery replacement into the cost of the device. If you are
buying a printer, look into cost per page. A low price printer may
cost hundreds of dollars more when ink prices are taken into
consideration.