Electronics

[TheMemphisVette]

why?  

the apple worshiping the latest to the point of standing in line is an oddity.....almost cult mentality.    or maybe apple is just the top genius in marketing?    i do not drink that koolaid.

or maybe chasing the latest tech stuff is just a hobby?

peeps put their money and time in things that other peeps find odd. 

i am a jewelry freak.    the amount of my collection is rediculous.  

i own houses/homes in 3 states.   this is rediculous.

yet......

i have never had cable.  my internet is wireless mobile.  my tv is digital air reception.

my computers are old because i buy the best and they last.  surface pro and lenovo x230  and ipad 2.  all work and are years old.

my phone is old.  samsung note 2 with a cracked screen.  works fine. 

my cars are old.   '08 hummer and '04 corvette

i view these things as equipment and if they work and meet my needs , i cannot justify the upgrade.  

summary.   some see tech stuff as hobby interests vs functional needs.

[hckynut]

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@goldensrbest wrote:

Why is it that the next i phone ,i pad any device comes out ,people buy,rather than keeping what they have?

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@goldensrbest

People?  Beats me, I can only answer for myself. Been involved in electronics since I was 15 years old, a couple decades back. Ho/ho.

Called and Electronics nut by many over those decades, but when ot comes to cell phones? I buy a new Tracfone every year only because a 12 month purchase cost more than a new phone. Figure around $5-7 a month, not bad.

I have never bought anything "i" because I won't pay more for a brand insignia than one with offers as much, with another well known brand, and I pay much less for just as many features.

Had the 1st version of true 4 channel surround sound, why? Because it not only was not "mono sound", but "stereophonic sound", it went further and had an exclusive sound track for each individual voice/musical instrument, or sound effects. Hello to what is now called Dolby Surround, back decades, it was called Quadrophonic Sound.

Had the one of first public VCR's on the market. I chose VHS over Betamax because it was cheaper, as were the video tapes, and I neither saw or heard audio or video that was better for the more expensive Betamax.

I could walk you through all the steps of the VHS-SVHS improvements over the decades, along with many of the electronics I upgraded as technology advancd, but that would be more than even I am interested in typing, much less others reading. 

Much of my best electronics were ruined when our basement flooded with toilet sewage while Inwas in the hospital a couple years ago, and it will never all be replaced. I do however have a large 65" 4k TV set which I have set up with Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound.

My home gym/slash former 110" home theater is now gone, except for the 110" screen that was and is still hanging on what is left of walls of our once fully finished/furnished and gorgeous 2700sq.ft basement.

I have since purchased some cheaper, but still upper level, audio sound components for my basement gym. Lost most of my hundreds of CD's/DVD's, and my 3/12"/8", and 12" LaserDics. Burned some CD's from music on my computer and also bought some new CD music. For my hour and a half to 2 hour workouts, I love my music.

Just a small glance as to why I upgrade on a few electronics. As for the latest "i" or Samsung Cell phones or tablets that other people buy, and why? I am sure most of them have a reason, and maybe some of them will tell you their why.

hckynut

[Azcowgirl]

I'm getting ready to get my third iPad . I must be hard on electronics , I just seem to wear them out. My last phone I dropped in the pool ):

[hckynut]

@SeaMaiden

Like yourself I have no children, by choice, just thought I would mention that part.

However I have spent and still spend time around the much younger than myself generations. Many of their views on life and what constitutes a "good life" are reasonable to me. Some of their views on life priorities or way different than mine, but there are also many in my age bracket(older and younger), that do not agree with my priorities.

My late mother when in her '50's-60's was one of them. She saw save, save, save money, for the future. To me then in my 20's, the future to me was "then", the same way I have lived through all the age brackets, closing in on 80 in less than 2 years. I still live for today, not tomorrow or next week. I have been successful at living a good life/living in my prioritized way, live first and more concern with "life lived in my years" and not "number of years lived in my life.

Heard this phrase in my later teen years, and much to my mom's dismay, have lived it that way since I first heard it:  "Man was born to live, not to prepare for life".

Must add I have been a frugal male since my first real paycheck at age 12, and learned how to get the most bang for my bucks going back to that age. Always looked for quality in everything I purchased/purchase. Some even called me cheap/tightwad/penny pincher and a miser. Did/do I care what others think about how I chose/planned to a certain degree, and have lived my very happy life.

Nah! I happily successfully retired at age 52 and have not regretted too many things in the way I lived my life.

There ya have it. Danged, got tons of leaves on our acreage will probably take me most of the day to mulch them. Gotta get in some "joe" and head out soon.

Stay well,

hckynut(john)

[SeaMaiden]

@hckynut   Yes, I am also CHILD FREE by choice.  I think when we both grew up working hard staying at your job for many many years. and saving for a rainy day was the way it was.... 

 I too am heading outside to rake MANY MANY LEAVES today... suppose to get a measurable amount of snow tonight and want to get them up . Have a wonderful weekend!

[SeaMaiden]

@Meowingkitty  You are right. Many Boomers are technically savvy.  My Husband also loves to keep current.  Then there are those like myself who lag behind.....my cell phone I bought 17 years ago for emergencies.... really ancient.  I have never sent a text message....😐  Do not know how! 

[Moonchilde]

I’m an electronics junkie, and have been a fairly early adopter in several areas. By and large, I buy something new because the technology in the current device is no longer capable of doing what I need/want it to do, the battery ceases to be rechargeable, software will not upload to my older device, or a newer model does something that’s important to me that the older one doesn’t.

But electronics are getting to the point in some areas (phones being one of them) that there is very little change between one model and another, and if the changes aren’t important to me (or you) there isn’t any read “need” for the newest-and-maybe-a-tiny-bit-better.

The newest X iphone? As a long-time Apple user,  I refused to pay that much for a phone inasmuch as Android phones have the same features (and have been ahead in features vs Apple for a while now). And the 8 and 8+ are rated not as good as the 6 and 7 models and not worth trading up to.

I didn’t strictly “need” a new phone, and yet I did. My iPhone 6S has had a bad antenna all along, but in the city that didn’t show up, so too late to complain or get a replacement once I moved. I could neither make nor receive calls at home - ever - making the phone useless for almost 2 years. Frustrating to the max.

So - new expensive Android phone - but not as expensive as the iPhone X. I can make and receive calls at home just fine, no more issues there. And actually, between rebates and freebies, not bad cost, really. Way less than $1000.

There will always be “people” who buy the latest and greatest (in their opinion) of something just because they want to and just because they can - like anyone who can afford to buy whatever they want. Look at people who lease a new car every year. 

But IMO most people balance need, want and finances and satisfy themselves most of the time - having to wait sometmes, but generally happy with their choice.

People have always spent their money in ways their neighbors don’t approve of, since civilization began. People come to these forums every day to express their love of one thing and their hatred and disgust of another. We’re all different. What Poster A does with their money isn’t inherently better, smarter, holier, classier or anything else, than what Poster D does with their money. And AFAIC, if Poster A tries hard to convince others that they are superior and more worthy, their credibility is gone with me.

[GCR18]

Everyone has their vise.  Whether its saving money, closets full of clothes, news cars, exotic vacations, kitchen gadgets, drawers full of the newest wrinkle cream and the list goes on.  You have to do what makes you happy.  There are many things I don't understand, but is it necessary that I understand?

[NickNack]

I don't understand this either.  I have a friend who always has to update to the latest iPhone.  I think that's just wasting money.  I have an iPhone 5S that I'm still happy with.  I would like to have a better camera but not enough to buy a new phone.

[jewel3]

People buy the latest and greatest technology because it is fun and interesting to use and because they can. I would buy a new computer, iPhone, iPad every time a new one comes out if I could and I am almost 67. These devices are a big part of my personal and work life  and make life better: Communication with kids, grands, and friends is easier, screens are easier to see, photos are clearer, and work is easier. There is no downside to using new technology.  If you do not have to have it on the release date, refurbished pieces soon appear on Apple’s website and are much more affordable. They also work great. When my shoes seem worn, I get a new pair. When my electronics are “ worn” I get a newer model. I have friends who still use an iPhone 5 and if that suits them, it is great. We all have priorities that differ. My kids give me Apple Store gift cards for birthdays and Christmas that i save for my upgrades. Makes me happy and makes my life a little easier.