The tech upgrade dilemma

We look forward to a new release from our favorite band and when it comes out, we add it to our music collection. When we have a new baby, we add a precious, new member to our family. With technology, however, some wait in line to be one of the first to purchase an item, even though in a few months, it will be obsolete. This situation is similar to the value of cars: as soon as you drive a car off the lot, it loses its value.

The old technology graveyard

Many people take pride in and run their businesses by engaging in the newest technology releases. A friend of mine created his own technology museum. He owns a cell phone the size of a brick, calculator watch, Sony Walkman, and an Apple Newton along with countless other gadgets. None of these items can be bought in stores any more, but at one time, they were the hottest products on the market. My friend keeps his outdated technology on a set of shelves in his office, but usually everyone else’s ends up in the techno graveyard: a garage, basement or landfill. These are things that used to be hot; now they’re not.

To upgrade or not upgrade, that’s the question!

As technology moves faster than ever, how do you keep up? We recently purchased a new computer. It is capable of three times as much processing power, high definition video output, and speed we only dreamed of with our last computer. We know this will meet our needs for now, but in a few years, we will need something new. By that time I can’t even imagine what will be available. Surely it will be bigger, faster, “better.”

As I mentioned earlier, cars and technology are similar when it comes to the newest generation making the last one obsolete. I drive a car that’s 10 years old, but it gets the job done. It gets me from point A to point B.  With technology, however, I refuse to settle for items as outdated as the equivalent of a 10-year-old car. I can’t get my work done, or communicate with others as efficiently as I like.

Better, faster…and more convenient?

Perhaps this is what the technology companies are counting on: consumers like myself who want information and capabilities better and faster. I can drive my car as fast as I need to, even if it doesn’t have the latest amenities or advances in technology. But if my computer isn’t fast, I won’t put up with the inconvenience.

How do you feel about buying something that has the next generation already in the works as your receipt is printed from the register? Do you buy the latest, greatest technology toy, or do you wait until the second generation comes out?

Eileen Calandro wants you to know she is a car-lover, even though you’d never know it by what she drives around in every day. She’s the Chief Mom Connector of Mom Central. You can read about other things she loves on her personal blog at calandroclan.com and connect with her on twitter at @MomCentralChat and @calandro5.

Eileen Calandro