Is it necessary to have the latest version of the every gadget?
By Awinds
@Awinds (2468)
United States
August 11, 2011 10:23pm CST
People drop their jaws when they find out my ipod is a 2005 nano. I'll admit the ipod touch has a captivating shininess, but for me my ancient ipod fulfills my needs. An acquaintance of mine also states I ought to replace my one year old laptop. All I do is writing, internet surfing and some basic image editing, so I don't see the point in that either.
But that got me thinking: why do so many people scramble to have the latest model? When the iphone 5 (or maybe it was 4) came out, there were many people desperately trying to sell their iphone 4's in order to get funds for the latest and greatest. I even have one neighbor that can't afford their electricity bill and yet was willing to go down to two meals a day in order to have money for the ipad 2.
What do you think? Is it always necessary to have the latest version of a gadget - even if that means making sacrifices in the areas of nutrition and bills? Why do some people worship upgrading?
1 person likes this
14 responses
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Aug 11
I think it is next to impossible to have the latest version of a gadget. Just like buying a new car. As soon as you drive it off the lot it is used and old. The new coming up will be much better. Some companies give you a good deal on upgrades. Others don't. It is something that should be researched before hand.
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Aug 11
Every year? Usually those types go for the 3-5 year leasing.
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
13 Aug 11
Well I read at one time in the news that there was a man who had a tradition of buying a new Ford pick up ever year - no matter how great the financial strain. I also knew a local man that did this for four years in a row before he lost his job.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
12 Aug 11
I agree with you Awinds that it is simply not possible for everyone to buy latest version of any gadget. Technology is changing so rapidly that one cannot keep pace with the changing technology. I feel contended with the gadget whatever I have because when I bought those gadget, I went for the best one. I cannot help it if the advanced version of that particular gadget got introduced in the market the very next day.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
12 Aug 11
If older gadgets could work with some modification/upgradation, it would be saner to save money.
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
12 Aug 11
A ten year old computer with Windows XP can still manage to surf the internet. I think a lot of times older machines are still relevant - its just some people are not patient enough to wait an extra few seconds. I also believe that yesterday's gadgets can still functional even if tomorrow a new one with a few slight tweaks comes out. So I agree with you. :)
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
12 Aug 11
I would not sell buy iPhone 3.5 to get an iPhone 5. I will probably have to wait for the iPhone 6 because that is when my contact runs out. I love my iPhone and like the idea of what it can do, having al my music on it, plus Itallian lessons, phone numbers, etc. I can see perhaps gong without buying lunch or supper for six months and making meals at home in order to save for one, or maybe going without the newspaper, but the electric bill seems rather silly. I also can see working harder here on my lot to get the money or going without brand names.
I have the feeling that you are not annoyed with people who want the latest gadget or someone who could use it, but someone who will get one when they cannot afford it.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
13 Aug 11
I do not want to get into debt. And my iPhone can still get upgraded. I just do not have the FAce time on it and really I do not want to scare people 
I realize then if something is new, I like to buy clothes at the beginning of the season not the end, that you have to look at the cost of changing the old one for the new one and if it is allowed in the contact.
For instance, I cannot upgrade to the iPhone 5 unless I have been in the contact for two years. And then I would still have to pay getting out of the contact fee. And what happens if the iPhone 6 comes in Sept or Oct 2012 when my contact ends in summer. That would mean if I upgraded to iPhone 5 then that I wold always be be hind. I think one can easily go on the pay as you go plan until then. It has to be cost effective. Wait until the contact runs out and then upgrade. It is cheaper.
Oh and I love Apple.
I realize then if something is new, I like to buy clothes at the beginning of the season not the end, that you have to look at the cost of changing the old one for the new one and if it is allowed in the contact.
For instance, I cannot upgrade to the iPhone 5 unless I have been in the contact for two years. And then I would still have to pay getting out of the contact fee. And what happens if the iPhone 6 comes in Sept or Oct 2012 when my contact ends in summer. That would mean if I upgraded to iPhone 5 then that I wold always be be hind. I think one can easily go on the pay as you go plan until then. It has to be cost effective. Wait until the contact runs out and then upgrade. It is cheaper.
Oh and I love Apple.@Awinds (2468)
• United States
13 Aug 11
In your case what you doing is sensible. It sounds like you have many legitimate uses for the gadget. Even more so, you are not in uncontrolled frenzy that can only be quenched by having the iPhone 5 now. It just seems some people don't have that kind of control - they just want it because it is new and its what everyone is getting.
1 person likes this
@enigma13 (372)
• Philippines
12 Aug 11
They should see my cellphone. It might rip their heads off. *lol* I don't think it's necessary to constantly upgrade your gadgets. It is simply unwise and impractical like most mylotter posted. As to why some people do it, most likely because they think it is a status symbol. Lame.
@con909 (53)
• Philippines
12 Aug 11
People do this because they think that being ahead or going with the trend will make them known or something. People want to have a sort of status or something. well anyways I don't, I don;t know the latest gadgets out there as long as my gadget works its fine by me. besides it would really cost you if you constantly change or for upgrades.
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
12 Aug 11
That is what puzzles me the most. Upgrading to a new phone, computer, tablet and car every year has got to be very expensive. I just find amazing that so many people think it is worth it - even if this year's upgrade only added for example more storage space.
@hanjianbo615 (149)
• China
12 Aug 11
you are really talking. the lastest gadget sometimes is really fashionable with the new technology, it really depends on ourself condition.
@dodo19 (47066)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
13 Aug 11
When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense what you say. It doesn't seem possible that you could always have the latest version of every gadget. I'm not sure if I fully understand why people would always want to have the latest version of every gadget. Sure it can be appealing, but I don't know why people would do so much to have these new versions and such.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
12 Aug 11
Well, depending on the people you ask, they might say that they are content with their current gadget while others are somewhat going crazy in not having the latest gadget.
Personally, I would like to compare a new gadget to a luscious dessert. You eat the dessert and you get a sugar rush. after the sugar rush, you feel queasy and you barely have energy. That is what I observed with people obsessed with new gadgets. They try so hard in getting that gadget that they don't care what happens to their financial visitation as long as they could proudly say that they own one (or at least, paying in installments). After a new gadget is released in the market, they go all the same cycle again and discard the barely used gadget. It's like an obsession to them.
I'm the type of person who, in a sense, don't like gadgets and literally use them until they are in sad need of repair or replacement. I never liked changing one model after another, unless there is a significant change or somebody with a generous heart is willing to have it as a gift for me.
For other people, they need to upgrade becuase they need it for their work. Others do it for the attention and the basic pride that they can have something if they set their sights to getting it. Hate to mention it but some companies market their gadget as if it was the greatest invention ever and people actually buy all that lip service. somehow, I don't know what to feel for them. For me, If it's still running and it ain't broke, why not use it?
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
13 Aug 11
Sugar is bad for the teeth, obsessive gadget buying is bad for finances. That was actually an excellent analogy. I believe upgrading is fine if there is a need for it (like for work reasons), however upgrading for the sake of vanity is just childish. And if it is still in good condition, and not impaired in some way, why not, as you say, continue to use the device?
@QeeGood (1213)
• Sweden
12 Aug 11
I think some people need to prove they're worthy towards other people for having the latest of gadgets on the market. It's like to be first with the items that hhave come out. You want to shine, that you've updated. I,myself do not care for having the latest, I'm interested to know, but I do not need to have it. The ordinary expenses for housing, food, clothes come first.
@minomarimat (372)
• Philippines
12 Aug 11
Not really. I mean, both the iPod touch and the iPod nano functions as a simple entertainment on the go, right? The only advantage of iPod touch is the applications, which are very much useful for various kinds of people. More so if you're the kind who gets easily bored during a long travel. But if you're only looking for something that you could listen to music to, and you already have an iPod nano, why bother buying the latest stuff right? It depends on the needs of the user.
It's like the case on the iPhone 4 that you've mentioned. Having an iPhone 4 is SOOOO GOOD enough, why bother buying the new iPhone 5 coming up? I own a Motorola Defy - it's a very affordable midrange smartphone, it's not as excellent as the iPhone 4 or the high-range Android phones in terms of performance, but it suits my needs, and I think I'll stick with it until it gets broken. Good enough, right?
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
12 Aug 11
I agree fully! Think of how much money society as a whole could save if we actually used products for their full life spans indstead of throwing them away after a year or six months. Now granted, there are some people like designers or software engineers that really do need to upgrade, but I know that is not the case for all people.
@alquizar (480)
• Philippines
12 Aug 11
I think it really depends on the person if they wanted the latest gadget and can afford to buy one.But if you are happy and contented with the one you are using I think you better stick to it and make use of it while it is still functioning rather than buying a new one just to get the latest gadget.
@ilovestool (107)
• China
12 Aug 11
No,the new things are always expensive and after a year,the price will come down.And selling so-called new products is just a strategy.But if you are rich enough,you can buy the latest version.You have this choice.
@zerd87 (301)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
It is not really necessary. First we must provide our basic needs other than we want. Having a gadget may improve our way of life but it is not necessarily the latest one. just a small advise, be contented on what you have. Don't sacrifice you're nutrition, otherwise you may pay more than the gadget you bought.
@louren (3)
•
12 Aug 11
For me it is just necessary to get those gadgets which you really need,having such gadgets with no use at all but for popularity purposes only is not good,you wouldn't make that popularity stay for a long time,but using your money in a more purposeful thing would be a nice feeling.
