Early last fall, I had my eye on a pretty nifty laptop computer. It was right after Hurricane Gustav, and I realized that evacuating for several days without internet access was not a good situation, for blogging, but especially for staying in touch with work and family members. I started saving up money shortly thereafter, and having never owned a laptop before, I ran across the Acer Aspire One Netbook 
One problem was, even though I wanted it right away, I hadn’t saved up enough money for it. I had a couple of hundred dollars put aside, but it was running about $400 at the time. While that is not a lot of money for a laptop, I really didn’t want to buy one until I had saved up money for it.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) for me at the time, it was only available in very limited quantities at online retailers such as Amazon or Newegg. Apparently, they were getting very small shipments from the manufacturer, so it was going in and out of stock. I actually had one in the online shopping cart one night, but did not pull the trigger.
I eventually decided to wait, and saved up about $400 for my laptop purchase. But by the time I did, a few months later, I decided to go with a regular sized laptop, with a little more functionality for all around use-The Aspire One did not have a DVD burner, for example, but the one I bought did.
Why didn’t I give in and get the “cool” laptop I wanted?
I guess I finally realized, that although it was pretty slick, I really didn’t need it for the small size (although I do see how it could come in handy when traveling, etc.) I decided I should wait as well, and save up for one like I originally planned.
How you can avoid giving into temptation with the latest tech gadgets
Try to keep your emotions out of it- While I got to the point where I almost bought the aspire one netbook one night, I realized that I was becoming somewhat enamored with it because it seemed really cool (mostly due to the size, I guess), not because of what it could do for me. For me, a regular laptop probably made more sense. I wasn’t really thinking practically.
Create a cooling off period- Wait a few days, a week, or even a month. If you still want the item later, buy it, but give yourself some time to “cool off” your enthusiasm.
Look closely at alternatives- In my case, a regular laptop with a DVD would be more practical for using it for work, as well as for all-around use.
Stick with your plan- If you are saving up for something, to pay cash for it, for example, stick to your guns and wait. A whole lot of new electronics go down in price, often after just a few months-the aspire one netbook, for example, has dropped $30 in less than 6 months.
This was kind of a strange experience for me, because I am normally not that in to the latest tech gadgets or the like. On the other hand, my cell phone contract is up for renewal, and I really like the look of some of those new phones with the touch screens, and email and web capabilities-Uh-oh!
Do you ever find yourself “wanting” the latest technology because of how it looks or its features or capabilities? How do you deal with these situations?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m thinking of getting the iPhone at some point, but I have to ask myself, do I really need it?
Plus, my Palm Treo works fine.
The iPhone is pretty, though.
@TStrump- I know what you mean- I have my eye on the G1(google) phone! I currently don’t have email/web on my phone, and my phone contract is up, so I really want to catch up with the times-trying to wait though.
My needs are more than my wants all the time but can we continue pleasing our inner selfishness?
@TStrump, part of my new year resolution is to part with any extravagant possession.I would have made due with an iphone but will continue with my Nokia N95 unti9l the economy improves.
I got very close to buying the same netbook, but I went with an iPhone instead. It was the better purchase for me at the time. Now I’m ready to get a netbook I can take with my and do my writing on the road.
I’m considering the Dell Mini 12 because it’s built for people like me with big hands. Though the Mini 10 announced at CES has my attention. I’ve heard it has a big keyboard.
I want my fiance to get a Linux netbook, but she’s eying the Macbook instead. Sigh…
Oh my yes. I do love buying new tech. I use the same rules I use with everything else though.
I can buy anything I want with my allowance money, so I’d have to save for it. Or I can only buy it if I have an honest to goodness use for it and can figure out where the money would come from. This kills 99% of my techno lust, because even more than a new video card, I love where I’ll be in five and ten years from now if I stick to my budget. So unless I get a windfall of some sort, I usually don’t indulge much until I really do need to upgrade.
I do have a new iTouch, but that’s because it was a Christmas present from my lovely fiancee, and I really did need a new PDA type device. I actually DIDN’T want the iPhone, because I won’t pay for the expensive plan at this point in my life.
@Weakonomist- I’ve heard that people with big hands have had some trouble with some of the netbooks- The Dells are pretty sweet too.
@Slinky- That’s a good way to approach tech purchases-especially if you have an affinity for them. The touch looks pretty cool as well- that was a good choice over the iPhone by not having to pay for the phone plan.
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