Stop Buying Cheap Technology
Many technologies are not cheap. The new MacBook Air is priced at $ 1,000, just like the iPhone 13 Pro or Galaxy Z Flip3. Even devices that don’t cost thousands of dollars, like AirPods, are very expensive and pile up quickly. Unsurprisingly, there are tons of cheaper alternatives out there. And while I’m not saying you need to buy top-notch gear every time, sometimes a thing that looks like a bargain is too good to be true. Still, it’s tempting to pay less for what seems just as good, although these devices often turn out to be sheer junk.
I’m not saying that all inexpensive technology is bullshit; there are many alternatives if you want to spend less. I’m talking about technology from brands that no one has ever heard of: products that are on the lowest shelf at your local store, or dozens of options on Amazon. There’s such shit at the bottom of the barrel – oh wow, is it just $ 10? Maybe I will.
No, don’t do this. This. Is an. No. Value. This.
It sounds great now: you get a new product without the guilt that usually comes with a high-priced tech purchase. Of course, the quality may not be so good, but you can live with it, because you will save an order of magnitude money. Well, hold on to this moment for as long as possible, because this will be the last time you will be happy for a long time.
Buying budget equipment usually ends in disappointment. These items are made with no concern for quality or durability; if you buy the cheapest headphones available, they are likely to sound terrible – and that’s okay, because they’ll also only last a week or two. Suddenly, they don’t seem like such a bargain, and you should feel guilty (or even more guilty) about all the environmental waste associated with it .
There is a reason some things are so much cheaper than comparable branded devices on the market – companies can save a lot of money when they are not tied to trivial things like using good materials or proper design, and are more focused on creating quick abandonment. obsolescence.
Not all “cheap” technologies are the same
To be clear, I’m specifically talking about low-cost basement tech, not mid-range or even budget tech. There is a big difference here. Just because a quality company produces a product at a lower price point than its other devices or other devices on the market does not mean that it is inherently bad. There are entire websites out there to recommend, say, an excellent pair of true wireless headphones for $ 25 .
A great example of this is the confusingly named Apple iPad (ninth generation iPad). The iPad, simply called the “iPad,” is the company’s entry-level product and costs almost half the price of the iPad Air. At $ 329, it’s pretty darn cheap for an iPad. And this is great! It’s not the fastest iPad Apple sells, and it doesn’t have the best display on the market, but it’s an iPad; it runs iPadOS 15 and works with Apple Pencil and other smart accessories. If you’re not a power user or a professional, this iPad is probably all you really need to get your job done.
Sure, you could call the iPad “cheap,” but it really doesn’t fit my definition of “cheap tech.” You can find examples of this from a lot of companies – the $ 50 Amazon Fire tablet isn’t the best option, but it will definitely work and work well; Instead of spending $ 170 on a new pair of AirPods, you can spend $ 80 on a pair of Jabra Elite, or even the amazingly impressive $ 40 model from SoundPEATS.
Take time to figure out what to buy
As with any tech purchase, if you’re unsure, do a little research. Browse for reviews online from multiple sources, making sure the reviewer is not sponsored by the product they are covering (and does not trust Amazon reviews ). Looking at the spectrum of opinions about this technology can help you make an informed decision and save you a waste of time.
Comparisons where needed; If what you need is too expensive, choose a reliable and inexpensive option, rather than just the one you see that matches your ideal price. Pitting foods against each other is a great way to see what you’re giving up (if anything), choosing a cheaper alternative, and can help you make the best decision for your needs. Maybe you find yourself better off waiting and saving up for a more expensive proposition, or you see the only reason one product is worth a lot more than another is because of brand awareness.
Remember this tip before you throw up those “wow, they’re so cheap!” headphones from Target, or order an unnamed tablet from Amazon for less than a gas tank. I would rather see you with a device worth your money than a device designed for a landfill.