Hacker News Reader

Comment by pavs | Hacker News Reader

I have some rules when buying gadgets:

- Never buy it in the first six months of release, even if it is a holodeck.

- Read/watch review. Not only from fanboys but also from rivals and people who despise this gizmo.

- If its expensive (and a bit out of your range), wait to see if there is any competing products. (I am still waiting to see what Google has to offer before getting iPad)

Frankly I am surprised that most tech savvy consumers don't follow some of these rule.

View on HN

Correction: especially if its a holodeck.

haven't you seen what happens when the holodeck is broken in the next generation?! it is no laughing matter.

I dunno man, if I had an insane holodeck I am sure its better than not having one :)

I have similar rules, but there is a caveat: the industry only progresses if some people are willing to go first. I feel like occasionally I have an obligation to take my turn. Kind of like driving on a long trip: we're all speeding for hundreds of miles, and sometimes you have to take a turn at the front of the pack. It's only fair.

the reason why I don't follow those rules is because I am not buying gadgets only to consume but to explore.

I don't care if products have mistakes in them (unless obviously blatant mistakes).

I don't see myself only as a consumer.

Agreed. Also, there's a cost to not being an early adopter: your life is finite and you're missing out on having that thing for that fraction of your life. Not to say that there's no wisdom in eschewing new designs for a bit, of course; just that everything in life comes with both costs and benefits.

I'd buy a holodeck even if 50% functional. I think as long as it does not kill me its good, eh?

However never buy in 6 mo is a fairly good soft restriction. You can probably wait 2 months and buy it. My rule is "don't give in to the hype".

I also have the same outlook as I did with the iPod. If it is expensive wait till there is some good competition because after some good competition it can only get better, or the competition will. No competition = shit products. Hence Pentium 4

Reply on news.ycombinator.com