The Guide to Buying the Best New Tech

Just think – only twenty years ago, cell phones were the size of house bricks, and laptop computers were only on the brink of existence. It’s barely comprehensible to think how quickly technology has progressed in such a short space of time, when prior to the first computer being made, some people in the USA still didn’t even have electricity in their homes.  

In 2018, new tech advances, gadgets and devices are released pretty much daily, and there isn’t a single aspect of our lives that can’t be enhanced by technology. Due to overwhelming choice, it’s extremely difficult nowadays to know if you’ve made the right choice of new phone, tablet or smart watch. It seems that an upgraded model for every kind of device is released a matter of weeks after the last, rendering your new gadget obsolete when you only just got it! 

To help you out, we’ve written this article to give you a better idea of where to start in the vast sea of technology. Here’s how to ensure you’re choosing the best tech for longevity, durability and enjoyment.  

Think about what you want from your tech 

Make a list of what you want from your new gadget, whether it’s: 

• A digital SLR camera with a super-zoom and portrait modes 
• An MP3 player with wi-fi connectivity 
• A laptop with a high-quality webcam and all the programs you need in-built. 

Once you’ve ascertained exactly what you want from your product, you can start browsing brands and models for the best fit for your needs.  

Check product and consumer reviews  

Consumer and product reviews will give you a much better idea of what the product is really like than the person in the store will, who primarily wants to sell you the most expensive product. Yes, people are paid to put out positive endorsements on the internet too – so this is why you should go to plenty of different sources.  

Reviewers will often state when they have not been paid and are reviewing purely because they loved or hated the device, and these are the ones you can generally trust. YouTube is the perfect place to check out gadget and device reviews, as the reviewer will demonstrate exactly how it works and what they like and don’t like about each product.  

Compare a range of sources for your reviews. Go to YouTube, tech blogs, and reviews under product listings on websites to gain a fair assessment of the pros and cons of what you’re after.  

 Buy the latest model  

Generally speaking, the latest model of any piece of technology will do everything the old models do and more. Some can catch you out, though – like newer iPhones not providing headphone jacks – so do double-check before purchasing anything.  

Newer models will contain all the up-to-date technology and will be compatible with other newer devices. Older models can leave you with connectivity issues if you plan to sync them with other tech, so make sure you check if this will be a problem before you buy. Ask someone who works in a tech store for all the ins-and-outs (even if you don’t end up buying in store – you can often get things cheaper online).  

 Get multi-use gadgets  

Modern technology is designed now to encompass everything we need in one little device. That’s why iPods have been absorbed into iPhones, iPads and even Apple Watches; and smart speakers don’t just play music. Tech companies want you to spend big bucks on just one device that can do everything you need all in one, so you don’t go buying from anyone else.  

This is why tablet computers are so popular – they’re used for internet connectivity on the go, you can add headphones and listen to your whole music library, you can use them as word processors, as graphics tablets, as cameras, as games consoles, and much more. Multi-purpose devices mean you don’t have to buy and keep track of 5 devices – everything you need is in the palm of your hand.