The Upgrade Syndrome

[ucfgrad93]

My cars are a 2003 Toyota Camry and a 2006 Honda Pilot. My iMac was purchased in August 2007 and my MacBook Pro in January 2008. My Kindle Keyboard was a gift in June 2011. And my iPhone 4 was purchased in June 2010.

It is easy to choose not to buy the latest and greatest. All it takes is a little self control.

[spindlegirl]

I consider myself to be halfway between the "upgrade because it's cool" type and the way I was raised - to buy something you like and settle on it.

I've explored a few e-readers, but have now enough experience, that simply the release of new models doesn't get me eager to go out and spend. However, if what I have should need replacing, I am glad that the technology is still keeping up with the needs of their customers.

[Sydney's Mom]

I am a gadget freak, but I still have my 2004 car, and when I mentioned to my husband that it would be expensive to get the roof fixed (it is a convertible), he just looked at me. He is a car freak - can control himseld for 6 years or so, but then, even though we said 10, he is ready for a new car. Sorry, mine is fine until they come out with a purple hardtop convertible.

I love sitting down and reading instruction booklets (I know, they are few and far between these days), and setting up my devices. I will definately go with the lighted kindle, and if the fire has anything I want, I might bite. I am really looking for a new computer - my daughter could use this ultrabook. I have my eye on a Surface (worst name ever?) - I need something that has java, so I can connect to work. But that market is so immature, there will be something new in a few months.

[QuantumIguana]

There are car freaks who feel they simply must get the next model, and there are car freaks who keep their cars working as long as possible. I consider the latter the real car freaks, they are the ones with the cool classic car in the garage. I'm not a car freak, but I intend to keep my car, a rather unstylish Toyota Yaris, running as long as it is keeping it is more cost effective than replacing it.

[Catlady]

If it still works, it generally doesn't get upgraded.

[Piper_]

Then there are some things that I worry about needing to "upgrade" because the newer models will be a downgrade for my personal tastes or needs.

E.g., My Kindle 3, with a keyboard and 3G. I dread there ever coming a day I can't use it, as I doubt there will be another model that allows me to control TTS and navigate menus by feel.

Or my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, since the new trend seems to be to replace microSD cards with cloud storage, and using higher resolutions than*1024 x 600, which is perfect for me.

sometimes, the adage "they don't make'm like they used to" fits. At least there's often a trade-off in quality or specs or features, especially when companies are trying to get prices way down.

[robertc88]

Any addicted golfer to the game/sport goes through the same habit of wondering how the next wonder club will perform versus what they have.

With the promise of added distance and how often manufactures release new clubs, by now shouldn't one's driver reach the green in one shot?

[StoryEnthusiast]

This shows mobile phones/tablets are still in their early or growth phase. The same happened in the history of PC. I used to upgrade constantly when new Windows version/PC came out. Now? I don't care, until my current PC breaks down.

[speakingtohe]

I pay a premium price for new tech that I really want. (like my PRS -300 for $379) or as a gift. Then I upgrade mostly when the price is right. For example I bought my roommate a PRS-350 as a gift for $199 but only bought myself one when the price was $50.

I would not have bought a T1 but my roommate bought me one as a gift. I like it okay but don't see it as a significant improvement.

I did buy a car once,, but found that life was not significantly improved. I would find myself taking a bus or a taxi or even walking because it was simpler than finding parking and cheaper than paying for it.

Helen

[xg4bx]

i generally don't upgrade squat, i simply don't care enough. i'm still using my k3 and my phone is a miserable lg slider smartphone that i only own because it was a freebie with my contract renewal.

however i do want a kindle "glow" so bad that i can taste it, that's the only thing that would make me upgrade the kindle.

[wyndslash]

i'm affected largely by the peers i keep company with, like you guys

i mean, i used to play online games and was active on those forums too, and when the users talked about buying stuff, i'd get excited and get in on the action too

[Freeshadow]

Originally Posted by robertc88

Any addicted golfer to the game/sport goes through the same habit of wondering how the next wonder club will perform versus what they have.

With the promise of added distance and how often manufactures release new clubs, by now shouldn't one's driver reach the green in one shot?

They play for real? I tought it was just an elaborate excuse for wearing this funny pants.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by xg4bx

however i do want a kindle "glow" so bad that i can taste it,...

So does Rover

[Andrew H.]

If you have a device that you use everyday and a new version comes out that will be better in some way that's meaningful to you, I don't see a particular problem with upgrading if the improvement would be useful to you. I didn't upgrade my k3 to a k4 because I didn't really care about touch...but I would have upgraded if there had been another 50% improvement in contrast, since it is a device I use often.

If the only improvement is the glow screen, I *may* upgrade...but only if there are no other compromises and I like reading with the screen.

At some point e-readers and smartphone and the like will essentially become commodities, with only incremental changes over time. Kind of like computers or even cars are now. But while things are still in flux, marketers are going to focus on the new features, and customers are going to have to decide whether it's important enough to upgrade based on their needs and, well, their salary.

[HansTWN]

If I think my old device is good enough I am not really tempted by upgrades unless they offer something I really want. Case in point is my Touchpad. There is nothing a newer tablet can offer me that I cannot do now. Sure, they maybe lighter, thinner, and faster but my Touchpad is good enough. Now give me a full Intel Windows tablet that offers the same battery life and weighs the same and I would be tempted. Or some new screen technology. Sure, higher resolution screens are great, but they are not keeping me away from e-ink yet. Manufacturers have to show me some real benefits before they get my money as long as the old device keeps on working.

This is also one of the advantages of custom ROM's. You get the latest features even on older devices.