Used or New?

Like many people interested in technology, there is nothing quite like the pleasure of opening a new device and setting it up. Obviously this is a superficial pleasure and fleeting, but it is something I enjoy nonetheless when I have purchased something new.

Now, when purchasing used technology this pleasure is absent. Not that should detract from the enjoyment (hopefully) of using the device. There is also the fact that someone else has been using whatever it happens to be, so it will never be the same as an out-of-the-box item.

Should this matter? Perhaps not, though this is a factor at the back of my mind when considering buying something.

Then there is the issue about warranty. It is unlikely that a used item (certainly over 2 years old) will have any kind of warranty, so if I buy a dud I am stuck.

The primary reason for buying a used item is simple; to save money. With many items this is a sensible and cost-effective way of buying something that is wanted. But is it a good idea with used technology? I am not so sure.

I guess I am a sucker for the 'new thing out of the box' scenario, but on a more sensible level I also think that perhaps buying tech new is a good idea for peace of mind (ie warranty) but also ensuring what is purchased is relevant and should stay relevant longer than an older item of technology. This last point is perhaps very relevant to technology where the evolution of devices is extremely fast.

The decision is made

So I have decided on the solution to my quandary as to what system to get next.

And the winner is - Apple!

That is quite surprising, and my decision has somewhat surprised myself as I had already pretty much decided what I was going to get.

This was based on a simple pro and con discussion with my wife but also the desire to try something new, and something I can embrace. I have used Windows and Linux for many years and I feel it is time for a change.

I have admired my mother's iMac from afar for some time too. She doesn't appreciate what she has or even use a fraction of its capabilities but from the brief times I have used it I have enjoyed the OS as a whole.

Now don't get me wrong, I am no stranger to Apple in that I have owned iPods, and have had an iPhone in the past, which was a fantastic phone until it became outdated. But like any technology, it cannot be expected to last forever with no degradation in performance particularly as the software evolves.

So there you have it. Main problem now is saving up for it! So this leads me on to my next decision. Should I get an iPhone first or look to get a Macbook? Hmmm...

Windows laptop or Chromebook?

Later this year I hope to replace my aging PC with something new.

I want something portable, and able to meet all my needs. However this lands me in something of a dilemma. Do I look to get a low-cost Windows laptop, or do I look to get a decent Chromebook?

I had concluded that a Chromebook would be the best option for the money. I am already entrenched in Google products (despite not being overly comfortable with that!) so that seemed like the logical choice. I am not a power user of Windows and the majority of my activities are online.

For work processing and spreadsheets I have been using Google Docs for many years.

So I thought the choice is pretty clear.

Then I started thinking about flexibility, and the fact that I have not actually used a Chromebook before (except for a few minutes in-store). Do I really want to be locked into this? I do like to use Firefox as my browser, but that will not be possible. Neither would be an alternative browser of any kind. And I am not sure either if my VPN tunnel would work. Hmmm.

But then this would make a great family machine. They also use Google predominantly. The machineesd are small, simple and fire up in a matter of a few seconds.

So then I thought then maybe a Windows laptop might not be a bad choice. As well as that I could dual boot to Ubuntu, which would be pretty useful. But then there is the issue of cost. I could get a reallt decent Chromebook for less than £300. I think I'll struggle to get a decent Windows laptop for that kind of spend.

So I'll keep debatinjg this in my head for now.

A Little Update

Well it's been a while. I thought I would put some words to paper (so to speak) and catch up on the current tech world.

As usual technology marches on; it seems a unstoppable machine of updates, advancements in speed of devices and how thin they can be made. But what about battery life? There are plenty of stories going around about new kinds of battery that offer extended life, or are quick to charge. The quick charging appears to be out there now in some devices, but the basic question about battery life on a grand scale remains unanswered.

Google have recently held their annual conference, revealing a new set of 'Nexus' devices as well as a tablet and Chromecast devices. But what happened to the great value when buying a Nexus device? The prices have been creeping up unfortunately. I guess that business plan ultimately proved unsustainable.

Microsoft have also announced some changes, a new surface pro plus some new phones. All this is making Microsoft more attractive especially as Google seem somewhat embroiled in some anti-trust issues that suggest that perhaps we don't want to be 'sharing' as much data as we do.

And Apple; not so much the pioneers they once seemed to be but continue to turn out well-though and well-made devices. They have also made a point of their transparency with our data, which is reassuring for customers. Shame they are so damn expensive!

So it is all to play for. Canonical has been pretty quiet but still moving forward. I still would like to see the 'proper' Ubuntu phone touted as an all-in-one device that can dock with a screen and keyboard to become a full-blown PC. I would like to support them more but their phone OS is not quite there and missing what I regard as essential apps such as maps with navigation. Though it seems Microsoft are pursuing the same idea, the do-it-all phone. I suppose they have more chance of pulling it off; they certainly have to resources to do so. So watch this space I guess!