Ask around, and you may hear people describe me as an early adopter of new technology. I've never thought of myself as one, though. For every bandwagon I've hopped onto before most folks, there are others I've delayed joining as long as possible.
No, I think of myself as a smart adopter: Someone who buys new technology at the right time for me--which can be bizarrely early, surprisingly late, or somewhere in the middle. Here are a few tips to consider as you consider just how early you want to adopt new products, services and technologies:
Ask real early adopters what they think. I'm not discounting the information provided by professional product reviewers-hey, I'm one myself. But if you're considering buying a bleeding-edge gizmo, start by seeking advice from folks who invested their own money and time in it. If you can't find anyone who'll give it a glowing recommendation, move on.
Peer into the future. Even the best pieces of technology are going to get replaced by something that's better (and probably cheaper. When the first iPhone came out in 2007 and didn't have high-speed data, it was profoundly obvious that it would be replaced by a 3G model within a year or so, so I waited. And I've spurned Blu-Ray to date in part because I think that digital downloads of movies will replace shiny discs of all sorts well before the end of the first Obama administration.
Be wary of the box+service equation. Small companies launch gadgets that are dependent on accompanying services all the time. Their mortality rate is so high that buying such devices is inherently risky--if the service goes away, you've got yourself a doorstop. Smart adopters wait until new boxes show signs of success before signing up.
Invest in gear you already own. Reinvigorating a device can be just as rewarding as replacing it, and it's likely to be a lot cheaper. Recently, I was awfully tempted to buy a pricey new digital SLR. Instead, I bought a couple of reasonably-priced lenses for the one I already have. Result: It feels like a whole new camera.
Ask yourself if you're willing to troubleshoot. When it comes to software, I'm sometimes a ludicrously early adopter: I've been known to install new versions of Windows and Office on my primary computer when Microsoft has specifically advised against doing so. That's in part because I get a kick out of figuring out solutions to the problems that almost always crop up. But if I didn't like fixing things, I'd postpone my upgrades until other people had discovered and resolved the worst initial glitches.
Look for timesavers. The best new products of all are those that make your day more enjoyable by letting you accomplish tasks more quickly. (That's why I paid big bucks for a DVR back before most people had ever heard of TiVo.) And some of the worst ones are those that claim to do something worthwhile but in fact end up complicating your life. (I may be a smart adopter, but I'd love to get all the hours back that I've wasted wrestling with gadgets that just weren't worth the effort.)
Have fun. Almost nothing in the world of tech is worth doing if it brings you stress rather than pleasure. If you get viscerally excited by the notion of using a new gadget--as I did when I bought a car equipped with GPS navigation in 2004--you might love it even if it isn't perfect. If you can't figure out whether you'd enjoy it or not, it's a sign that you should wait.
Never apologize. I've had folks make fun of me for buying into new product categories too early; I've had the same people snark at me for moving slowly on other fronts. And that's okay. The point of of technology isn't to impress anyone else; it's to make you happy and productive. In other words: March to your own tech drummer.
Discuss
Elizabeth Reid on June 12, 2009, 12:24 AM
I remember in the earlier 70’s my older brother worked all summer to save up and buy a brand new small, electronic Texas Instruments calculator for $100.00. A few years later they were to be found hanging along side batteries and multipacks of Life Savers on shelves that were designed to get you to do some last minute buying as you waited on line for a cashier. How was he to know this would happen? ( He still has the calculator and it is in perfect working condition- I guess it was worth $100 after all.) Great story- but I think it’s the exception.
I like McCraken’s advice. He’s slower to buy the lastest gizmo than most. So am I. I like the wait and see approach. I also ask myself is this something that I really need and that I will actually use? When it comes to my computer the answer is usually yes. Almost all of the software and hardware I’ve added has made my computer either easier or more enjoyable to use. One mistake that comes to mind is when I bought a bluetooth headset for my cell phone. I found it uncomfortable to wear, and not really worth the trouble or cost. Many people find them great to use, but I didn’t really need it, so its in a drawer somewhere.
I am still waiting a laptop that you can use outside and see the screen clearly and a laptop battery that actually gives out power for more than an hour or so. Can anyone help me here?
Amanda Stillwagon on June 12, 2009, 10:48 AM
I try to make smart purchases by thinking about how much use I will get out of the product and for how long. I’m with you, I don’t see a need to rush out for a BlueRay player. Especially since no rental places around me carry BlueRay discs and I refuse to pay $50.00 to buy a movie. I’ll wait to see what the next step may be. Elizabeth has a good point about laptop screens. I can barely see my screen when I’m outside.
Anita Campbell on June 12, 2009, 10:33 PM
Harry, I read somewhere that women tend to be less of gadget and technology enthusiasts than men — and not early adopters.
I don’t know if that’s just a gender-based stereotype, but it’s certainly true in my case. I have no desire to tinker around with software or computers. All I care about is that they work when I need to get something done.
However, I jumped on the netbook bandwagon reasonably early. It was not because I am into computers or needed a shiny new gadget, but because I was so fed up with lugging a heavy widescreen laptop on business trips. As long as I have a problem to solve, I am eager to be an early adopter.
Point being, necessity can drive becoming an early adopter in selective cases.
Elona Hartjes on June 16, 2009, 9:30 AM
What can I say about early adopting after I purchased a Dell Mini 9 and upgraded it myself to 2RAM and 32GB only to learn that Dell is no longer offering the Mini 9 after only 9 months. What can I say? I can say that I love it, and I don’t care. It brings me lots of happiness. Makes me wonder though is the Dell Mini 10 only going to be offered for 10 months?
Arthur Bland on June 26, 2009, 1:24 AM
Timesavers. Who wouldn’t want those? In other words: March to your own tech drummer. — I Strongly agree with you here Harry.
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