Christmas bonus? 13th month pay? This means gadget shopping for geeks out there this coming holiday season. But along with it comes the challenge, what gadget should I buy? So before you go on a gadget hunt you might want to ask yourself these six questions before you make your purchase.
1. Can I afford it?
Probably the most important part in this list. Since buying a gadget obviously requires money, ask yourself if you have enough money to purchase the gadget that you love so much. And if you do, also ask yourself if you’ll be able to live comfortably after buying it. It doesn’t make sense to have an iPhone 5S then put yourself on a mandatory “diet”. The same concept applies if you purchase on credit.
2. What features do I need?
Gadgets are all about specs and features. The higher the specs and the more plentiful the features, the higher the price tag. So ask yourself, do you really need those specs and features? Do you need LTE connectivity if you mostly spend your time in a non-LTE area? Do you need mobile data if there’s always free WiFi accessible or if your 3G network sucks? Do you really need a gold-colored smartphone with 64-bit processing and a fingerprint scanner? Knowing what features you need can help you decide which gadget suits you. Letting go of fancy features you won’t fully utilize can actually save you some cash.
3. Does it suit my lifestyle?
This part complements number 2. Ask yourself if you’re a gamer, a bookworm, a music lover, a mobile photographer, a traveler, etc. This can help you decide what screen size, build, features and specs your phone should have. Your gadget should complement your lifestyle, that way you won’t have to complain about your device’s limitations. It’s irritating to hear a person complain about an entry-level device just because it couldn’t play Dead Trigger 2 smoothly.
4. Can I maintain it?
A gadget is a liability, not an asset as it takes money out of your pocket. It needs to be maintained. You need to buy prepaid cards or pay your postpaid bills to stay connected. You will need to protect it from getting damaged as well so a screen protector and a good protective case is required especially if you’re too clumsy. God knows you won’t settle for just one case or screen protector.
5. Can I afford to lose it?
There will be unfortunate moments in your life that will put an end to your gadget’s happy days. It can get stolen or damaged beyond repair. A person with a sub Php4K smartphone won’t grieve much compared to a person with a much expensive device. If you can’t afford to lose it then better get a gadget insurance or make sure that your phone has good warranty. Also, when purchasing online, it pays to know the difference between a Manufacturer Warranty and a Service Warranty.
6. Am I going to be happy with it?
Regardless if it’s a local brand or a premium brand, what matters the most is that you’re happy with the gadget you bought. Even if you purchased a very affordable phone it should be something you won’t hesitate to use in a room full of iPhone users because that’s what you need. I used to own a sub-Php1K feature phone and when someone asked me why I bought a cheap one, I just dropped it on a hardwood floor, picked it up and used it again like nothing happened. Point taken.
To sum it up, if you’re going to buy a gadget make sure that it sits well within your budget, it has the specs and features that you need, it suits your lifestyle, it’s something you can easily maintain, something that you can afford to lose, and lastly, it is something that makes you happy.
In the meantime, you can check out our Christmas Gadget Guide below:
YugaTech Christmas Gadget Guide: Smartphones
YugaTech Christmas Gadget Guide: Laptops & Ultrabooks
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