by 1 person |
It's fun to be an "Early Adopter", balancing out there on the leading edge of the new technologies. It's also expensive, frustrating, and a big gamble... all for the fleeting rush of being the first one in your favorite forum to own one.
I've abandoned the leading edge, and now make my home on the Trailing Edge of Technology. We "Late Adopters" get products after the bugs have been worked out, get the products with thousands of glowing reviews, and save a TON of money in the process.
This lens is dedicated to helping you think differently about high-tech gadgets, and how (and when) to get them. I'll outline some general philosophies, point you toward some of my regular sources for Trailing Edge Tech, and also post specific deals when I find them.
[The item pictured is actually my latest Trailing Edge purchase, the Canon PowerShot S1 IS.]
Late Adopter Special of the Week
$500 for a game system? I think not!
- NEW Sony PlayStation 2: $128.99
- Get a brand-new game system for the price of a game! There are hundreds of spectacular games available for the Playstation 2, and most of them can be had for a bargain, too.
Items from the Late Adopter Blog
Dedicated to Trailing Edge Technology
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byBuy Refurbished Technology
Just like new.
Most manufacturers of digital technologies also sell refurbished versions of their products.
These items are seldom their latest stuff, and so the particular models have been in the marketplace for a while (and you can easily find out if they are prizes or lemons).
Even though they are not "new", they are almost always as good as new, and come with manufacturer warranties.
It's also a great way to get a popular model that is no longer coming off the production line (e.g., the Canon PowerShot S1 IS).
These items are seldom their latest stuff, and so the particular models have been in the marketplace for a while (and you can easily find out if they are prizes or lemons).
Even though they are not "new", they are almost always as good as new, and come with manufacturer warranties.
It's also a great way to get a popular model that is no longer coming off the production line (e.g., the Canon PowerShot S1 IS).
- Fry's Electronics
- Fry's carries a lot of refurbished products. I've bought the folloiwng refurbished items there: a Canon scanner, a FujiFilm digital camera, a Canon printer, a 10/100Base-T Switch, an external DVD burner.
- Apple Computer
- iPods, PowerMacs, MacBooks: Apple always has good deals on their Refurb page. These products are significantly discounted, and still carry the one-year warranty. I've purchased seven Macs from the Apple Refurbished Products web page.
- Adorama Camera
- Great customer service, and great deals on closeout, refurbished, and used equipment. They carry a zillion digital cameras, film cameras, camcorders, binoculars, telescopes, even computers, and all the accessories to go with them.
- Amazon
- Yep, Amazon carries more refurbished products than you can count. And if they aren't carrying them, one of their Marketplace Sellers is! Almost any new item Amazon carries can also be found refurbished by clicking in the "More Buying Choices" box.
- Palm Outlet
- Get one off the most popular PDAs ever, and a great price. The Palm Outlet Store sells open box, blemished, and refurbished versions of their amazing little handhelds.
Buy Used Technology
It's still new to you!
Once you know the trailing edge items you want, buy them used from the Early Adopter who is dumping it to move on to they latest gadget.
- Ebay
- No surprise here. You can pretty much find whatever you want on Ebay. Just be a careful shopper (pick sellers with great feedback and read the auction descriptions closely), and you can pick up some wonderful Trailing Edge Tech.
- Amazon
- It is my opinion that Amazon makes more profit from their Marketplace Sellers selling used stuff than they do on new products from their inventory. If Amazon sells it, you are just about guaranteed to find someone selling it used. And you can pay with your credit card as though you are buying from Amazon! Watch sellers' ratings, though.
- GameStop
- Get used games and game consoles for a lot less. Remember: Even if you buy Halo 2 a year after your friends do, you'll still be playing it for the first time! And saving a lot of money.
Refurbs on Amazon
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by kactuswren
I am an Anthropology student who is using his software engineering degree to pay the bills. I'm a life-long (since 1984, anyway) Apple Computer... (more)
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