Why Do You Need Electronics?
Seems like an easy question to answer. However, why do you actually need a computer or smartphone? This article will help you understand your electronic purchases—and whether or not you are overspending.
From the typewriter to the laptop, or from the picture tube to the flat screen, the evolution of electronics and technology was born out of purpose and has become a necessity in our lives today.
Many people place the value of particular electronics on brand names alone. In many cases, we as consumers fail to understand the factors that contribute to the quality and price of electronic items.
There are many factors to consider when purchasing electronics that will help you make an educated decision. For starters, while it is often true hat you get what you pay for, brand names and prices alone do not necessarily guarantee a quality product. One should often take into account that some manufacturers tend to cater to consumers of all incomes. They make less quality products that people from lower incomes can afford or just those that do want to spend higher amounts of money on technology.
For example, Samsung is known for the quality of its appliances and electronics. However, they are also interested in appealing to a market of consumers who can’t afford their higher-end items. So, they will produce a lower-end product that customers can afford but does not have the same features or longevity as their more expensive items.
As we all are aware, the cost of an item is greatly influenced by the manufacturing cost as well as the demand for the item by consumers. If an item is made with lower quality parts, whether that is because of the material used or the energy and time it takes to make them, then the cost may be lower and the product may not last as long.
As technology and electronics have evolved, we have become so dependent on our devices. The world revolves around technology and electronics. In today's world almost everything is driven by some sort of electronic. We wake up to them, we use them to plan our lives, we educate with them, we entertain with them. Our lives are governed by devices, often leaving us dysfunctional without them. We can’t leave home without them, we get frustrated or moody when they don’t operate correctly and we have to continually upgrade them, often spending money on the newest items when the one we currently own is perfectly fine.
To Buy or Not to Buy...That is the Question
Now this is a burning question we all need to ponder on when tempted to make any purchases. Like really? Do I need to upgrade my phone? Can I afford it and if I can, is now the right time to make this purchase?
I get it.
We all deserve to have nice things and to be able to treat ourselves to nice things. However, when it comes to electronic devices, keep in mind that companies make new products so often, that by the time you are getting used to your current device, they are introducing a new and updated version into the market.
For instance, let’s take a look at the Samsung A series, specifically the A10, A11, and A12 handsets. The Galaxy A10 was officially released on March 2, 2019, the Galaxy A11 on July 29th, 2020, and the Galaxy A12 on February 16, 2021.
The main differences between the 3 are the screen sizes, the ram, and the battery life.
The biggest difference is the price. The A11 was released roughly 18 months after the A10, then the A12 was released 6 months after the A11. Is it feasible for you to purchase a new phone 3 times in 2 years? These are things we have to consider when purchasing electronics.
We also have to think, "Are we spending money wisely?"
For example, iPhone customers who purchase replacement charging cables often complain that after a short time, the phones begin to reject aftermarket cords. So, when buying cables it may be best to purchase the original cable if you can, rather than replacing an aftermarket or very cheap cable every few months.
If properly cared for, an original cable can last over a year. In the time you spend buying cheaper items, you will have spent over 3 to 4 times as much more if you had just bought the proper cable initially. This same logic applies to headsets and earphones as well. Better quality products will not only last you longer, but they also will perform better and save you money that you can use for other things.
Shopping around for the best available deal is a great way to get an idea of what will be the best product you can purchase for the best price.
Oftentimes the more expensive products will be better in quality. Less expensive stores can provide cheaper items and prices, however, you run the risk of not getting good quality products. You may also encounter items that have brand names on them but are not the original items.
Check for logos in the right places, or faded logos.
Save Money—and Make Your Electronics Last!
When looking for good quality items, check how they are made. Quality items usually are sturdy with a good weight to them, they are properly insulated at the connection points and they have a quality gauge of thickness in the wiring. If they are made out of plastic, ensure that it’s not made cheap, meaning thin plastic that can easily break. If you are going to purchase it, be sure you are not being overcharged for a cheap product.
Time and time again, I see people continually having purchased the same item again and again because they are not properly caring for them. Their headsets get balled up in their pockets. Phones are in their back pockets. Parents allow their children play with very expensive devices in order to keep them occupied to appease them. If you want to avoid spending money unnecessarily, then please take more time to properly care for your investment.
After all, you work hard for your money, and even if you have an abundance of money, the less you have to replace things, the more often you will have those items available when you need them. —Tony Yashar
One item that I see that is replaced so often is headsets. The improper care of earbuds, headphones, and wireless headsets is such a common thing. However, with a few precautions you can prolong the life of your items.
Proper care of your headsets can ensure that they will be available to you long enough that you will feel satisfied with the purchase of the item. Many people cut the life of the product short by pulling the earpiece out of their ears by the cord or balling the cord up. Also, when you have to store the headsets, remove the jack from the device by the jack, not the cord. If you also remove the headsets when not using them then the chance of the jack getting bent and developing a short in the connection decreases. Properly wind the cord with 3 fingers in a circle when storing them. Let the jack hang free as well as the earpieces.
At some point, each one of us have unintentionally dropped our cell phone. I understand that cell phones are delicate items but to ensure the longevity of our purchases we must handle them with care. Properly store them, properly use them and when we lay them down, make sure they are not near substances, items, or in conditions that can damage them and cost us money.
We get so comfortable with our phones and it causes us to make bad choices with how we carry and handle them. I have seen people walk around with them in their back pockets, set them face down on counters, and even open doors with the hand they are holding the phone in. We have to be more aware of our devices when we are not using them. I have been guilty of falling asleep while listening to music with the phone in my hand. I have often dropped it that way—or my wife has taken it away from me while I sleep to protect the phone.
By increasing our knowledge of how products are manufactured and sold, how to gauge the best product for our needs, and how to take better care of our items so that they will last longer, we can ensure that our money is better spent and that our purchasing power is efficient.
We invite you to download Tony Yashar's eBook version of this thought-provoking guide, "Knowledge is Power, Volume 1: Electronics and You". It's totally resourceful—and free!
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