{"id":14770,"date":"2015-12-01T07:00:13","date_gmt":"2015-12-01T12:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/?p=14770"},"modified":"2017-11-19T10:01:00","modified_gmt":"2017-11-19T15:01:00","slug":"buy-tech-now-wait","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/buy-tech-now-wait\/","title":{"rendered":"Buy that tech now or wait?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s the age-old conundrum. \u00a0Pick up that cool tech product now or cool our jets and wait for the prices to come back down to earth. Oh, but Mom and Dad, &#8220;I need it now!&#8221; \u00a0In this guest post by Ben Taylor, he&#8217;s got the scientific data on what would be a historically correct decision to your situation. \u00a0Enjoy.<\/p>\n<h2>Buy Now or Wait? The Tech Products That Will Likely Drop in Price<\/h2>\n<p>Posted on November 24, 2015 by Ben Taylor<\/p>\n<p>Photo by Ben Taylor<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a common question, particularly around the holiday season: should I buy this pricey tech gift now, or wait until a price drop? Compared to prices for concert tickets, home furniture or travel, tech prices have a habit of coming down \u2014 and fast \u2014 sometimes in just a few short months. Technology is getting much better every year, and consumers are reaping the benefits. Consider, for example, that the cost of computer memory in 2001 was roughly 100 times more expensive than it is now. <em>(The 2015 cost has been rounded to the nearest cent.)<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; margin: 10px 0;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"500\" style=\"position: static; vertical-align: top; margin: 0 auto; display: block; width: 600px !important; max-width: 100%; min-height: 500px;\" src=\"https:\/\/w.graphiq.com\/w\/gLE7rVAvHp3\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>With this in mind, we looked at six popular tech gift categories to see just how much we expect prices to drop over the next 12 months. For each product type, we looked at the five top-rated products from 2014, then tracked how the prices changed exactly one year after their release.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; margin: 10px 0;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"630\" height=\"460\" style=\"position: static; vertical-align: top; margin: 0 auto; display: block; width: 630px !important; max-width: 100%; min-height: 460px;\" src=\"https:\/\/w.graphiq.com\/w\/hDpgpLnZeR\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>For some categories \u2014 like <a href=\"http:\/\/tv.specout.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">TVs<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/fitness-trackers.specout.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">fitness trackers<\/a> \u2014 the data says you should wait to buy, or at least consider a year-old device. Simply by waiting 12 months, you can expect to knock off around 30 percent of the price.<\/p>\n<p>On the flip side are <a href=\"http:\/\/headphones.specout.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">headphones<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/tablets.specout.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">tablets<\/a>, where you\u2019ll be lucky to save 15 percent even after waiting a full year.<\/p>\n<p>The results here are unsurprising for the TV market, where manufacturers charge thousands for the latest trendy technology (like 3D TVs before, 4K resolution now and even some 8K sets), while quietly selling older models at bargain prices. Our advice? Skip all the flashy tech and buy a two-year-old TV for around $500.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; margin: 10px 0;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" style=\"position: static; vertical-align: top; margin: 0 auto; display: block; width: 600px !important; max-width: 100%; min-height: 400px;\" src=\"https:\/\/w.graphiq.com\/w\/bgYy3qjt80Z\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>Meanwhile, fitness tracker manufacturers likely slash prices because the industry is still growing so quickly. Every year, better Bluetooth, GPS and tracking technology arrives, rendering year-old models a little under-featured. If you just want a simple step counter, save $100 and look a year back. But if you want all the latest tech, it might be worth splurging, even at the fitness tracker\u2019s inflated price point.<\/p>\n<p>On the tablet front, manufacturers seem to be realizing that people don\u2019t buy tablets every year, or even once every two years. For this reason, it\u2019s likely that tablet makers are starting to think more like game console manufacturers: set a high price tag, maintain similar specs for several years, then discount slowly and steadily over time. The data says you might as well pick up your iPad Pro or Surface Pro now, not later.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; margin: 10px 0;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"510\" style=\"position: static; vertical-align: top; margin: 0 auto; display: block; width: 600px !important; max-width: 100%; min-height: 510px;\" src=\"https:\/\/w.graphiq.com\/w\/8wDLmaFWQjX\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>Finally, we arrive at headphones, the most static of the six categories. By our numbers, a flagship pair of headphones will only drop 12.5 percent after a year on the shelves. Consumers seem to care little about the release date for a good pair of headphones, so manufacturers are happy to keep price points steady, sometimes for more than a year.<\/p>\n<p>The bigger issue with headphones, however, might be how much the industry relies on marketing. Like with wine, headphone quality is harder to judge than most people think, and only a select few can <em>really<\/em> tell the difference between a $60 and $200 option. Our advice: skip trendy brands like Beats, Bose or Skullcandy, which tend to markup their prices, then buy Sennheiser, Audio-Technica or even Sony at three quarters the price. Just don\u2019t wait. The data says it\u2019s not worth it.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/tvs.specout.com\">Compare Hundreds of TVs on SpecOut<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s the age-old conundrum. \u00a0Pick up that cool tech product now or cool our jets and wait for the prices to come back down to earth. Oh, but Mom and Dad, &#8220;I need it now!&#8221; \u00a0In this guest post by Ben Taylor, he&#8217;s got the scientific data on what would be a historically correct decision [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","cos_headline_score":0,"cos_seo_score":0,"cos_headline_text":"","cos_headline_has_been_analyzed":false,"cos_last_analyzed_headline":[],"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3636,607],"tags":[3722,369,895,3721,290,632,3720],"class_list":["post-14770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-past","category-tech-gadgets-gear-2","tag-fitness-trackers","tag-headphones","tag-smartphones","tag-smartwatches","tag-tablets","tag-tech","tag-tvs"],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","rpg_gallery_admin_thumb":"","rpg_gallery_thumb":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","gb-block-post-grid-landscape":"","gb-block-post-grid-square":"","et-pb-post-main-image":"","et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth":"","et-pb-portfolio-image":"","et-pb-portfolio-module-image":"","et-pb-portfolio-image-single":"","et-pb-gallery-module-image-portrait":"","et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth-large":"","et-pb-image--responsive--desktop":"","et-pb-image--responsive--tablet":"","et-pb-image--responsive--phone":""},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>It&#8217;s the age-old conundrum. \u00a0Pick up that cool tech product now or cool our jets and wait for the prices to come back down to earth. Oh, but Mom and Dad, &#8220;I need it now!&#8221; \u00a0In this guest post by Ben Taylor, he&#8217;s got the scientific data on what would be a historically correct decision to your situation. \u00a0Enjoy. Buy Now or Wait? The Tech Products That Will Likely Drop in Price Posted on November 24, 2015 by Ben Taylor Photo by Ben Taylor It\u2019s a common question, particularly around the holiday season: should I buy this pricey tech gift&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/past\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Past<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Tech, Gadgets &amp; Gear<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Guest Post","url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/guest-post\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","author_meta":{"display_name":"Guest Post","author_link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/guest-post\/"},"featured_img":null,"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Guest Post","author_link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/guest-post\/"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/past\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Past<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Tech, Gadgets &amp; Gear<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Past<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Tech, Gadgets &amp; Gear<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">fitness trackers<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">headphones<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Smartphones<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">smartwatches<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">tablets<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Tech<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">TV&#039;s<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">fitness trackers<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">headphones<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Smartphones<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">smartwatches<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">tablets<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Tech<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">TV&#039;s<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":0,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 10 years ago","modified":"Updated 8 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on December 1, 2015","modified":"Updated on November 19, 2017"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on December 1, 2015 7:00 am","modified":"Updated on November 19, 2017 10:01 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p21Ejy-3Qe","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11736,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/aarp-realpad-really\/","url_meta":{"origin":14770,"position":0},"title":"AARP RealPad \u2013 is it really for you?","author":"Doug","date":"November 10, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"AARP has entered the computer tablet market with their own version \u2013 the AARP RealPad. With a 7.85\u201d HD display and at only about 5\/16\u201d thick, this looks and feels like a quality piece of hardware. Designed as an entry level tablet for the tablet neophyte, there is probably a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Past&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Past","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/past\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"AARP REALPAD","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/AARP-REALPAD-THREE-VIEWS.png?fit=859%2C455&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/AARP-REALPAD-THREE-VIEWS.png?fit=859%2C455&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/AARP-REALPAD-THREE-VIEWS.png?fit=859%2C455&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/AARP-REALPAD-THREE-VIEWS.png?fit=859%2C455&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12277,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/thinkware-dash-cam-much\/","url_meta":{"origin":14770,"position":1},"title":"Thinkware &#8211; a dash cam that does so much more","author":"Doug","date":"January 5, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Everyone wants a dash cam to document an accident when the other driver is at fault, but many just can\u2019t justify the price on the outside chance they\u2019ll be in an accident. Now Thinkware has a dash cam that records accidents, but does so much more. The new Thinkware Dash\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Tech, Gadgets &amp; Gear&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Tech, Gadgets &amp; Gear","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Dashcam","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/150104-7638.jpg?fit=1067%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/150104-7638.jpg?fit=1067%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/150104-7638.jpg?fit=1067%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/150104-7638.jpg?fit=1067%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/150104-7638.jpg?fit=1067%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14794,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/top-ten-drones-for-this-holiday-gift-giving-season\/","url_meta":{"origin":14770,"position":2},"title":"Top ten drones for this holiday gift giving season","author":"Guest Post","date":"December 9, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Although the FAA is pushing for mandatory registration of all drones as early as 2016, common thought is that the typically dysfunctional government will either not get it passed or the legislation with be filled with unenforceable language. That said, it's still something to consider. I don't disagree with the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Past&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Past","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/past\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/DJI-Phantom-3.jpg?fit=500%2C290&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":35335,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/summer-gift-guides-who-do-you-need-to-buy-for-this-summer\/","url_meta":{"origin":14770,"position":3},"title":"Summer Gift Guides &#8211; who do you need to buy for this summer?","author":"Doug","date":"August 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Here's a handy page with links to all our late summer gift buying guides - for the outdoors person, for back to school, and for home and office. Enjoy.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Tech, Gadgets &amp; Gear&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Tech, Gadgets &amp; Gear","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Summer Gift Guide with choices for Outdoors, home and office, and Back to school","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/SUMMER-GIFT-GUIDE-COVER-5-1024.jpg?fit=1024%2C379&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/SUMMER-GIFT-GUIDE-COVER-5-1024.jpg?fit=1024%2C379&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/SUMMER-GIFT-GUIDE-COVER-5-1024.jpg?fit=1024%2C379&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/SUMMER-GIFT-GUIDE-COVER-5-1024.jpg?fit=1024%2C379&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11417,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/guideline-eyewear-great-sunglasses-great-price\/","url_meta":{"origin":14770,"position":4},"title":"Guideline Eyewear &#8211; Great sunglasses at a great price","author":"Doug","date":"November 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Back in 1974, Fisherman Eyewear revolutionized fisherman\u2019s vision with the introduction of Polarized sunglasses \u2013 giving greater vision at reasonable prices. Continuing in that same tradition, Guideline Eyewear has been offering the same great Polarized eyewear for all types of sportsmen and sportswomen. Guideline Eyewear \u2013 Swift Style Today\u2019s line\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Tech, Gadgets &amp; Gear&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Tech, Gadgets &amp; Gear","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Guideline Eyewear - Swift model","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/guideline-swift.jpg?fit=811%2C508&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/guideline-swift.jpg?fit=811%2C508&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/guideline-swift.jpg?fit=811%2C508&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/guideline-swift.jpg?fit=811%2C508&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":106234,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/a-tantalizing-trio-from-tranya-starting-with-the-nova\/","url_meta":{"origin":14770,"position":5},"title":"A tantalizing trio from Tranya &#8211; starting with the NOVA","author":"Doug","date":"August 14, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Three of Tranya's newest - two earbuds and a smartwatch for the exercise enthusiast.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Tech, Gadgets &amp; Gear&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Tech, Gadgets &amp; Gear","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/tech-gadgets-gear-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Tranya-Nova-with-sunset.png?fit=1016%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Tranya-Nova-with-sunset.png?fit=1016%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Tranya-Nova-with-sunset.png?fit=1016%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Tranya-Nova-with-sunset.png?fit=1016%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14770","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14770"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14770\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}