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How To Future Proof Your Tech Purchases.
Buying gadgets has become an arms race -- you buy the latest and greatest only to have it become obsolete two months later. We're all for sticking with [http://www.lastyearsmodel.org/ last year's model], but when it comes to buying new tech gear you want to make sure you don't buy this year's model two days before it becomes last year's model.
To help make sure your purchases aren't old new before you get home from the store, here's our guide to future-proofing your tech purchases
## Know the release cycle
New gadgets don't appear at random. For example, Apple products are so predictable there are website dedicated to tracking the release cycles. Thinking of buying an iPad or iPhone? Check out [http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/ MacRumors' product cycle buying guide] before you do.
Not every company puts out new products with the Metamucil-like regularity of Apple, but here are some basic guidelines:
# PCs/laptops/tablets -- The Consumer Electronics Show each January brings not only new laptops, tablets and PCs, but also new chips. That means the Christmas season, and the time leading up to CES is the worst time to buy new PCs. There's a reason gift cards are popular.
# Cameras -- Like laptops, new cameras often show up at CES; avoid buying a new camera in the last few weeks of the year. By the same token, come February, last year's models are available at deep discounts to pave the way for the new lineup.
# HDTVs -- Wait until fall. Typically new models show up at CES and then again in August. Football season in the U.S. means deep discounts even on those models that are only a month or two old. By the same token just before the Super Bowl (but after CES) at the end of January is another good time to upgrade.
## Returns, warranties and buy backs
Wherever you end up purchasing your gadget, make sure the return policy allows you to easily exchange your purchase should something go wrong. Lemons happen, make sure you're covered.
The usefulness of warranties, particularly "extended warranties," depends on how long you plan to keep your gadgets. If you upgrade frequently, you'll probably want the new version long before the old breaks, making the warranty a waste of money.
What might be more useful is something like Best Buy's "[http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Misc/Buy-Back-Program/pcmcat230000050010.c?id=pcmcat230000050010 Buy Back]" program. Buy back programs allow you to bring in your hardware and exchange it for a gift card worth a percentage of the gadget's original value. You won't come out ahead, but it will save you the trouble of putting your old gadgets on Ebay.
## Don't buy the hype
Finally, exercise a little restraint. Sometimes, despite how advertising may portray it there isn't a huge difference between last year's gadgets and this year's gadgets. When you're considering upgrading, make sure you're upgrading for features you'll actually use, not just buying into the hype-induced frenzy.
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