The title sounds obvious doesn’t it, but it is not something that everyone considers when purchasing a new product. It is easy to become consumed by the features, the design or the hype and to through your money down for that hit of dopamine.

I have done this many times on phones, watches, headphones and the like, and it has almost never worked out financially. On occasion certain purchases have proved to be excellent value, but it is only when looking back have I understood this, and it could take years to truly understand how good a product really is.

The Omega Seamaster my wife bought me for our 25th wedding anniversary. It is pre-owned, is 25 years old and keeps near perfect time, After 2 years of ownership it has barely left my wrist and will likely be attached to me when I die.

A Kindle Oasis that is 6 years old; I don’t use it much these days, but it is still going strong and proving to have been a worthy purchase.

Simple things like an old wired mouse which has been with me for more than a decade, a desk clock that I have owned for +30 years and a fountain pen that occasionally gets to do some writing.

These things mean a lot to me purely because I have owned and used them for a very long time and they have never let me down.

It would be very easy to presume that this is an experience that you can only get with analogue objects, but it is kind of possible with modern tech as well.

This is why I own an iPhone. For all of the arguments about Android vs iPhone, there is no doubt in my mind that an iPhone can work perfectly well for 6 or 7 years with a battery change at some point along the journey. This builds up an affection for the object and a familiarity which increases the value as time passes by.

I already feel like this about the Remarkable 2 and even more so since it has a keyboard folio to work with. No more screen glare, just me and some words. There is no doubt in my mind that this device will become one of those products that grows more valuable over time and which should stop me from even considering the relentless upgraid path.

Devices that have only one or two focussed uses tend to last longer, avoid the temptation of upgrading and have more chance of gaining our affection with perhaps the only acceptions being my iPhone and AirPods.

Modern tech is all about the latest features, the best specifications and the hype to some, but I do believe there is another way. Use what works for you and enjoy the ride for as long as you can make it last.

Categories: Articles, Thoughts