Up Front: Nine Timeless Tips for Tech Buyers

Few things in this world change as rapidly or thoroughly as technology. That's why publications like PC World exist--to keep you up-to-date. And this special how-to issue contains more timely and useful advice about the latest technology than any in our nearly 20-year history.

Before you get started, though, here's some not-so-timely advice: nine buying tips that apply to virtually any tech purchase, large or small. Many of these are painful lessons gleaned from personal experience. Others are plain common sense. All will be as appropriate for selecting a personal matter transporter in 2102 as they are for choosing a PC, printer, handheld, or cell phone today.

>>TIP Choose quality over price: It's nice to get a bargain, but you'll usually do better by paying a few dollars more for durable technology that does exactly what you want. This doesn't mean you should splurge on everything. But choose the right technology first and then look for bargains, not the other way around.

>>TIP Buy yesterday's hot model: Specifically, buy it about two to three months after today's hot model hits the stores. The newer gear may be sexier, but it's nearly always plagued with bugs. So unless you specifically need the latest and greatest, let others blaze that trail.

>>TIP Lean toward what's popular: What a shame to have to offer this advice. But the best technology doesn't always win in the market (classic example: Betamax versus VHS), and, other things being equal, market winners tend to have better support, more software, and easier upgrade paths.

>>TIP Don't skimp on storage: You can never have too much RAM, flash memory, or hard disk space. For some reason, cramped storage tends to make gear obsolete faster than other seemingly serious deficiencies, such as a poky processor or limited input/output options.

>>TIP Wait before upgrading: Remember the vintner that promised to "sell no wine before its time"? Don't hop on each new trend (unless you work at PC World, where it's a way of life!). Instead, get as much use as possible from your old gear while not depriving yourself of significant new developments if they occur.

>>TIP Never upgrade on deadline: This sounds obvious, but it flies in the face of human nature. For example, I'm most likely to drop in a significant new application when there's an article due or a board presentation looming. Such upgrades rarely make your articles or presentations any better. They're just a technophile's version of procrastination.

>>TIP Don't expect things to work as promised: Years ago, when I was an editor at a science magazine, we used to joke that if we ever ran out of story ideas, we could just pick some expensive new piece of military hardware and write an article saying it wouldn't work. Nine times out of ten, this kind of story proves prescient--not because military procurement officers are dense, but because no new technology works as promised. So count on spending more time installing, configuring, and fixing that new gear than you had expected.

>>TIP Research, research, research: Okay, you don't need to do this for every cable. But investigate major purchases thoroughly beforehand. PC World and its Web site, PCWorld.com, are good places to start. You'll find many other suggestions in our shopping tips story, edited by Seán Captain.

>>TIP If you get burned, howl: Finally, if you wind up with a lemon, complain to the merchant, the manufacturer, the Better Business Bureau, and especially your credit card company (assuming you purchased it using a card). If you present your case calmly with lots of evidence, the card company will often back you up.

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