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The layers of upgrades, compelled to upgrade, an upgrade might be interesting, buy and install but never really upgrade…

I was, based on an email yesterday, thinking back over technology and, in particular, the concept of I have to upgrade. There are things that I have and use that I feel compelled to upgrade. Some technologies faded from my compelled to upgrade list to the nice when I get a chance, and there are devices and gadgets that I never upgrade.

The first category is cell phones. I have replaced my phone every year since 1990. Starting in 1994, I was only carrying one device (PPC phone) before that I was carrying a PPC (Compaq) and a phone. The interesting sidebar with this particular set is the reality of what was part of the phone then and now. A couple of devices I’ve had for years are gone now because they are integrated into the phone. I don’t carry a GPS, Satellite Radio or a music player anymore. Just my phone!

Tablets used to be upgraded every single year, but now I don’t feel compelled to do so. I have newer versions of the tablets I use (Microsoft Book and the iPad Pro). I also have a Samsung Note and a Kindle, but for the most part, the iPad and Surface Book are my two go two tablets. I haven’t upgraded either of them in more than a year, and I don’t see a compelling reason to do so in the near term.

Now that brings me to an interesting point. For example, there are some technologies that I love but don’t upgrade. I do software updates as required, but I don’t upgrade the hardware. Amazon Echo is one; I have the first one I got three years ago, the second I bought for the basement, and other than adding a new one, I haven’t upgraded the Echo in awhile. It is in a new category for me, buy and keep. I am probably going to buy the new Harmon Kardon Microsoft Cortana device this fall, not because of anything other than I like having a voice command in the rooms of the house I am infrequently. It will also fit into that new category of buying it, and that is it.

Compelled to replace, considering replacing and buy and install never upgrading are the categories I am talking about today. I may add these to my reviews in the future, as a category right before the actual rating. I haven’t decided yet; I will decide based on reader feedback!

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Written by DocAndersen

One fan, One team and a long time dream Go Cubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

32 Comments

  1. I got my mac book pro in 2014, and not seen the need to replace it yet, as it still works OK.

    I know I should upgrade my iPhone 7 plus but haven’t done that…My photos are too many and cant take photos anymore.

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  2. My friend, I would really like to advise you on something smart, just know that I don’t get to know these things … the only thing I update is navigating the car
     

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  3. I upgrade things at times, but sometimes it can become a headache lol. If I was as knowledgeable as you are about technology I would not be apprehensive about upgrading.

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  4. I get nervous about upgrades even though I do always go ahead… Hate it when things go wrong or when the upgrade gives more problems than the previous version. 🙁

  5. I dont worry much about phones. But two years ago I built my first PC. I made sure I had a Case that would hold way more than I had, for future upgrades. Also wide open spaces dont heat as fast. Im still using windows 7 and dont want 10. although Ill probobly wind up with it once the I9 processors come out and are tested , Ill up grade my MB and Chip set. Some of the programs I use for my Art were developed for Windows 98 lol.

    • Yeah I have a couple of desktop machines and I am not upgrading them, although I am running 10 (it is a lot more stable than 7 is).

      Overall, it is always an interesting problem.

      • My main interest is in graphics but not for gaming for rendering. I ve got a Nvidia Titan X card and its just amazing even with the I5 processor I have now.

        • I have a machine geared towards VR, more as a technologiest than as a gamer. My sons use it for gaming. I use it to explore business connections for VR.

          Always fun to consider!