So you want to make that Diwali purchase of a digital device or computer? Great! Festive season is a good time, with many having bonus payments while companies seemingly offer great discounts, freebies and attractive offers. If you want to look back at your purchase a year hence and not feel bad, here are a few tips thoughts.
TVs are now computers: Yes, they have integrated circuits in them, take time to load your direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast content and the new ones are “Smart TVs” that can also get you connected to the Internet and watch YouTube videos. The catch: warranties are important. Try to get the best/longest warranties, like you do in cars and computers, because replacing components can sometimes be difficult or expensive
Look at your service bill: TVs are getting cheaper, and digital set-top boxes are oh-so-attractively priced. The catch lies in the service bill you pay every month for viewing your bouquet of channels. Or, if you are buying a tablet PC or a smartphone, have an Internet data plan budget in mind when you do.
Keep a shelf life in mind: When are you going to upgrade your gadget next? Buying a cheap one that will go out of vogue in six months is as bad as going for an expensive one whose price will drop by a third in a year (which leaves you bitter-mouthed on the current discount). My usual style is to go for something that will last at least two years. For example your smartphone had better be 3G enabled. Smart TVs are great only if you have a plush budget and a nice broadband plan to go with it.
{{/usCountry}}Keep a shelf life in mind: When are you going to upgrade your gadget next? Buying a cheap one that will go out of vogue in six months is as bad as going for an expensive one whose price will drop by a third in a year (which leaves you bitter-mouthed on the current discount). My usual style is to go for something that will last at least two years. For example your smartphone had better be 3G enabled. Smart TVs are great only if you have a plush budget and a nice broadband plan to go with it.
{{/usCountry}}Music is great, not big: New music systems pack quite a punch. Go for the audio features, not the large-sized looks. Even portable or smaller sized audio systems carry a great sound these days. Make sure they have a USB interface if you can because downloading music from the Net and playing it on a USB is going to get more common than CDs.
All-in-one computers are great: I simply love them. A snazzy laptop can pack features but a desktop computer is great if you want large screens and comfortable keyboard use. New desktops now come without the clutter and in my humble opinion, are not sufficiently appreciated for home use. With its central processing unit (CPU) and speakers packed into a flat screen unit that have sufficient USB holes, an all-in-one looks and acts lovely.
Have a great Digital Diwali.