Last Year’s New Tech

Let’s take stock for a moment of a few really awesome new gadgets that are currently on the market. Specifically the new iPhones, iPads, and Kindle.

  • iPhones 6: For all intents and purposes, the newest iPhones are the best iPhones ever made. They are ridiculously thin, have an incredible camera, and are wildly fast. I’m personally a huge fan of the new curved-edge design; the way the glass screen curves off the edge like a 4-sided infinity swimming pool is awesome. Not to mention the super-high-density of the iPhone 6 Plus’s display — it’s the highest resolution display Apple makes.

  • iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3: The iPad Air 2 is hands down the best tablet ever made. It’s curiously thin and seriously fast. The iPad mini 3 improves on last year’s iPad mini by adding Touch ID and a gold option.

  • The Kindle Voyage: The new flagship Kindle is also the best Kindle ever made. And it’s not just an incremental upgrade over last year’s Paperwhite — it’s an excellent step up in terms of the design, hardware, and e-ink display.

If you’re in the market for a new iPhone, iPad, and/or Kindle — this is a great year to buy. Each device is the best its ever been. But…

Despte the fact that there are all these new and amazing gadgets, I think it’s legitimately safe to say that many folks will prefer the tech that was new last year. And, in many cases, there are some people who would be better served by getting last year’s gadgets.

iPhone 6 or 5?

You may not want one of the new iPhones because the smaller form factor of the iPhone 5s is better to you. It will work with the Apple Watch when it ships and since the iPhone 5s has Touch ID, it will also support Apple Pay via the Apple Watch.

iPad mini 3 or 2?

You may not want the new iPad mini 3 because its only significant difference over the iPad mini 2 is Touch ID. As nice as Touch ID is, I don’t think it’s nearly as critical to have on an iPad as it is on an iPhone. That extra cost would be better spent on apps which will improve the utility of your iPad far more than Touch ID will.

Kindle Voyage or Paperwhite?

On the new Kindle Voyage, I think the 300 ppi display may be the least exciting upgrade when compared to the Kindle Paperwhite. Yes, the lighting is better, the form factor is better, and the page turn “buttons” are a most-welcomed addition. But I personally cannot tell a significant difference between the 212 ppi display of the Kindle Paperwhite and the 300 ppi display of the Kindle Voyage.

I don’t mean this as a put down to the Kindle Voyage at all. Mine arrived yesterday and I’m thrilled with it. But, it is one of those situations where it’s not an obvious choice. The Kindle Paperwhite is still a really great Kindle, and the $80 saved when compare to the Voyage may be better spent on Kindle books.

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All this to say, I think it’s a fascinating product lineup this year — there are some truly amazing and wonderful products available. But for the first time in recent memory, it’s not a completely obvious choice to just buy the latest version. Last year’s gadgets may not only be the better choice from a financial standpoint, but also as a personal preference as well.

Last Year’s New Tech