From faulty computer accessories to disappointing gadgets, journalists share their tech purchase mistakes.
In a world filled with enticing tech products and constant marketing campaigns, even seasoned journalists can fall victim to regrettable purchases. As consumers, we often find ourselves swayed by what’s popular or what seems too good to be true. In this article, we delve into the experiences of journalists who have encountered disappointing tech products, offering valuable lessons and advice to help readers avoid similar mistakes.
Two computer mice and one terrible keyboard tray
Nitasha Tiku, a journalist, shares her regrettable purchases of the Apple Magic Trackpad, a Kensington Orbit trackball mouse, and a keyboard tray. The large size of the Magic Trackpad crowded out her keyboard, while the trackball mouse failed to alleviate wrist pain. Additionally, the keyboard tray broke three times in three years, leading Nitasha to be keyboard-tray-less.
The Baratza Encore coffee grinder
The author recounts their experience with the Baratza Encore coffee grinder and how it failed to live up to the hype. Despite the claims that burr grinders provide a superior coffee experience, the author couldn’t discern a noticeable difference in taste compared to their previous $20 grinder. The bulky size of the burr grinder also posed a challenge in their small kitchen.
The Kindle Fire tablet
Heather Kelly, a reporter, shares her disappointment with the Kindle Fire tablet. While initially attracted to its affordability compared to iPads, she found the tablet’s numerous junky apps and difficult-to-use parental control features to be major drawbacks. In contrast, she expresses her loyalty to the Kindle Paperwhite, a simpler and more focused e-reader.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds
Chris Velazco, a gadget expert, expresses his dissatisfaction with the Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds. Despite their high price tag of $300, the earbuds failed to fit properly and the touch controls felt cumbersome. Chris is currently on the hunt for wireless headphones that work seamlessly with both iPhones and Android phones.
‘Talking’ pet buttons
Andrew Van Dam shares his experience with viral pet technology that promised to help dogs communicate through buttons. Despite programming the buttons with words like “outside” and “dinner,” his dog never grasped the concept, leaving the buttons collecting dust. Andrew humorously blames the tech for his dog’s lack of button-pressing acumen.
Conclusion:
The experiences of these journalists serve as cautionary tales for tech enthusiasts. It is important to be cautious of internet-famous products and not to be swayed solely by marketing campaigns. Furthermore, one should be wary of products that promise to transform one’s life or turn them into a different person. Borrowing or buying used products can also be a wise decision to avoid regrettable purchases. By learning from these tech regrets, readers can make more informed decisions and avoid disappointment in their own tech purchases.
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