So you're an Apple Camper. That's my term-I-just-made-up for someone who is always waiting for the next hardware revision to come out before they buy. Whether it be iPhone, MacBook, or iPod, there's always a product refresh just around the corner that you might as well wait for. If this is you, I want to tell you that I really think you're looking at this whole situation wrong.

I know, I realize you really just want to get the most bang for your buck. And I don't blame you for wondering what's coming next; Apple is notoriously good at keeping things secret and letting people hype all kinds of crazy magical possibilities. But really you should ask yourself, "Why am I really getting this device?"
If the reason you're considering a new Apple device is that your current hardware doesn't suit your needs or is generally causing you pain: Are you upgrading from an existing piece of Apple hardware? Is it 3+ years old, or broken, or otherwise actually underserving your needs (and not by just being not-as-cool)? Or are you a first-time buyer or switching from another brand/type of device? Then go ahead and buy now. Whatever revision coming next isn't going to be a big enough deal to seem significant over what you have now. Seriously - I've been through enough Apple hardware cycles to know that every time I skip one or two generations it's really not a huge deal. The reason why will become clear in a second.

If the reason you're considering a new Apple device is because OMUGUH EVRUHONE ELSE HASS HWON, or I MUST HAVE THE LATEST THING. Then yes, you should wait until the next revision and stand in line to make sure you have one on the day it's released. Then you have a good month or so of being able to show off the new styled device and its subset of new things it can do to everyone else that has the old version. There's seriously something to be said for the amount of smugness you can display for the few months of time when everyone else hasn't caught up to your novelty.
Typically, the features you're getting with the version that's out now are really solid and reasonably current. I mean seriously, they refresh these things every year or less anyway so you're getting the state of the art in most respects. Apple wants you to want the next thing they're putting out, no matter what it costs. And they want you to look at what you have now and think, "Man, if I only had the latest version it would be better." It makes them a lot of money this way. And it makes you unhappy. Modern psych studies show that material things (aside from food/clothing/shelter) are terrible at making you substantially happier and jumping on the treadmill of Apple upgrades from the start is just going to be a bummer later. Believe me, I know.
One final note: If you're waiting for the next revision because of financial reasons, It is true that they have substantially discounted older model versions in the past. The iPhone 3G dropped to $99 when the 3GS came out. I can't argue with that point, as long as it's close enough to the date where there's really going to be a refresh. But then again, how do you know? And does the amount of time lost or stress involved in coping with the hardware you currently have make up for the amount of time you'll have to wait for the refresh (especially hard to calculate when they don't announce anything solid anyway)?

So now I've said my peace on this. As a recovering Apple Camper myself, I'm happier now that I make my buying decisions based on whether there'll be a substantive improvement in my quality of work or life because of them. Ever since I've avoided the treadmill of waiting for the next version and being unhappy when it arrives, I've been a slightly happier person. Your mileage may vary. Some restrictions apply.
So when does the next iPhone come out again? Summer? *looks at current iPhone 3GS* I wonder if it'll have a higher resolution... hmmm... :)

Posted via email from Brian Fioca Land