Pro-tips on tech gear from a former Microsoftie: Unless you are a hardcore gamer or doing incredibly detailed 3D modeling with your computer, DON’T BUY NEW. Around five years ago I decided to jump off the upgrade wheel, especially when you start looking at the cost ($1000 for a new phone? Umm… No.)
First piece of advice: DON’T BUY NEW. And I mean new ANYTHING. Especially smartphones. The technology is advancing only incrementally now. Cameras, processors, screen resolutions, etc. are not going to great dramatically better with any new version, no matter what Apple says. Let the lemmings buy new. That new device will be selling for 40 to 60% less within 2 years. Wait.
Second: Look for refurbished gear. You can get like-new devices for a lot less than normal price. And in years of buying stuff I have only had one refurbished item that was DOA (dead on arrival).
Third: Don’t buy an iPad. Even though I dislike Amazon, their Fire HD tablets are a great deal at $120. AND when they go on sale (usually Black Friday) you can get one for $90. That is for a 10 inch tablet. It’s ad supported, but if you look you can find a certain toolbox online that allows you to turn off ads and also install the Google Play store to open the device up.
Fourth: By used. Lots of small businesses on eBay sell used computers. Example: I’m replacing my old iMac with a used one. The used one is 10 years old, but for what I need from that computer it is perfect. And it was $145, with free shipping. For a 24″ iMac that originally sold for $1600. I like Apple tech because in my experience it tends to keep working for years and years. At least older Apple tech has..
Finally, always focus on what you NEED from tech, not what you may DESIRE. As the axiom puts it, the right tool for the right job. At one point I had seven computers in my house (!) and I finally went, Why do I need this? So now I’m down to 3 (one is my work laptop) and one tablet.
More than enough.