Are you an early adopter of new technology?

[MichaelCorfman]

Sometimes new technology sales exceed expectations. The Apple iPad is a good current example. On May 31st, less than 60 days after its launch, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced sales had passed the two million mark. And today, on June 23rd, a new milestone has been reached with the announcement that three million iPads have been sold. Clearly the iPad has captured the imagination and hearts of a lot of early adopters.

There is always a tough trade-off being an early adopter. There is glamor being on the edge of technology. But it is also called the bleeding edge because first generation products frequently have rough edges, so the "safe" path is to wait a little while and see.

Where do you fall on the spectrum from early adopter to waiting until you can get older technology cheap?

Share your personal examples with us. Tell us what you bought too soon and what you wish you had bought sooner, and why.

Michael

[Doolally]

I'm generally in the "give it a few months until it settles down" category.

I like the look of the iPad and I was thinking about purchasing one but to be honest, after the novelty of it, I can't see me using it much. I tend to like things with wires in the back.

[casinoplanet]

I agree with Doolally, I'm also a person who waits untill the major bugs are removed. But Apple shows over and over again that they are masters in marketing. Even I wanted an iPhone as soon as it got available, although I knew there were better and cheaper alternatives..... Wow, if I only had 10% of their marketing skills.....

[thepokerkeep]

I tend to wait at least six months. With computers, even longer. The exception to the rule for me is automotive applications. I love gadgets on my cars. built in BlueTooth, USB ports, iPod docks... got em all.

[pompeyrayuk]

Well I kinda wait to see what the locals are offering in the pub sunday lunchtimes lol

[Renee]

Although I'm one of the biggest nerds on the planet, I generally wait until the 3rd or 4th release of something before I delve into it... I'm that way with everything.. Technology, cars etc..

By the 3rd or 4th release they have generally fixed anything wrong with it.. and added anything else they forgot in the first couple...

I have to say after using the ipod touch (the latest release before the new model came out), I wouldn't get an iphone.. There are a lot of things that annoy me about the ipod touch.

I did plan with an iPad in Budapest when I was there a few weeks ago though, and the best thing about it was Angry Birds on the big screen... otherwise I didn't really see much use for it that I don't have something else for anyway.

[HBKKH]

I have a friend who scoops up the latest tech products. I usually wait for her review then decide whether to buy.

[LamLam]

Until it comes to Apple, LOL! It's not that I've waited in line at the store but I did pre-ordered and got really excited about it!

[RayUK]

I am typing this via a teletype and update my website my mailing in punch cards

[CasinoTom]

I have a friend who scoops up the latest tech products. I usually wait for her review then decide whether to buy.

Ditto - knowing someone who can't wait to buy these types of things beats any review I've ever read, plus you get to play with the gadgets first too!

[benthomaslee]

I am typing this via a teletype and update my website my mailing in punch cards

I'm with you I'm pretty sure these DVD things are here to stay might be time to trade in the old Betamax

[gamblingbutler]

I think it makes sense to wait some time before you buy a new piece of technology. Usually the product has gotten somewhat cheaper by then, you had the chance to get at least some reviews of friends for example or somewhere on the net. Buying it right away just makes me angry once I see the inevitable first price drop.

[Doolally]

Well I kinda wait to see what the locals are offering in the pub sunday lunchtimes lol

lol.... If there's an iPad or two kicking about, you know where to find me!!

[baldidiot]

I usually like to wait a while for the bugs to be sorted out, but I have to admit I did wait in line (only for an hour!) yesterday for the new iphone. But that was more to do with the fact that if you didn't get one yesterday you'll have to wait weeks for more stock. That and I really really wanted it