Laptop Thoughts: Technology: Buy Now or Wait?

""Should I wait or buy now?" I get asked this question constantly, because everyone wants to know whether there's some better, faster, or cheaper gadget coming around the bend that will make the device they covet today seem dated."

Interesting dilemma. There is new technology arriving on the scene all the time, but when does one decide that the time is right for that purchase? This article notes some upcoming technologies with notebook computers, smartphones and tablets. The author's recommendations are to go for that new notebook now if you need one, since low prices currently outweigh near-term technology improvements. As for smartphones, some compelling new products are on the horizon, including some sporting dual core CPUs and/or much better resolution screens, so waiting may be a good idea. Tablets? Wait a few months. Expect prices to drop (the author guesses under $300), with more competition to the iPad. As Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" arrives, expect a glut of new tablets, as well as RIM's PlayBook, and that some of the crappy rush-to-market products will fall by the wayside.