Creating Need Versus Want

I’ve posted before about my technological evolution.  My Osborne “portable” computer in the mid-eighties, getting a cell phone and Email capability in the mid-nineties and going completely online just after 9/11.

I couldn’t do my job without what has been developed over the last 25 years.  My personal life would be lessened without the technological evolution.

That said, while I might “want” an iPad, I don’t “need” one.  Yet.

I know, those of you that know me, know I’ve got a lot of gadgets I don’t “need.”  Flat screen TV, smart phone and a fancy DSLR come to mind. 

In the realm of consuming stuff, I think that there’s a continuum between want and need, the point of need appearing at a different place for different people.  When you reach your need point depends on economics, lifestyle, your social structure and a host of other factors.

Right now, I’m not up to my need point on the iPad continuum.  I have a Mac Mini, an Android smart phone and a Macbook.  The iPad has some of things all of them have with some things none of the others have. 

I got the Mini and the Macbook to replace crapped out Dell products, escape from Microsoft and gain the benefit of elegant design and operation.  I got the smart phone when it did enough things that I wanted to do, and couldn’t do on the phone I had.  The iPad doesn’t replace the functions of the desktop, the phone or the laptop, so for me, it needs to do something I want to do and can’t now do. 

When that happens, I’m in because I’ll “need” it.