What do you need or want to do that your current tech tools don't let you do, or don't do well/conveniently/efficiently enough?
Examples would be things like:
watch movies in bed
do work on a train/plane
home improvement
listen to music
keep a calendar/reminders/to-do list
play games
internet stuff (obviously there are subcategories here, but you'll know if there's an internet-shaped hole in some part of your life)
talk on the phone while doing something else (e.g. walking)
take photos/videos of stuff
scan documents onto your computer to send or store digitally
Don't spend more than 15-30 minutes on this.
Once you know what you want, you can start asking which things will give you what you want.
Great suggestion. I'm travelling at the moment, but will review this list. I saw the "don't spend 15-30min" on this and have managed to not really look at the list yet. I plan to revisit it next week and think this will be a good exercise.
I found out I won second place in an idea contest at work and am being granted ~$400 to spend at Best Buy (the web site for any unfamiliar). Originally, I believe the second place prize was going to be an iPad, but it looks like they've decided to just allow me to pick something in that ballpark price range.
I suspect there are a fair amount of tech saavy folks on LW and thought I'd inquire as to whether you've purchased a device or accessory (or anything from Best Buy-ish stores) that has brought you an increase in efficiency, usefulness, pleasure, etc. The idea of a tablet appeals to me, but I'm not entirely sure what I'd do with it. Also, a data plan is not in my budget, so many typical uses are not applicable in my case.
Anyway, just hoping to probe some collective knowledge about this decision. I'm not very knowledgeable on devices and/or how longer term usage/satisfaction matches expectations or even money spent.
Thanks for any assistance!