Ask HN: I have $1200 to spend on gadgets, what should I buy?

[throwaway_yy2Di]

A vacation.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1474454

[1337biz]

Upvoted this thread just because of this link to that post. Excellent advices!

[dkd]

really nice advises from the link. thanks for the sharing.

[umrashrf]

I think it exceeds his budget by the fact that he will also have to spend time which he can otherwise use to make more money. Doesn't it?

[pavlov]

If you don't have any specific needs, are you sure it's worth spending that money on electronics?

Personally I hate the remorse that comes every few months when I go through a drawer and discover a barely used iPod touch or other device that I once thought might improve my life, but didn't.

[bhoomit]

I was worried about the same thing when I bought my point and shoot. But I used it like one use his cellphone. And the other thing is for a long time I wanted to hack new gadget like leap motion.

[corporalagumbo]

If it was me, it'd be a toss-up between a combination of: eReader, tablet, and a Nexus 4. Items to increase my learning efficiency (eReader/tablet) and productivity (Nexus 4).

And I would wait til October for the new Paperwhite and probably the new Kobo Arc.

Also I would want to put about 10-20% away into some sort of investment fund unless there were some items that offered a serious short-term productivity increase the money could rather go to. Just a general rule.

[bhoomit]

I already have Nexus 4, thinking about iPad mini.

And this is 80% of the actual amount :)

[ISL]

Freedom.

Find whatever makes you free, and do that. Gadgets are a small set of the tools that can make that possible. Knowledge is even better.

I see that bgar's already asked you what you have.

What do you want to do?

(For me, if constrained to gadgets, perhaps a DAQ card can open a lot of doors. Arduinos are cheap, LabJacks and fancier can get a lot more done with greater sensitivity. Got only $10 and an I2C interface? You can have an unreasonable quantity of fun with an AD7746. Seriously.)

[jacquesm]

Save it for when you need it. Donate it to Watsi. Whatever you feel like but don't buy crap you apparently don't need.

[fmax30]

i have saved up 1000$ to buy gaming consoles and equipment (LCDs, Leap motion , games etc). But it is mainly due to the fact that before becoming a professional i was never able to afford the latest consoles and games :P.

[LarryMade2]

If you don't have a need for anything and that cash is burning a hole in your pocket, invest in tools or supplies .

I mean real tools - Maybe a repair kit that includes all those fancy security screws and stuff to fix your iPhone, or some portable muilti-use power tool, so when you need em and have em (it's a good feeling). Best to get the stuff you know you will actually use.

Supplies - got a color laser printer? stock up on those pricy extra toner packs, buy that bulk pack of ink, get extra paper.

Ergo stuff, how about your workspace, need a better chair or desk (I got myself an adjustable standing/sitting desk, it was a good investment) Maybe dual LCDs?

Organization stuff - example - If you have a ton of DVDs filling up bookcases may I suggest Disc Sox - http://www.amazon.com/DISCSOX-DVD-POLY-SLEEVES--25Pack/dp/B0... Put your cover and DVDs in these things and you can cut your DVD shelf space by 75%, also you and your friends will know its your DVD because of the cool flexy case.

Safari Library Subscription - get on-line any time access to thousands of O'Reilly books and manuals - http://www.safaribooksonline.com/

[staunch]

High quality 24-27" IPS monitor, mechanical keyboard, mousepad, earbuds, chair.

1. Dell Ultrasharp

2. http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=special&filte...

3. SteelSeries QcK

4. Logitech G500

5. Etymotic ER4

6. Herman Miller Aeron

[colmvp]

Amazing, someone who actually replied with a list.

[nazdak]

etymotic ER4 are a bit expensive for earplugs that are not molded to your ear canal.

[hislaziness]

Recommend an experience - Vacation, Sporting Activities over buying something.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/attachments/2557/howell...

[iterationx]

Expobar Lever Semi-Auto Espresso Machine

Boosted Board

Wool & Prince dress shirt that supposedly doesn't need to be washed

Vespa-like scooter

Yamaha Digital Piano

Brompton folding bike

Taga Bike that transforms into a stroller (if you have young children)

[sixQuarks]

Oculus Rift developer's kit ($300). Start messing around with it and develop a game before release. This thing is going to be huge.

[cm-t]

You have this for example:

* http://www.indiegogo.com/projects?filter_category=Technology...

* http://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/technology?re...

* ...

(Patience required)

[cowls]

Grammar police here.

The (all) is not needed, "what should I buy?" already covers the plural case. I have noticed this a lot in Indian English.

[murli]

That's truly funny. Have you also heard the Anglo-Indian use of "y'all all"? :)))

[stan_rogers]

Which grammar? Which dialect? English is not monolithic, and Lowth and Murray were wrong.

[bhoomit]

Noted. Will take care.

[yashg]

If you love taking pictures get a DSLR + Tripod.

[murli]

I'm guessing you're asking because you have a gadget allowance from a new job? If so, and assuming whatever you're buying needs to be at least slightly relevant to your job, looking around at what your co-workers bought may be useful. This doesn't mean you buy what your co-workers buy but at least you may get some ideas.

[bhoomit]

No, you can think of it as a reward for some part time work.

[vinchuco]

Donate to the EFF

[bgar]

What do you already have?

[bhoomit]

I only have a smartphone, and a point and shoot camera(I love taking pictures).

[akamaka]

Wait, if you can. Gadgets are nearly always much cheaper and better with each new generation.

If you must spend the money, though, I'd recommend a high end ergonomic chair or a treadmill desk.

[giffo]

Forget things. Invest it into your progress, your own projects. Purchase value, Whatever makes you more productive in the things you like doing.

[meerita]

Kindle, Nexus 4 and that's all I would need.

[bhoomit]

Already have Nexus, would probably buy iPad mini.

[usermac]

Get yourself a SanDisk SD Plus card. <strike>Best</strike> Handiest technology I've ever used. Ever.