When we look at buying something new or simply reach the point where we have to update an older piece of technology, we can’t help but wonder – what if we could afford the best of the best? It’s difficult as consumers to consider what might be if we could have the top of the line, what could it do, and what might we manage to do with if we had it in our hands?
We see these questions all the time as writers, so we decided to answer the question directly – what can users expect from the top of the line in two key popular technologies, cars and computing, and is it really worth the price?
First Things First
Before we look at some of the best in class examples, we should note that just having the money does not necessarily mean that consumers will go for the most expensive equipment. Conspicuous consumption is not exactly in major vogue among many of us, after all, and research performed by Betway on what the general public would do with a sudden windfall of cash tends to paint a picture of necessities and experiences first, with luxury goods falling fall behind.
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In this case of winning a million in a lottery, 43% would place buying a house as a first choice, with 15% paying off a mortgage, followed by 13% going on a luxury holiday and 11% paying off debts. But what if there was no upper limit – what doors might then open?
Cars
While it is true that many of us would love expensive cars, there is the question of how much different the expensive models really are.
Back in the 1980s, it was very much true that the difference between cheap and expensive models of a car was often not especially pronounced. In some cases, like with Lexus, their cars could simply be Toyotas which were given new logos, more comfortable seats, and a better overall appearance. Despite this, they often maintained the same base systems underneath.
Today, this is quite different, with there being a greater emphasis on digital technology and a deliberate, though not total, separation between those brands targeted at budget versus luxury products. The Ford Fiesta, for example, starts on the lower end on the spectrum at £13,715, with 94,533 registered in 2017 alone. These excelled because they are cheap to purchase, run, and possess all the basics but little else. These are functional, and as cars are transported first, this makes sense.
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Compare that with some of the features of luxury car brands such as Bentley. With Bentley, consumers can opt in for an entertainment pack coming in at over £16,000. For more than the price of an entire entry-level Fiesta, drivers can get two in-headset displays, a drop-down screen, and 15Gb of extra storage for a start. Of course, some of this tech, such as navigation and brake control systems are actually useful, but these are also available in much cheaper packages.
Computers
An indispensable part of our lives, and one with a wide gulf between entry and luxury technology. Cheap computers and laptops could be considered work machines, good for little more than business or school, though the usefulness even in these areas should not be understated.
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For an entry level, we have something like an ASUS VivoBook Flip 14. With an Intel Core m3 processor, 4Gb of RAM, and a 64GB HDD, these are suitable for word processing just fine and can come in at just over £200. Compare this with a top of the line system from dedicated gaming enthusiast producers Alienware. Their 17 model comes in at nearly £3,000 with an Intel Core i9 processor, 16Gb of RAM, and 1.5 TB of space, and you can see where all the money starts to go.
Worth The Price?
Attaching a hard value to any good or piece of property is not a simple task. While monetary valuation gives an indication, this hardly tells the full story when it comes to personal satisfaction and fulfillment. This is especially the case when we factor in just how much money will mean to those without it, versus just how little it can mean to those with millions to spare.
We also have to keep in mind diminishing returns when it comes to top-of-the-line technology, which adds another confounding layer to these calculations.
For a definite answer, then, whether or not top of the line is worth it depends on your interests and your means. It might not be the definitive answer you are looking for, but then complicated parts of life rarely come with easy answers.
If you are interested in even more technology-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels then we have a lot to choose from.
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