[shuttertalk]

New gadgets are being announced all the time - iPhone 5, Nikon D600 - for me it's been the new Kindle Paperwhite with the frontlit e-ink screen. It's hard not to get caught up in all the hype and I suppose that's what the manufacturers are banking on.

This article by Lifehacker is pretty simple but it does bring a timely reminder - really do a cost benefit analysis before you fork out your cash. In a nutshell - what does the new gadget do that my current setup can't? And is that feature/features worth the price of the upgrade? Are you just upgrading so you can say you've got the latest, shiniest thing?

http://lifehacker.com/5942915/how-to-get...n-new-tech

The point is to stop and really think about what you need. Just because hardware manufacturers are on a schedule for upgrades doesn't mean their upgrades are worth making. If your gear is still working for you, don't let a company tell you when it's time to upgrade.

[Don Schaeffer]

Being poor is a big advantage these days.

[matthew]

This is something I always have an easier time agreeing with when I already own the latest, shiniest thing.

[Pavel]

Anybody updating Lightroom/Photoshop? Rationale?

[slejhamer]

Anybody updating Lightroom/Photoshop? Rationale?

PS7 to CS6. Almost waited for the full cycle (7 to 7) but pulled the trigger when it was on sale a few weeks ago.

10-year old PS7 looks and feels much more dated than it is. CS6 is like a shiny race car.

Rationale: speed, better processing capabilities (like smart sharpening, etc.), speed, sale price, speed.