There is simply no point in buying these 4 electronic devices anymore

The last few decades have seen rapid technological innovation, and while that’s exciting, it also means that most electronic devices only remain useful for a few years. Smartphones, for example, have effectively replaced standalone GPS units, portable music players, and digital cameras while introducing additional features with each release. However, even these will eventually need to be replaced, as most telephone equipment only remains competitive for five years.

Tech companies often like to keep what they’re working on secret until the optimal time for a press release. So, even if you are familiar with the industry, it is not always possible to know if you are about to purchase something that will soon become obsolete. That said, a little research can go a long way in helping you make more informed purchases and ensure that you’re not wasting money on electronics that are already outdated, of poor value, or on the way out. With that in mind, here are four types of electronic devices that are no longer worth your money.

The early 2000s saw consumers move from standard USB connectors to mini USB, then micro USB. Most devices these days use USB-C, which has several advantages, including eliminating the infamous “which way does this fit” problem. Unfortunately, not all USB-C cables are equal. You may have noticed that some cables charge your phone faster than others, or maybe you only have one cable that works with your portable monitor.

When you buy an unbranded phone charger cable, it’s often difficult to know what you’re getting. It may offer high speeds, but it’s more likely a cheap USB 2.0 cable that may not even support fast charging or data transfer. Be wary of ads that use words like “ultra-fast” without providing details; Claims that are not specifically supported by cable power standards should be viewed with suspicion.

Instead, invest in a few long USB 4.0 cables from a trusted brand like Anker or Belkin. These support speeds of up to 40Gbps and can even power external displays without breaking a sweat. If your budget allows, consider opting for a braided cable as well, as they are more durable and less prone to tangling.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to store a lot of data, you might be tempted to get a hard drive. It’s understandable: You can get terabytes of storage for a few hundred dollars, and less if you’re willing to buy a used one.

These old-fashioned hard drives are mechanical devices that work by physically moving and magnetizing an internal component called a read/write head. This is a problem because any sealed unit with moving parts will eventually fail, and the older the drive, the sooner this will happen. In trying to save money, you risk inadvertently locking important files on a dying device, with simply trying to recover them accelerating disk degradation.

A better option would be to acquire a new SSD (Solid State Drive). These are fully electronic, with no moving parts, and have an expected lifespan of 10 years (depending on the intensity of your use). There are also NVMe drives, similar but smaller, faster and a little more expensive. Buying used storage guarantees that you will regret it later.

As the cost of living continues to rise, who hasn’t been tempted by generic alternatives to expensive products? However, buying an off-brand Roomba or Ring Doorbell could end up costing more than you expected. Buying from a reputable brand offers security and peace of mind. You know its products are made with quality components that are resistant to unauthorized access and likely to be supported for at least a few years.

There is no guarantee that someone selling a cheaper version of another company’s product is following the same standards. They may rely on outdated or vulnerable technology that can be exploited by attackers or simply collect as much information about you as possible to sell to advertisers. If made from inferior parts (especially batteries), these clones could even pose a safety risk. This is particularly concerning if the device operates autonomously (robot vacuums, for example), because you may not be home if something goes wrong. Of course, it’s also possible that everything is perfectly safe and works as expected, but that’s what can make buying generic electronics so risky.

Generally speaking, most laptops, netbooks, Chromebooks, and tablets that were first released more than five years ago aren’t worth buying unless you’re looking for replacement parts. That’s about the expected lifespan of these devices, and while newer hardware may cost more, you can be sure that it will be able to handle modern applications. Older devices, on the other hand, may struggle to handle even the most basic tasks. If you’re extremely unlucky, you might end up with 32-bit hardware that can’t even install a modern browser, let alone do anything useful.

There are a few caveats to this advice. First, buying specific computer components used is a great way to save money. CPU prices often drop significantly when new models are released, for example, and it’s entirely possible to build a high-powered PC using only used parts. Second, desktop computers tend to fare slightly better over time because individual components can be upgraded, so even a relatively old tower is a reasonable starting point for someone hoping to build a powerful PC on a budget. Remember that power supplies should always be purchased new, as aging units can be temperamental and may damage your other parts on the way out.