How often do you buy an Apple product “just because?”

[andyw715]

If you count yearly upgrades of iPhone, then yeah.
But I typically don't buy electronic unless I'm going to use them. I thought of getting a Pencil when I got my 3rd gen iPad Pro but didn't have a need. Athough I did eventually get one, for my daughter, when I gave here the iPad so she could learn to draw in 2020.

 

[dasmb]

I recently bought AirPods Pro because they were discounted so deeply on Amazon. I wanted to see what the fuss was about.

And whatever the fuss is about it sure as hell isn't battery life.

 

[xraydoc]

I do buy a lot of Apple tech, and I do upgrade frequently, but it all gets used. I don’t have anything that’s just sitting unused, except perhaps the Apple Vision Pro (which gets some use, but not as frequently as I was anticipating — but then again I didn’t actually pay for it out of pocket; I got then through work as an experiment).

 

[skottichan]

Honestly, just twice. I had an M1 iMac that suited me very well, but I replaced it with the M2 Pro Mini on a whim. Don't regret it.

The other was the Apple Watch. I got it because of the "cool" aspect. Then used the fitness stuff seriously and it helped me lose the last 100lbs. Now I feel naked without it, and I like having the time and Siri available without having to pull out my phone.

I want to do it with the M4 iPad Pro, but my 4th gen is working perfectly, and I need to calm down on spending to save for our move from Ohio to Vermont.

 

[romanof]

I buy Apple stuff all the time on a whim. I use a iPad every day to consume podcasts, but I certainly didn't need an M4. My M2 Studio is used all day every day, but again, there was no reason to replace the M1 Studio, since my scripting programming does not need horsepower. I can slightly justify my change from the M1 Mini to the old Studio because I needed the ports, but I could have added a second monitor without it being a Studio Display next to a Pro XDR. The new Apple Pencil has never been used. My iPhone X was doing fine but the replacement 15 certainly handles my 3 calls and 20 texts a week really well. Oh. And I took about 15 pictures of my outdoor equipment for insurance reasons. Amazing how great a tractor looks with a 48mp camera. And so on.

Interestingly, I had a Watch 4,5 and 6, but for some reason I am still wearing a 7.

In a slight defense, I do give away my slightly older stuff to good causes. Thus far, I have never landfilled any Apple product. Or, actually, any electronic equipment that I could find a home for.

Why? Mainly because I can do it. Dumb, but I have nothing else to buy that interests me.

 

[avheatherim]

Probably when I moved from a 13PM > 15PM and AW6 > AW9. Same day.

I used to buy other items when they would give decent improvements, but much less now. It's a shame, too... because I've made upgrades to my financial situation recently where I would love to splurge on a reward. There's nothing I need. I even wish my 16GB M1 Air would give me a reason to upgrade. Nope... going strong. My iPad mini 6 collects dust.

 

[xxFoxtail]

I used to for a while especially when I was living in my apartment, I had a lot of disposable income. I always had the latest iPhone and Apple Watch. I had the time and money to experiment with different iPads and laptops for a while
At some point, I decided to just stop needlessly spending money.

My partner and I are in our mid-30s, we’re expecting our first child this year. Some of our paychecks are going to the mortgage, car payments and cutting down on whatever other debt. Some is going into a HYSA, retirement accounts and stock investments. And the rest is for groceries and other necessities.

Though, we can still fit in fun if we want to, but buying new iPhones or tablets every year or so is certainly out of the question now. We’re both happy with our current set of devices. Though I did splurge on a new watch band a few months ago.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Never.

Actually, I have never bought an Apple product "just because".

However, I have bought Apple products when I needed them, - when I needed a new computer, or other device - and, occasionally, when in funds, I have bought Apple products when I wanted them.

And, I will admit that I have also bought Apple devices - such as the iPod classic - when I learned that Apple planned to discontinue making them - even though - at the time - I had no need for one.

 

[edubfromktown]

Never just because; occasionally to get newer hardware specs (which I derive my income from).

Bought an i5 10th gen 13" MBP just after release in 2020 (my only new Mac purchase ever in 2+ decades).

Work got me a Studio Base Max in April 2022 (for development stuff).

Earlier this month, sniped a used M3 Pro MBP 14" 18GB/1TB and sold the 2020 13" for $625.00.