Low price, no performance?

‘Why is it that low-cost technology always ends up being junk?’ An old-timer spars with a tech fan.

AD: Hi, did you get that tablet you had ordered online?

BC: Yes, I did.

AD: What happened? You don't seem to be very happy with it...

BC: It turned out to be a disaster. It weighs a ton, runs out of charge in 10 minutes flat and gets heated up so badly that your fingertips get singed on touch. Also, each little operation takes ages, so downloading an app or a game is absolutely impossible...

AD: Why don't you return it?

BC: I tried - each time I called, I was asked to send a mail, but when I followed it up with another call, they claimed that they hadn't received a single mail...

AD: That’s pretty unfortunate…

BC: This is precisely the reason why I hate online purchases. You keep talking about how technology has made our lives so convenient, but look how it has left me high and dry...

AD: Listen, you probably decided to shop for it online because it was cheaper, so why...

BC: Hold on, are you telling me that if it's cheap, it has to be bad? So, does that mean that I need to buy a 64 GB iPad4 with retina display and wi-fi for 52,000 bucks and anything less will give me grief?

AD: Ok, be specific. What are you against - tablets, online shopping or the deals that the sites announce regularly?

BC: It doesn't matter, they all have one thing behind them - technology. Besides, I can understand a good product costing more than an average one, but it's weird to think that just because I've paid less, I’m stuck with a piece of junk that no amount of technology can make operational.

AD: But why blame technology? It could be a bad product to start with.

BC: How does it matter if it's one bad piece or if the entire batch is rubbish? It's not going to change things for me.

AD: Why make such a big issue out of such a small tablet?

BC: So what should the tablet have for me to make a big issue out of my predicament - a 60 inch screen?

AD: That's not what I meant... What I'm saying is that as with all products and brands, good quality doesn't come cheap. So why single technology out for criticism?

BC: You must have read about the razor and blade pricing strategy where they give away the razor for next to nothing and charge hefty amounts on the blade. Likewise, they’ve first allowed technology to invade every facet of our lives and now, they’re charging exorbitant amounts. Take healthcare, for instance. Expensive technology sends the cost of medical care skyrocketing...

AD: That’s probably because of the new equipment...

BC: Precisely - these hi-tech scans and laser treatments cost several thousands that make them unaffordable. Likewise, education has suddenly become a premium investment because some schools have opted for technology in the classrooms... Think of the kids that cannot afford such schooling.

AD: If a kid's smart, it shouldn't make a difference whether he's learning from a blackboard or a smartboard...

BC: What about your regular purchases? While a branded shirt or the best quality of rice cost a premium, there's an option available for the common man that's both affordable and usable - unlike the dumb tablet I purchased. Just because it's cheap, I'm supposed to accept it if it won’t work. All that it's given me is a whopping headache...

AD: I know of a tablet that can solve the problem - it's both cheap and effective, and it's made with the latest technology...

BC: That's a relief! Hope it's something that won't let me down.

AD: Actually, it's the kind that you need to down with a glass of water.

BC: How will that help me?

AD: Well, you bought a tablet that gave you a headache – this one will help you get rid of it.