Apple Watch isn’t About ‘Need’, it’s About ‘Want’
That said, one of the more common themes one tends to see in Apple Watch reviews is whether or not one truly “needs” the device. This has always struck me as odd because it seemingly holds the Apple Watch to a higher standard than almost every other luxury item on the planet.
The thing is, luxury items, by definition, aren’t needed at all. They are coveted. They are desired. Their purpose is to entice. Luxury items lure people in and convince them to spend a lot of money even when cheaper alternatives abound. Need isn’t part of the equation.
I totally agree with pretty much everything Heisler says in this piece. Luxury items like the Apple Watch are not needs whatsoever. Just like a nice bag, shoes, suit, or car, it’s a product you buy out of desire. This obviously doesn’t make sense to the tech press because their approach to almost all products with chips and screens is to ask “do you need this?”
It’s fair to ask, but unfortunately it’s the wrong question and it’s what gets me somewhat frustrated with today’s current landscape of journalists. Why? Because there are plenty of things we don’t need that we buy everyday. A $3 cup of coffee isn’t a need. You can make a good cup at home for $0.50. A $10 – $15 dollar lunch isn’t a need. Again, you can bring yours from home for less than half the cost. Things like this are all things we like, but do not need. In fact, spending $2 – $3 on a cup of coffee everyday is more expensive then the cost of owning many versions of the Apple Watch if you own it for at least 6 months.
Also, it’s important to remember that the neither the iPod, iPhone nor the iPad were needs from the start. Heck, two out of the three aren’t needs today. And that’s telling.
Just because something is great, it doesn’t mean you need it.