Debunking
tech myths
If
you buy gadgets on the basis of popular perception instead of proper research,
you are likely to end up with ones that don’t suit your needs. Here are five
fallacies you should steer clear of.
Do you buy a
camera based on its megapixel count? Or believe that more Ghz translates into a
faster machine? If you answered both the questions in affirmative, you are
clearly not a technophile. For, even as the latter are clued in to the latest
technology and feature upgrades in various devices and gadgets, a layman
stumbles his way through the jargon, trying to separate fact from fiction. This
ignorance perpetuates various myths that are hard to dispel and leads you into
buying devices that are not suited to your requirements. Here’s our take on
five popular perceptions about technology that lead to wrong purchases. Keep
them in mind the next time you buy a gadget.
Myth 1: More megapixels mean better photographs.
This belief has been doing the rounds in imaging circles due to the megapixel race among cameras. For many people, the measure of a good camera is the number of megapixels in its sensor. If all other factors remain the same, more megapixels will generally result in better images, but the truth is that there is a large variation in components across cameras. Cameras have different lenses, setting options, zoom options, and other features that can overshadow the impact of megapixels. It is quite possible for a camera with a lower megapixel count to take better pictures than one with more pixels. In fact, it’s the size of the sensor that matters more than the number of pixels. This is why DSLRs, which have bigger sensors, take better quality pictures than point-and-shoot cameras, which usually have small sensors.
Our advice: Trust your eyes, not the megapixels. If a photograph looks good on a large screen (not on the camera’s display, which is too small), it works.
Myth 1: More megapixels mean better photographs.
This belief has been doing the rounds in imaging circles due to the megapixel race among cameras. For many people, the measure of a good camera is the number of megapixels in its sensor. If all other factors remain the same, more megapixels will generally result in better images, but the truth is that there is a large variation in components across cameras. Cameras have different lenses, setting options, zoom options, and other features that can overshadow the impact of megapixels. It is quite possible for a camera with a lower megapixel count to take better pictures than one with more pixels. In fact, it’s the size of the sensor that matters more than the number of pixels. This is why DSLRs, which have bigger sensors, take better quality pictures than point-and-shoot cameras, which usually have small sensors.
Our advice: Trust your eyes, not the megapixels. If a photograph looks good on a large screen (not on the camera’s display, which is too small), it works.
Myth 2: More cores and GHz mean
faster machines.
This is an old belief, which has gained a fresh lease of life, thanks to the powerful mobile devices. Once again, this is not entirely incorrect—all other factors being equal, a processor with more Gigahertz and more cores will result in a much faster device. The problem is that all other factors are seldom the same. A very powerful processor in a device with a relatively sluggish software might not actually make that much of a difference in terms of speed. On the other hand, a slower processor on paper might make another device zip along.
A classic example is netbooks, which booted up, shut down and browsed the Web much faster than laptops and desktops with more powerful specifications. Of course, the latter scored when it came to more detailed tasks, but for someone who just needed a fast device for browsing the Net and doing basic tasks like composing documents and mail, netbooks were faster than dual
core devices.
Our advice: It depends on what you need. If your task list does not include graphic-intensive tasks, you do not really need a processor running on steroids.
Myth 3: A bigger display means better pictures and video.
This perception has been seeping in courtesy the increasing display sizes across the tech spectrum, from telephones to computers and televisions. The fact, however, is that a bigger display does not always guarantee a better picture. The picture quality depends on various other factors, such as screen resolution, dots per inch (dpi), quality of the screen and the materials used in it. Many tablets come with bigger displays than the new iPad, but few can match it in terms of clarity and detail. Similarly, the Samsung Omnia W and the Nokia 710 have screens with similar sizes and resolutions, but the former looks more colourful and brighter because it is a Super AMOLED one. In fact, a large screen with a relatively low resolution display might even ruin your viewing experience.
Our advice: Size does not always matter.
Myth 4: DSLRs are for professional photographers.
They look bulky and cumbersome to operate compared with the slim, compact point-andshoot cameras. This has led to the propagation of yet another myth—DSLR cameras are only for professional photographers. The truth is that these cameras come with an auto mode, which makes them as easy to use as a point-and-shoot one. Those with a keen interest in photography will probably be able to do a lot more with a DSLR than a casual snapper, but there is no truth in the argument that the latter will not be able to handle a DSLR. These cameras have excellent lenses and sensors, and with a bit of common sense, anyone can click amazing photos with them.
Our advice: If you do not mind the bulk and are willing to learn the ropes, buy a DSLR.
Myth 5: Metal is better than plastic.
Perhaps this belief stems from the fact that metal is stronger and more resilient than plastic. This does not mean that a metal device will always be better than a plastic one. In fact, plastic can turn out to be just as solid and more portable since it is usually lighter than metal. As far as performance is concerned, we are yet to come across clear evidence that a device made of metal performs better than a plastic one because of the material used.
Our advice: Do not run down a device just because it is made of plastic since it can be tough and, in most cases, lighter than metal.
This is an old belief, which has gained a fresh lease of life, thanks to the powerful mobile devices. Once again, this is not entirely incorrect—all other factors being equal, a processor with more Gigahertz and more cores will result in a much faster device. The problem is that all other factors are seldom the same. A very powerful processor in a device with a relatively sluggish software might not actually make that much of a difference in terms of speed. On the other hand, a slower processor on paper might make another device zip along.
A classic example is netbooks, which booted up, shut down and browsed the Web much faster than laptops and desktops with more powerful specifications. Of course, the latter scored when it came to more detailed tasks, but for someone who just needed a fast device for browsing the Net and doing basic tasks like composing documents and mail, netbooks were faster than dual
core devices.
Our advice: It depends on what you need. If your task list does not include graphic-intensive tasks, you do not really need a processor running on steroids.
Myth 3: A bigger display means better pictures and video.
This perception has been seeping in courtesy the increasing display sizes across the tech spectrum, from telephones to computers and televisions. The fact, however, is that a bigger display does not always guarantee a better picture. The picture quality depends on various other factors, such as screen resolution, dots per inch (dpi), quality of the screen and the materials used in it. Many tablets come with bigger displays than the new iPad, but few can match it in terms of clarity and detail. Similarly, the Samsung Omnia W and the Nokia 710 have screens with similar sizes and resolutions, but the former looks more colourful and brighter because it is a Super AMOLED one. In fact, a large screen with a relatively low resolution display might even ruin your viewing experience.
Our advice: Size does not always matter.
Myth 4: DSLRs are for professional photographers.
They look bulky and cumbersome to operate compared with the slim, compact point-andshoot cameras. This has led to the propagation of yet another myth—DSLR cameras are only for professional photographers. The truth is that these cameras come with an auto mode, which makes them as easy to use as a point-and-shoot one. Those with a keen interest in photography will probably be able to do a lot more with a DSLR than a casual snapper, but there is no truth in the argument that the latter will not be able to handle a DSLR. These cameras have excellent lenses and sensors, and with a bit of common sense, anyone can click amazing photos with them.
Our advice: If you do not mind the bulk and are willing to learn the ropes, buy a DSLR.
Myth 5: Metal is better than plastic.
Perhaps this belief stems from the fact that metal is stronger and more resilient than plastic. This does not mean that a metal device will always be better than a plastic one. In fact, plastic can turn out to be just as solid and more portable since it is usually lighter than metal. As far as performance is concerned, we are yet to come across clear evidence that a device made of metal performs better than a plastic one because of the material used.
Our advice: Do not run down a device just because it is made of plastic since it can be tough and, in most cases, lighter than metal.
NIMISH
DUBEY ET120910
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