Best Tech Purchases of All Time: Top Picks
The single best tech purchase of all time is the Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) because it redefined what a laptop can be: silent, cool, all-day battery life, and performance that still beats many new Windows ultrabooks years later. It hit the sweet spot of price, portability, and longevity, making it the one device that genuinely pays for itself in daily use. No other product has so consistently delivered on its promise for so many different types of users.
What to Look For
Before you spend money on any gadget, filter it through these five criteria. They matter more than any spec sheet or marketing claim.
- Longevity: Will this still be useful in 3–5 years? Look for upgradeable storage/RAM (or at least generous base configs), software support windows, and a track record of reliability.
- Ecosystem fit: Does it work with what you already own? A great device that fights your phone or OS is a daily annoyance.
- Resale value: High-demand brands (Apple, ThinkPad, certain GPUs) hold value, which lowers the real cost of ownership.
- Daily utility: How many hours a week will you actually use it? A $1,000 monitor you stare at 40 hours a week is a better buy than a $300 drone you fly twice a year.
- Repairability: Can you replace the battery or SSD in 3 years, or is the device sealed shut? iFixit scores and standard parts (M.2, SO-DIMM) matter.
Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Strengths: Fanless design means dead silence; 15–18 hours of real-world battery; M1 chip delivers desktop-class performance for video editing, coding, and 4K playback; macOS updates still rolling out; aluminum build that survives years in a backpack. Used units now sell for $500–700, making it an absurd value.
Trade-offs: Only two USB-C ports (you’ll want a hub); 8GB base RAM is tight for heavy multitasking; screen is 60Hz and not OLED; no touchscreen. The 2022 redesign is prettier but costs more and has the same chip.
Who it suits: Students, writers, programmers, and anyone who wants a laptop that “just works� for 5+ years without maintenance. Not for gamers or people who need Windows-only software.
Logitech MX Master 3S Mouse
Strengths: The scroll wheel is a marvel—free-spinning for long documents, notched for precise lines. The thumb wheel for horizontal scrolling, silent clicks, and the ability to pair with three devices (Windows, Mac, iPad) via Bluetooth or the USB dongle. Battery lasts 70 days per charge. The ergonomic shape prevents the hand fatigue you get from flat mice.
Trade-offs: Heavy (141g) for gaming; no RGB; the software (Logi Options+) is occasionally buggy on macOS; it’s $100 new, though sales drop it to $70.
Who it suits: Office workers, spreadsheet jockeys, video editors, and anyone who spends 8+ hours a day at a desk. Skip it if you’re a competitive FPS gamer—get a lightweight wired mouse instead.
Dell UltraSharp U2720Q 27″ 4K Monitor
Strengths: A 27-inch 4K IPS panel with 95% DCI-P3 color coverage, USB-C that delivers 90W to a laptop (one cable for power, video, and data), and factory-calibrated accuracy. It’s the reference monitor for photo editing and code without breaking the bank. The stand is height-adjustable and rotates to portrait.
Trade-offs: 60Hz refresh rate (not for gaming); no HDR to speak of; the bezels are not as thin as newer models. Newer versions (U2723QE) add a webcam but cost more.
Who it suits: Anyone who uses a laptop as a desktop—connect one cable and get a huge, sharp workspace. Ideal for photo/video editors, financial analysts, and programmers. Gamers should look at 144Hz panels instead.
Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K)
Strengths: 24,000mAh capacity with 140W total output—enough to charge a MacBook Pro at full speed, a phone, and an iPad simultaneously. It has a smart digital display showing remaining capacity and per-port wattage. The build quality and safety circuits are top-tier, and it’s airline-approved (under 100Wh).
Trade-offs: It’s heavy (1.5 lbs) and bulky; the price hovers around $150; you need a 140W charger to refill it quickly (not included).
Who it suits: Travelers, remote workers, photographers, and anyone who’s been stranded with a dead laptop. If you only carry a phone, a smaller 10K model is cheaper and lighter.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones
Strengths: Industry-leading active noise cancellation that makes airplane cabins and open offices disappear. The sound is warm and detailed, with excellent call quality. Battery life is 30 hours with ANC on, and they fold flat for travel. Multipoint Bluetooth lets you connect to a laptop and phone simultaneously.
Trade-offs: The touch controls on the earcup can be finicky; they’re not waterproof; the XM5 model has better ANC but costs $100 more and doesn’t fold. Micro-USB on older XM3s is a dealbreaker—XM4 uses USB-C.
Who it suits: Commuters, frequent flyers, and open-office workers who need silence. Audiophiles will prefer wired open-back cans, but for everyday wireless, these are the benchmark.
Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB)
Strengths: A full Linux computer for $80 that sips 5W of power. You can run a home server, ad blocker, retro game emulator, smart home hub, or a learning sandbox. The GPIO pins let you control physical electronics. The community support is unmatched, and it holds resale value.
Trade-offs: You need to supply a microSD card, power supply, and case (adds $40). It’s not a desktop replacement—web browsing is sluggish. The 8GB model is the sweet spot; the 4GB is fine for basic tasks.
Who it suits: Tinkerers, students learning to code, homelab enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a cheap always-on server. Not for non-technical users who just want a media box—get an Apple TV instead.
How to Choose
Budget first: Set a hard cap. The MacBook Air M1 used is the best sub-$700 laptop; if you have $200, buy a Raspberry Pi 5 kit and a decent monitor. Never stretch for a “future-proof� GPU or phone—you’ll replace it in 3 years anyway.
Use case: List your top three daily tasks. If you’re writing and browsing, the MacBook Air and MX Master 3S cover 90% of your needs. If you’re editing 4K video, the MacBook Air still works, but you’ll want 16GB RAM. If you’re gaming, skip the Mac and monitor—build a desktop with a 144Hz panel.
Common trade-offs: Portability vs. power (laptop vs. desktop), battery vs. weight (power bank), noise vs. performance (fanless vs. gaming laptop), and price vs. longevity (cheap Android phone vs. iPhone). The best buys are usually last year’s flagship, not this year’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the M1 MacBook Air still worth it in 2025?
Yes, if you find one with 16GB RAM under $700. It outperforms many $1,000 Windows laptops in single-core tasks and has better battery life. The M2/M3 models are faster but not 2x faster for daily use.
Should I buy the MX Master 3S or the regular MX Master 3?
The 3S has silent clicks and a higher-DPI sensor (8K vs 4K). For office work, the difference is negligible—buy whichever is cheaper. The 3S is better for editing 4K+ video on large monitors.
Can I use the Dell U2720Q with a PC and a Mac?
Yes, it has DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C. The USB-C port delivers 90W power, so it works with MacBooks and Windows laptops that support USB-C charging. You can switch inputs via the OSD menu.
How long does the Anker 737 charge a MacBook Pro?
It charges a 16-inch MacBook Pro (100Wh battery) from 0 to about 80% once, or a 13-inch model (58Wh) about 1.5 times. The 140W output matches the MacBook’s fast charging.
Are the Sony XM4s good for calls?
Yes, they have a decent microphone array with wind reduction. They’re not as good as a dedicated headset like the Jabra Evolve2, but for Zoom or Teams in a quiet room, they’re fine.
What can I do with a Raspberry Pi 5 that I can’t with an old PC?
It uses 5W instead of 50W, has GPIO for electronics projects, and is silent. You can run Pi-hole, a VPN server, or a retro arcade. An old PC is more powerful but costs more electricity and space.
Bottom Line
If you buy only one thing from this list, get the MacBook Air M1—it’s the best balance of price, performance, and longevity. Pair it with the MX Master 3S and a Dell U2720Q for a desk setup that beats any $3,000 prebuilt. For travel, the Anker 737 and Sony XM4s are the ultimate companions. The Raspberry Pi is the best $80 you’ll spend if you like to tinker. Every one of these has proven its worth over years, not months—that’s what makes them “best of all time.�
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