Issue 5: Buy Now or Wait? Will Tariffs Make Our Must-Have Tech Too Expensive?
The short answer is "maybe." Here's what the world's smartest people advise, and how I'm using that info to make big decisions right now too. Plus, Earth Day Gadgets and a face-to-face chat with me!
Happy Friday from the back of my tractor. (Did you know my other vehicle is a Kubota?) Okay, now that you’re here, let’s leave my crazy-farm life (follow me on IG to know more about that…) behind for a second and get down to “what everyone’s talking about.” Tariffs, panic-buying, and gadget-hoarding. (Oh My!)
You know what the most surprising thing Americans are panic-buying right now? Cat food, wedding gowns, and hair. Yes, hair. According to people who know way more about this stuff than I do, apparently, a whole lot of those flowing locks and extensions used for “sew-ins, tape-ins, k-tips, and wigs” come from Chinese vendors.”
There’s also been a run on iPhones in the great American Tariff Turmoil of 2025, and for good reason. As WSJ’s Joanna Stern wrote in her recent breakdown of this (chaos/turmoil/tariffnadoe — what’s even the right noun here?!) “The dream of the Trump tariffs is to bring high-tech manufacturing to the U.S. The reality could be a bajillion-dollar iPhone.”
What now?
Is it time to panic-buy a $1,000 smartphone before prices skyrocket and supply goes the way of the great toilet paper shortage of 2020? No. But, it’s true that we all need to brace for sticker shock later this year.
As of today, the U.S. has imposed tariffs up to 145% on Chinese imports, with China retaliating by raising tariffs on American goods to 125%.
These tariffs are already impacting smartphone and laptop prices. For instance, a Lenovo Legion 5i originally priced at $1,399 could rise to $2,155 under a 54% tariff. Acer announced a 10% price increase on its laptops to offset the tariffs. eBikes, TV’s, cars, smart home gear, gaming consoles, and just about everything else with a “Made in China” sticker on it.
Yale Budget Lab reports that proposed tariffs could result in price hikes of up to 15–20% on consumer electronics, straining American households already facing economic pressure. Yet for those seeking connection—whether it's a student preparing for their first semester, a parent working remotely, or a senior accessing telehealth. — Human-I-T, offers pre-tariff priced tech for low-income and people in need.
BUY NOW IF…
If you need to replace a broken gadget.
If your device is six years old or older, you rely on it for work, and if you can afford a new one, those are good reasons to buy now versus waiting it out.
You’ve been saving for a special gift. With graduation around the corner, grab that new laptop, eBike, or gaming console now versus waiting for prices to come down.
REFURBISH AND FIX
Now’s a great time to consider buying refurbished tech from places like Back Market, where you can find student discounts and take advantage of trade-ins. Amazon’s another good go-to for reliable refurbished options. Back Market says U.S. sales are up 68% this week compared to the same week in 2024.
iFixit is the way to go if you have even the slightest DIY inkling. This site is filled with tutorials and toolkits to help you fix up your own gadgets like the boss-babe you truly are.
How I’m taking my own advice
My current MacBook Pro is six years old, on-device storage is full — even with constant clean-up — and the battery’s dead within the hour if I don’t keep it plugged in. For someone like me who lives on their laptop, totes it around the globe, and beats the living pixels out of it — six years is a good run.
Why six years? With proper care, a good laptop can last anywhere from five to seven years, and sometimes even longer. There’s no universal "best" time to upgrade a laptop. But — for me a five to six-year cycle offers a balance between cost-effectiveness, performance, and the potential for software and security issues:
Performance: Laptops, like most technology, can slow down over time. A six-year-old laptop might struggle with newer software or demanding tasks that were manageable when it was new.
Software Compatibility: New operating systems and software are often not fully compatible with older hardware. While some old systems can be made to work, they may not be fully supported or optimized.
Security: Older operating systems and software may be at higher risk of security vulnerabilities. Manufacturers often stop providing security updates for older hardware, leaving it vulnerable to threats.
Battery Life: Laptops' batteries degrade over time, and a six-year-old battery might be significantly weaker than when new, impacting portability and convenience.
Technological Advancements: New laptops typically feature faster processors, better graphics cards, and more efficient storage solutions, offering a noticeable performance boost.
Cost of Repairs vs. Replacement:
After a certain age, the cost of repairing a laptop might be higher than buying a new one.
Higher-quality laptops with durable materials and robust construction tend to last longer. Frequent use and demanding tasks can accelerate wear and tear, reducing the lifespan.
CNN, CNET, and Wired recently posted deals on the must-have tech to grab now before prices go up. I’ve also asked several of the big tech makers to keep me posted about any special deals coming our way right now. We’ll keep you updated at Techish.com.
Gadgets Gone Green
I talked about tech this week that can help you save time, money, and do a little good for the planet along the way. My takeaway? Sometimes the smallest thing — like switching from laundry detergent that comes in a giant plastic jug to a tiny strip that dissolves in your washer can make a huge difference. Check out the video below. This is how much plastic waste ONE PERSON creates per year. That’s me, you, your kids, your neighbors, and every stranger in between. CRAZY.
Read the whole story here (and find special discounts just for you for subscribing) — and come back for my review on the latest eBikes, a water pitcher that turns air into water before your very eyes, and more!
SO MUCH MORE!
A few other things on my mind…
I was at KNBC in Los Angeles earlier this week to share some fun “stuff you didn’t know your smartphone can do.” If you haven’t tried it yet — check out this little life hack I use every single day:
Can’t find your iPhone? Say “Hey Siri, Where Are You.”
This is a fast little trick I use every single day to find my phone when I inevitably misplace it. “He” — I have my Siri voice turned to “Australian Man” because who doesn’t love an outback accent?! — responded, “I’m over here,” from the clutter on my desk. (At least it’s not IN my hand already as I look everywhere for it.) Genius.
Siri doesn’t always “hear” me until I raise my voice and call out a handful of times. Sometimes, Siri’s voice assistant answers me from more than one Apple gadget at the same time. Whatever, it’s not perfect.
Still, this one simple trick is quite the game-changing time-saver. (As long as you have Google Assistant on your Android device, it also works there!)
Coming Up on the Today Show
I’m back at the Today Show on May 9th. I owe all my suggestions for gadgets to feature by April 13th.
The topic for this one is “Surprising/awesome gadgets that connect via WiFi.” We’re looking for things around the $100 (or less) range that are new, really fun/funny/awesome, solve a common problem, and haven’t been featured on the show before. The example the producer sent is something like the iKettle. Think CONSUMER TECH. Pitch me via email at jj@techish.com — with TODAY SHOW WIFI in the subject line.
Be sure to include a link to the gadget, price, and photo in the body of the email, along with one or two sentences of why it’s so great. Spare the marketing jargon. Just the facts!
Also, you have to send me one to go hands-on with before the segment, and you’ll have to send a few to the Today Show if it’s picked.
***I will contact you if you or your gadget is chosen.*** It never hurts to follow up once or twice, but after that, well, it’s a bit stalker-y.
My next segment after that is June 10th. The focus for that one is “summer adventure tech, including apps.” I’m looking for outdoorsy and fun, great to show off on live TV! Send me all of your ideas by the end of May or sooner for that one!
TALK WITH ME LIVE!
I’m committing to more time with you. From now on, at least once a week, I’ll jump on Substack Live to tell you what I’m working on or thinking about and answer your questions. You know what that means? We need to connect!
Be sure to leave a comment here on Substack Chat, email me, text me, or leave a comment @JennJolly on Instagram. (PLEASE follow me there too!) I try to jump back and forth to Facebook too, but I’m maxed out on friends on my personal account — so be sure to reach out on my “official” account.
We have some incredible content coming up around smartphone addiction, burnout, and how to fix it right now — stay tuned — Techish is coming in hot! 🔥
Mr. Trump's tariffs have roiled the economy, but they have also been a boon for BYDFi. That prompted money to seek new exits and flow into cryptocurrencies, leading to a significant increase in BYDFi's funding. At the same time, the stricter regulation promotes the platform to improve the compliance system, enhance its reputation, attract more high-quality users and promote long-term development.
Thanks, Jennifer! Really helpful advice, especially in such a chaotic time for buying consumer tech. Appreciate the clear tips and insights.