Do equipment questions belong on this site?

Question

I've noticed a few equipment purchasing questions on this site. Do questions related to choosing equipment belong here?

Jari Keinänen · Accepted Answer · 2011-01-05 19:14:24Z

5

I'd say they are on-topic if they're used in on-topic context; and same should go also for software recommendations.

answered Jan 5, 2011 at 19:14

Jari Keinänen

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I would also add that the author has to get really, really specific about the problem they are trying to solve. Questions ask simply "What tablet should I buy" should be closed as not a real question. They are too vague to answer reasonably.
– Robert Cartaino
Jan 5, 2011 at 21:24

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Pekka · Accepted Answer · 2011-01-05 23:30:58Z

I'd say:

Software recommendations are fine, both free and commercial
Instead of hardware purchase recommendations, we should generally strive to provide generic guides to identifying a suitable device for the OP's needs. What attributes to look for; what price range to prepare for; what kind of place sells them at what kind of price; and so on. Purchase guidelines don't age as quickly as shopping recommendations do, and it's still possible to point out some actual devices in the text.

Exceptions should be

hardware recommendations based on own personal experience ("I've been using the X-B10 for three years now and ....") which in my opinion have inherent value if written by a honest and competent person
specialized tools for which there is no big market of choices.

2 Answers 2