I've shown my retina iPad and MacBook to a few people who don't get the fuss at all...Myself, I think the screens are amazing
Over a decade ago, I bought one of those Sharper Image ion air purifiers. I told all my friends how great it was - totally silent but really cleaned the air and left it with a fresh scent.
About a year later I started reading scientific assessments and reviews of it. It in fact did nothing to clean the air and the "fresh clean scent" it put out was potentially harmful ozone.
It was then I realized that I was as able to fall for marketing hype as much as anyone else. That made me much more wary.
I know what you mean, that it's easy to fool yourself and fall into marketing traps. But in this case of monitor resolution, there is a very noticeable difference (to me at least) between current desktop monitors and retina ones. If in 5 years some company tries to push the trend even further with 8K extreme retina or something like that I'm sure I'll be on your side, but for now, please, bring on the 4K desktop displays!
(Actually, when it comes to TVs I do think we're getting into overkill territory with 50" 4K displays, when for typical TV viewing distances 1080p is fine)
With regards to TV, one of the big effects of HD was that TVs got larger, but viewing distance remained constant. With 4k, at standard TV-viewing distances, it doesn't really make much difference below 100 inches or so. On the other hand, I want one on my desk.
The air purifiers were misleading. Better resolution is not. That said, applications/OS should be able to use the resolution. UI elements should become crisper not smaller.
Over a decade ago, I bought one of those Sharper Image ion air purifiers. I told all my friends how great it was - totally silent but really cleaned the air and left it with a fresh scent.
About a year later I started reading scientific assessments and reviews of it. It in fact did nothing to clean the air and the "fresh clean scent" it put out was potentially harmful ozone.
It was then I realized that I was as able to fall for marketing hype as much as anyone else. That made me much more wary.