I've looked at the original question from a while back. But that is too early to give a definitive answer. I want to know when it's OK to ask about hardware recommendations if it's OK at all.
For instance is this on topic?
Also what questions should be avoided.
None. Hardware or more accurately shopping recommendations are off topic in all SE sites. Through there are ways where you can in a roundabout manner ask for HW recommendations as seen in the blogpost Q&A is Hard, Let’s Go Shopping!:
However, there is a way to ask these questions that avoids the inherent problems with shopping recommendations. For example, let’s say you wanted — as I did — to buy a point-and-shoot camera that takes good low light photos. So we’re going to ask on photo.stackexchange.com, naturally!
Here’s one way to ask:
Q: What’s the best low light point-and-shoot camera?
A: Canon S90 and Lumix LX3.
(note, this ask for the "best" so it can get closed as primally opinion based)
Here’s another way to ask:
Q: How do I tell which point-and-shoot cameras take good low light photos?
A: I strongly recommend looking for something with
- a fast lens (2.0 at least)
- reasonable ISO handling (at least 400, but preferably 800)
- the biggest sensor available The sum of these factors are really critical for low light situations.
The former question provides the path of least resistance: a laundry list of products I can buy without thinking about it too much. But that answer will only be valid for a year at best. The latter question may take some thinking, but its answer will be valid forever … or at least until camera technology somehow shifts beyond lenses and sensors as we know them today. Thus, when it comes to shopping questions, don’t ask us what you should buy — ask us what you need to learn to tell what you should buy.
So, how can you ask for hardware recommendation? Ask instead what characteristics you should look for when shopping as seen in the last example.
It's no longer true that "Hardware or more accurately shopping recommendations are off topic in all SE sites". For example I suggest reading this Meta post
