Final answer:
Collectors in McLaughlin's categorization of Technophiles are described as individuals who accumulate tech gadgets for ownership, reflecting the broader social status technology can symbolize.
Step-by-step explanation:
In McLaughlin's delineation of four categories of Technophiles, 'Collectors' are best described as people who amass various technological gadgets for the sake of possession. Collectors in the technophile spectrum are individuals fascinated by technology but primarily focus on the acquisition and collection of technological devices rather than their practical application or the development of new technologies. This behavior reflects a broader cultural phenomenon where technology serves as a social indicator of status and wealth, with certain gadgets symbolizing a cutting-edge lifestyle in the digital age.