Choose your Computer.
Computers become cheaper and faster every year.
Do you want to find best deal? Choose balance between
high-quality components and price.
You can find other tips at www.knowhowdo.com.
To chose a computer:
1. Decide what is computer for. Do you use it for work, games,
Internet, media, personal finances?
2. Choose type of processor, RAM memory, and speed. It depends
on task. Read more computer magazines to understand what
parameters are important for you. Random Access Memory (RAM)
drives performance of your computer. The more is RAM, the more
programs run smoothly and simultaneously. For video editing or
hardcore gaming use 2-4GB RAM, for running several programs use
512MB-1GB, for 1-2 programs use 256MB
Processor depends on clock speed, architecture, cache, and front
side bus. You can find simple explanations on-line.
3. Read PC Magazine. They publish ratings of reliability usually
in July. For Mac computer read Mac related magazines.
4. Buy a brand with high reliability. Check customer
satisfaction tables.
5. Choose a company that offers a three-year parts-and-labor
warranty. Be aware that the warranty is limited anyway. Read
Fine Script!
6. Find out what parts are better. Understand that hard drives,
CD-ROM, sound cards, video cards, network cards must be
comparable to the processor. Otherwise imagine a small cheap car
with super powerful engine. It does not go fast. The wheels fall
off.
Processor is the brain of your computer. You also need legs to
run.
7. Buy the computer and monitor from the same company only if
the monitor seems good.
8. Monitors are dirt-cheap now. Flat panels become cheap. From
my personal experience it is 10 times easier to read from flat
panel. There is no glare and no blinking. You can read 8 hours
straight. Eyes are relaxed as if you read a book. It is still
not so comfortable to read from flat-screen monitor. You may
have big discount or even free deal on flat panel if you buy
from the same company. Decide what price you already to pay of
comfort.
9. You will need to buy also software. Check if it is included
and what type.
10. Remember if computer is sold cheap and looks reliable, some
other features maybe excluded. For example lack of DVD writer or
CD writer decreases price. Decide if you really need it. You can
always buy it later as external device, though it will be full
price then. Sacrificing software or Limited Warranty, Services
and Support Options reduces the price of computer.
11. Unless you are really rich it does not worth to buy very
expensive computers. They will be much cheaper next year.
Compare it with buying an expensive car. It looses value very
fast.
12. Some companies have special business models. For example,
Dell sells computer on-line mostly. Besides, you practically
build the computer yourself choosing the desired parts. This
model allows Dell to avoid big storage facilities. They sell
computers as they build. It allows the company to keep prices
down 10-15% compare with the same configurations from other
companies. Just go and check in store and then on-line. I did
and found it is really cheaper.
From the other hand you need to wait several days or a week
before your computer arrives. If you want to return computer,
you will need to go to post office.
If you buy a 1000-dollar computer, it saves you 100-150. Decide
if it worth it.
Japanese computers are more expensive, though some people prefer
them for reliability.
13. If you are real computer fun, you may build computer
yourself. It is not so difficult. You have hand to hold
screwdriver – you can do it. The parts are sold on-line. Just
type them in \”Search\”.
About the author:
Learn more about Choosing Computer Dr. Alkin collects succesful
tips at http://www.knowhowdo.com.