ITS MONTHLY TALKIN' TECH

SHOPPING FOR TECHNOLOGY?

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Shopping for a Computer for Home? 

Planning to give a gift this holiday season?  Here are some tips and websites to help in your shopping and decision-making.  The average replacement cycle for a personal computer is now 4 years, so this information may be useful whether you are buying a computer for yourself or your children.

 

Need to Get Rid of your Old Computer or Technology Product?

Read this page before you throw a computer, printer or cell phone in the trash.  Learn how you can responsibly donate or recycle technology equipment.

  Suggestions before you buy  
 

Buying a Home Computer

Buying a home computer can be a bit like buying a car-it's a major purchase decision. There are many makes and models, and many people willing to give advice about what to buy and where to buy it. To make the most of your shopping experience, and sense of the variety of choices facing you, you'll want to do your homework before heading out. And, whether buying new or used, know what you want the computer to do for you and how much you can afford to spend.

 

 

Buy from a Reputable Dealer

Buying your computer from a reputable electronics dealer means you're more likely to get a better warranty and better service. The computers they carry have succeeded because of the high-quality of their machines and their service.

 

What to Consider Before Buying a Computer

How will you use the computer? Do you plan to write papers for a class using word processing software, keep track of your finances or business on a spreadsheet, send electronic mail (e-mail) to relatives across the country, surf the World Wide Web, or just play computer games? Knowing how you'll use your computer will help you determine what type of minimum requirements the computer needs to have.

 

Bigger Programs Require More Memory

Keep in mind that the size of the software you plan to run will dictate how much memory your computer should have. Consider how you will use your computer, then ask about the software you'll need. A sales associate should be able to tell you how many megabytes of memory you'll need based on your planned computer use. Typically, you'll need a minimum of 512 megabytes of memory to adequately run most programs. Most computer systems come with preloaded software. Be sure to check the inventory of what's on the computer, so you'll know what you're getting.

Keep in mind that the requirements of the software you plan to run will dictate how much memory your computer should have.

How Much Should You Spend?

With computers, it's a good rule of thumb to buy as much as you can afford. Depending on your needs, be prepared to spend between $500 for an entry-level computer to $2,000 and up for a higher-end computer. You don't have to buy the biggest, fastest or most powerful computer on the market, but you should buy the best system you can- that includes monitor, microprocessor, memory, hard drive, keyboard, printer, etc. You might want to hold off buying any software until you've had a chance to take a look at the software which should come with your new computer.

With computers, it's a good rule of thumb to buy as much as you can afford...

Laptop vs. Desktop Models

After you've made all the decisions about what you want in a computer, you also can choose what type of model you'd like: laptop or desktop. Laptop models are portable, and if you travel a lot and need to bring your computer along, this is the obvious choice. Desktops have larger screens (although you can use a larger screen with a laptop model) and are easily expandable. Laptops are generally regarded as companion computers to desktops, but they are sophisticated enough to be your primary computer. There are some laptops, called notebooks, that weigh less than five pounds.

 

Buying Local or Mail Order
You have two options when buying a computer: You can purchase your equipment locally or through mail order. They both have advantages. If you buy from a consumer electronics dealer in your area, you can often get free demonstrations, and you can return to ask questions and buy additional equipment. Mail order computers are generally less expensive. If you have questions, you can call the company's customer service number and speak with a technician on the telephone. If you need to return the computer for repairs, you may have to ship it back to the manufacturer (save the original box and packing materials). Investigate both local and mail-order sources and buy from the one you feel most comfortable with.
 

Warranty and Extended Service Plans
Look for a computer with a warranty that covers manufacturing defects and other problems. Make sure you understand exactly what is covered under the warranty. Most new computers are covered for a year, and some warranties include on-site maintenance.

Many retailers offer extended service agreements which, in essence, lengthen the warranty. Whether or not you purchase an extended service plan is up to you. Find out what is covered and weigh the price of the warranty against the price of potential repairs.

Protect Your Computer
Your computer is an expensive piece of equipment, so protect it from power surges with a surge protector. A surge protector will blow a fuse if it gets hit by a rush of electricity, thus protecting your computer. If you're using a modem, be sure to get a surge protector with a telephone jack included. Don't expect your surge protector to safeguard your computer against a direct lightning strike. The only sure protection against lightning strikes is to unplug your computer and modem during a thunderstorm.

Protect Your Data
The best way to safeguard the data on your computer (including software) is to back it up onto a CD-ROM or DVD. If your hard disk fails, at least it won't take all your software and information with it-as long as you've backed them up. Make periodic copies of the information on the hard disk. It's also important to protect your data from viruses. Anytime you use a disk to install a new program, copy files or download a file from the Internet, you are susceptible to a computer virus. It's a good idea to install a virus protection software program on your computer that will review each new file and check for viruses.   See the ITS Talkin' Tech page on Security and Viruses.
 

Taken from Life Advice about Buying a Computer from Federal Citizen Information Center site; click on this link to view entire article. 

 
 

Some Helpful Websites

 
 

Check out these consumer-friendly sites:

 

Not Sure which level of Computer to buy?

 

Want more information on how the individual parts affect the system?

 

Vista or Windows XP?

 

Wondering how some of the top brands compare?

 

CNet's Product Reviews

 

How to Choose a Notebook Computer

 

A Questionnaire to Help Determine the Right Computer

 

PCWorld's Top-Rated Products

 

 

Computers at Home: Q&A for Parents

 

 
 

Need to Get Rid of your Old PC or Peripherals?

 
 

Electronic discards includes computers, monitors, televisions, audio equipment, printers, and other home electronic devices. Consumer electronic products are characterized by rapidly evolving technology and a relatively short product life.

Advances in technology for all electronic equipment, particularly computers, soon renders them obsolete. The average lifespan of a computer is about 2-3 years. Items that break are often not repaired due to the relatively low price of replacement equipment. When the equipment breaks or becomes obsolete, it is sometimes discarded into the waste stream. However, given the sheer volume of obsolete electronics and the potentially hazardous materials they contain, consumers are strongly encouraged to seek environmentally safe recycling when their electronic equipment reaches the end of its useful life.



Why is it harmful to throw electronics in the trash?

Electronic equipment contains metals that, if not properly managed or contained, can become hazardous wastes.

  • Cadmium - The largest source of cadmium in municipal waste is rechargeable nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries.

  • Lead - Monitors and televisions contain a picture tube known as a cathode ray tube (CRT). The CRTs contain leaded glass, and are the largest source of lead in municipal waste.

  • Mercury - Some electronic equipment also contains recoverable quantities of mercury.

What can you do?
 

Reduce - Maintain and keep equipment as long as possible.

  • Evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes: Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool from the Green Electronics Council
  • A typical computer's lifespan is 2-3 years, but can be extended by 1-2 years with some regular maintenance and upgrading.
  • Buy a good monitor; it can last 6-7 years or more. Keep it for use with your next computer.
  • Use LCD monitors instead of older CRT monitors to save energy and waste when it’s time to upgrade.
  • Consider leasing a computer so you can trade it in at expiration of the lease.
  • Always use a surge protector power strip with all electronic equipment.

Reuse - Donate or ReCycle - A computer of recent vintage can often be refurbished and reused.

Discard - As a last resort, homeowners may discard electronic equipment with normal trash or in a bulky waste collection program.  Businesses must follow EPA regulations for electronics disposal.

Taken from PA Department of Environmental Protection website.  Remember these guidelines are designed for home users.  Businesses fall under stricter guidelines for computer disposal - see EPA Guidelines for eCycling.

 

 
 

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