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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.
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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.