How to choose your computer?

 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.

 Al Alkin, Ph.D.

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