How to Buy a Computer

Whether you need a computer for your home-based business, to keep in touch with family and friends or just to surf the Internet, the PC has quickly become one of the most important devices in our homes. Whether you’re a first time buyer or upgrading an existing system, there are a few things you need to consider before pulling out your plastic.

First and most importantly, figure out your requirements. If you’re replacing an older computer, you’ll need to decide what you can keep and what should be repurchased. For example, maybe your PC is slow or unable to handle new software, but your monitor works just fine. It’s not always necessary to start from scratch, so tally up what you would like to upgrade and what you’d be satisfied with keeping.
Next, think about how you want to use your PC. If you’re primarily going to be using your computer for drafting emails and conducting your online banking, you can probably make do with a fairly basic system. However, if you’re planning on playing visually intense games, you’ll need plenty of memory, a high-performance graphics card and a fast processor. By the same token, if you want to use your PC to play movies, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a DVD player and a quality sound solution.

Here are a few more things to consider before making a purchase.

Laptops

If you like to do your computing from the couch or take your work with you, a laptop might be the right choice. Laptops are typically more expensive than desktop computers, but keep in mind that you’re getting a monitor, keyboard, mouse and PC in a single, portable package. If you’re considering a laptop, make sure that you think about battery life. Using a laptop on a cross-Canada flight is fine as long as your battery doesn’t conk out somewhere over Saskatchewan. Another important factor when choosing a laptop is weight. Laptops are meant to be easily transportable, but they can range from under two pounds to more than ten. If you’re planning on carrying it in a messenger bag, a briefcase or a backpack you’ll want to ensure that it’s not going to be a strain on your shoulder. Note that in most cases, the lighter the laptop, the higher the price tag. There are other options around laptops worth noting. You might want to consider a Tablet PC, which actually enables you to write on the screen using a special stylus, or a laptop that comes equipped with security features including a fingerprint scanner in case you ever happen to lose it. Finally, choose a laptop that complements your style—these days they come in more than basic black.

Desktops

If you’re looking for a computer that the whole family will use, you might want to think about purchasing a desktop PC. A traditional looking computer, a desktop PC is best if you’re not planning to move it around very much. One advantage to consider about desktop PCs is the fact that generally they are sold at a lower price point than laptops. Secondly, they can be more powerful than their laptop counterparts because components don’t need to stay small and light as they do in a computer that is meant to be carried around. Finally, most desktop PCs can be easily upgraded without replacing the whole machine because they are built to accommodate a variety of components and be easily customized.

Displays

If you’ve decided upon a desktop PC, you’ll need a monitor—or display— to go along with it. In general, you have three options to consider. The first is the standard CRT monitor, which is a tube-based, traditional looking unit. They’re big and they’re heavy, but they have great picture quality and are typically value-priced. The second choice is the LCD. LCDs are generally higher priced than CRT monitors, especially if you want top-notch performance, but these flat panel displays are chic, lightweight and take up very little room on your desk. Another option to consider—especially if you’re running a Windows Media Center operating system—is a plasma or LCD television that can interface with your computer. This is obviously the most expensive route, but you’ll be able to watch movies and television with a high quality picture, and at the same time have the ability to compute from your easy chair.

Peripherals

The spectrum of choice in PC peripherals is broader than ever, ranging from the basic - keyboards and mice - to the exotic - fingerprint scanners and network music players.

Keyboards and mice

Basic keyboards and mice are both reliable and inexpensive, however, there are many options if you’d like to upgrade. For mobility, you could consider a wireless keyboard and mouse, or if you spend a lot of time in front of your monitor you might want to think about an ergonomically designed keyboard. As with many peripherals, keyboards and mice come in a variety of styles and colours, so choose something that you like to look at and that feels good to use.

Speaker Systems and microphones

If you decide to go for something beyond the built-in speakers that came with your PC, you need to consider how high-tech your sound needs to be. Believe it or not, you can choose everything from an average pair of speakers to 2.1, 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound systems. Keep in mind that you must have a sound card that can support these higher-end audio configurations. If you’re thinking about picking up a microphone for your PC, you might want to mull over the purchase of a Webcam that comes with an integrated microphone.

Printers

From workhorse single tone laser jet printers to professional digital photolabs, when it comes to printers, the options are virtually limitless. Before you invest in a printer, it’s important to decide what you’re primarily going to use it for. If you’re planning to print mostly text documents, a laser jet or an all-in-one printer/fax machine/scanner might do the trick. If you’re expecting to print a lot of photographs, you need to determine whether you’re satisfied with printing small pictures or if you’d like to print large ones too.

The bottom line when it comes to purchasing a computer is to do your homework. Figure out what your requirements are and take advantage of side-by-side comparison tools like those on eBay.

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