How to Choose a Computer

By Owen Jones

It is a great deal easier to buy your next computer than it is to buy your first one, because those who've purchased and operated a computer in the past already have an idea of what they require in a new computer, but those who are new to the computer world can easily become confused in the multitude of choices to be had.

The brief answer to "What should I buy?" is "the best". Of course that response is very personal because "the best" to one person is not going to be the best to another. Our description of "the best" is the fastest and with the biggest memory, but even that can leave the computer newbie perplexed. Here's a quick rundown of what the computer novice should do and why.

1. Purchase a computer that includes all the fundamental components. Every computer arrangement can be broken down into four major components: CPU unit, screen, keyboard, and mouse. For the novice, it's best to buy a computer that has all of these peripherals incorporated so that when it's taken home, assembling the computer is a uncomplicated affair of plugging the bits in where they belong. Save the individual purchase of these peripherals to those who have more understanding.

2. Decide what you'll use the computer for. If you want to use your computer for surfing the web, sending email, or doing simple word-processing or spreadsheet tasks, a computer with the basic components that we just described plus a printer should be adequate. If you want to use a computer to help with a career in multimedia however, you're going to need to increase your system with possibly a scanner, digital camera, tablet, or digicam as well for example. If you want a computer to help with a career in music, you might want a good microphone and array of speakers.

3. Create a budget and adhere to it. How much can you afford to splurge on a new computer? Even though the cost of computers is declining, they can still be quite a large expense particularly if you want supplementary components as described previously. In addition, you'll have to figure in expenses for Internet access, maintenance, servicing, and insurance.

4. Commence comparison shopping and search for the quickest and largest. By quickest and biggest, we imply the computer with the fastest processor, the fastest modem, the largest memory, and the biggest hard drive capacity. Even if you think that you'll never need the amount of speed or space available on the market today, it's essential to have in the event that you really do require that much in the future. Having such a hefty reserve will cut down on expenditure when the time comes to upgrade.

5. Stick with the better-known makes. Going off the trodden path with lesser-known brands is again an adventure for those who have more experience with computers. Although those better-known makes may be a tad more expensive, the computer learner will be thankful for the comfort of buying a computer from a business that has a lengthy history of building quality products, and that has the finances available for satisfying returns, trades, servicing, and warranties.

6. Choose a quality store. Once you have an idea of what you want in a computer and what type of computer that you want, the only thing left to do is to select the place where you want to buy it. There are many places, which embrace computer shops, online shops, auction sites and operated computer stores. For the computer novice, we recommend purchasing a computer from a real store. In a physical store, you have the opportunity to see the computer of interest itself and ask questions. New computer buyers will also have a store warranty, returns, trades, and services.

These recommendations should give the computer newcomer a helpful foundation in selecting a quality computer for the first time and these suggestions apply to either Windows computers or Apple Macintosh computers. After making these decisions and eventually picking one that suits your requirements, you can then venture into the fascinating world of software - a world that is equally as impressive as the world of hardware!

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