Buying a Computer With confidence

You want to buy a computer, but don't know where to start? It is, honestly, an exquisite time to buy a computer, as prices are down and potential is up; but the choices are many and sometimes confusing. For your viewing pleasure, three uncomplicated steps that can take you from confused to confident!

Step One: Know what you want.

Ddr2 Ddr3

Deciding on the primary use for the computer is the best place to start. Most habitancy want the basics: internet association for e-mail and casual browsing, with some light office functionality thrown in. But now would be a good time to reconsider other things like photos and picture editing, music storage, and gaming. Each of these can add to the cost now, but it is commonly much economy to buy a stronger machine now than upgrade a weak machine later.

Step Two: Shop around.

This old stand by that Grandma all the time preaches is still the best way to get the exquisite computer. Even if you are stuck on a specific brand, there are a multitude of places to buy it from, and each will have their own version of both computer and price. Make a list of what specifications you can get for what price, and avoid talking to salesmen for now.

Step Three: Research.

Once you have a nice list with several choices on it, sit down with the internet and find out which one is in effect the best deal. Does that nice full law cost more than that tower-only plus this isolate monitor? Which one is in effect faster, anyway? This is also the time to check shipping charges. Go through the list of upgrades/downgrades available, and see if there is some way to bring the value up.

Here is a quick checklist of computer components to look at, and what to look for in each.

Operating System- Windows, Mac, or Linux.

Central Processing Unit (Cpu)- Intels and Amds come in 32 and 64 bit flavors, with 1 or more cores. Bigger numbers are usually, but not always, better. This is where the research in effect pays off.

Memory (Ram)- The more, the merrier! Some systems are limited to two sticks, while some can hold four. These come in Ddr, Ddr2, and Ddr3, with dual-channel flavors of each.

Hard Drive (Hdd)- Bigger is all the time better. These come in Ide (also called Eide or Ata), Sata, and Sata Ii.

Networking- Ethernet is a must, with ratings of 10, 10/100, and 10/100/1000 Mbps available. This is what most habitancy use to associate to the internet. Wireless is often available, with ratings of A, B, G, and N. If you plan to go wireless, you will need a router as well. Dial-up is still a good idea because it just might be a life saver.

Video- This is a tricky one, with many choices. All computers come with one, but an onboard card may not be strong enough for high end games. Collate the card with the law requirements on the back of that sweet game you want to play.

Sound and Speakers- There are farranging choices, but in general, most sound cards are more than enough for the two or three speaker law that is base for home computers. These are all rated by the amount of speakers it can drive: for example 7+1 is seven speakers plus a sub.

Monitors- The choices are mostly personal here. Lcd, Crt, big, small, wide screen, or standard; The only thing to keep an eye on is shipping, since some monitors can be highly heavy. 

Buying a Computer With confidence