INTRODUCTION
Purchasing a home or business computer can be a big and sometimes
costly decision. Below is a listing of helpful suggestions
for what to look for and ask when purchasing a home or business
computer new or used.
NEW vs. USED
Before purchasing a computer consider if you should purchase
a new or used computer. Many individuals sell computer before
they are out of date allow you to purchase a relatively decent
computer. Before purchasing a new computer from a computer
manufacture look at what is available and review the below
precautions when purchasing a computer.
• Ensure that the computer has no physical damage by
inspecting the ports as well as the inside and the outside
of the case.
• Ensure what you are getting what you pay for. This
is explained in more detail later on this page.
• If the individual selling the computer indicates that
the computer comes with a manufacture warranty that has not
been completely utilized. For example the computer has a standard
3 year warranty and the user is selling it after 1 year. Ensure
the warranty is transferable by the computer manufacturer.
Many manufacturers will not transfer the computer warranty.
If you are selling a computer ensure that the computers hard
disk drive is erased to help prevent users from looking at
potential personal data.
MAC vs. PC
This is always going to be a heavily discussed and debated
topic, the Apple Macintosh vs. Standard PC Clone. Both options
have good and bad reasoning behind them and it used to be
a very important choice. However because of advancements in
both the Mac and the PC both are a good option overall. We
feel that this option is best left to the individual purchasing
the computer.
If you find yourself working with a PC/Mac computer at work
and/or home or family members have a PC/Mac and you need the
capability of transferring files or programs from your PC/Mac
to a new computer consider purchasing a PC/Mac as it will
be something that will be more familiar. It is important to
note that the Macintosh can run Windows as a clone and therefore
most programs and data that can be used on a PC can also be
opened in a Macintosh. In addition the PC computers have the
capability of opening Macintosh files.
WHAT TO
LOOK FOR
When purchasing a computer it is likely that you will have
a general idea of what you may like in the computer or how
you would like to configure the computer. Below is a listing
of the various components likely to be found in a computer
and recommendations and tips when considering any of the following
components.
| Device |
Short recommendation |
| Case |
While the case may not be important to some
computer users it is a consideration to be thought about
before purchasing a desktop computer.
1. What type of case should be purchased or is needed?
Do you want a desktop or tower case?
2. Does the case support the standards of motherboards,
i.e. ATX motherboard standard?
3. Will the case fit on top of or below your desk?
4. Will the drives be accessible or will they be positioned
the way you wish them to be positioned? |
| CD Media |
The type of CD drive in the computer is
becoming an important consideration when purchasing a
computer. When looking to buy a new or used computer inspect
the type of drive included.
1. Is it a standard drive? If so what speed?
2. Or is it a DVD / CD-R / CD-RW drive?
3. If the drive is a DVD is it hardware or software decoding?
4. If the drive is a CD-R / CD-RW drive does it include
software? |
| Hard Drive |
Hard drives have and always will be an
important consideration to think about when purchasing
a new computer or used computer. The hard drive will be
the destination of all your files and information and
if that drive is to become full that drive will need to
be replaced or another drive will need to be added to
the computer. When looking at the space of the hard drive,
always gets the maximum size hard drive considering you
will eventually always run out of space. |
| Memory |
Memory is and has always been an important
consideration when looking at purchasing a computer determines
the amount of memory included in the computer as well
as verifies if that memory can be upgraded in the future.
The more memory the computer the more efficient the computer
will run. |
| Modem |
The modem is becoming not as important as
it has been in the past with the upcoming spread of broad
band. When looking to purchase a computer a modem should
not be an important consideration unless broad band is
not available in your area. Today all new and most used
computers are equipped with at least a 56k modem which
should be the only speed looked at with the demand of
bandwidth with internet use. |
| Network Card |
With the increase with more then one computer
in the house and with broad band solutions sometimes requiring
a network card a network card is becoming an important
consideration when purchasing a computer. Network cards
allow users to connect to other computers and have small
networks in their home or office. This allows for data
transfer, file sharing, internet connection sharing, printer
sharing and various other helpful uses. |
| Processor |
The computer processor is and will always be an important
consideration when purchasing a computer. Today with multiple
CPU/Processor manufacturers it may be more confusing as
well as more cost efficient to look at the different processor
manufactures as well as the type of computer processors.
|
| Sound Card |
Sound cards are important when looking at
purchasing a computer however the majority of all computer
users will find that most standard sound cards will suite
their needs. However some users may enjoy purchasing more
advanced sounds cards which will increase the amount of
speakers that can be used and in some games and programs
the sound quality and capabilities. |
| Video Card |
Video cards are becoming an extremely important
factor when purchasing a computer. While this may surprise
some a video card can make or break a computer when it
comes to playing games on the computer. Most games today
require additional video memory as well as special video
modes such as OpenGL. With a video card with little video
memory or without these modes the computer will be unable
to play these games. In addition the advances in video
cards can dramatically increase the user enjoyment of
the game being played. |
BRAND OF COMPUTER
When looking at purchasing different types of computers you
will likely hear different stories, some good and some bad.
Regardless if the story is good or bad these stories are always
based off of the experience of that user. While it may be
true that the user had a bad or terrible experience with that
computer, all computer manufactures have had users who have
had a bad experience and there is no such thing as a bad or
perfect computer manufacturer. Below is a listing of various
things to consider when purchasing a computer and in some
cases how to tell the good from the bad.
| Add-ons |
Some computer manufactures may try to sell
additional add-ons when purchasing a computer. Unless
you have done your research on the additional add-on do
not consider the add-on. While in some cases it may be
beneficial to get a printer, scanner or maybe a camera
with a computer you may be paying premium for the additional
add-on or in the case of the printer may have to pay premium
on the ink in the future. Do you research, ensure that
if you get an additional hardware / add-ons that the hardware
will suite your needs and that it does not end up being
something that is not going to be used.
Free add-ons? Some computer companies may entice you into
purchasing a computer by giving you free add-ons. These
add-ons may be advertised as free however ensure or ask
if the add-on price is not just being added to the overall
computer price.
Add-ons that should not be of concern are hardware peripherals
such as a mouse or keyboard. These are almost always included
with a computer package and are really of no additional
const to the user. |
| Documentation |
While most manufactures today are reducing
the amount of documentation included with their computer
an excellent question especially if the computer is being
purchased by a new computer user is "what type of
documentation is included with the computer?"
All computer manufactures will include some type of paper
documentation or paper inserts, however does this information
include documentation about upgrading the computer in
the future? How to connect the cables to the computer?
Documentation on how to use the software such as the additional
included software?
Note: It is important to distinguish between paper documentation
and on-line documentation. On-line documentation which
is being found more today is information that is either
locally on the computer or can be accessed via the internet.
If the information is available over the Internet see
how that information looks and if it suites your needs
before purchasing the computer. |
| Hardware |
Hardware is sometimes overlooked when purchasing
a computer, especially at a local computer retail store
as the hardware is not always visible which causes it
to not be inspected or reviewed before purchasing the
computer.
As mentioned above ensure you are getting the hardware
that you believe you will need. If you are a game player
is the computer hardware going to be capable of playing
the games you would like to play? |
| Internet discount |
A new method of selling a computer to decrease
the overall cost of the computer. While this method sounds
good for many users this may be a misfortune in the future.
The general idea: If you purchase a computer and sign
up for an Internet service for x amount of days / months
or years you will only have to pay x amount for the computer.
Reasons why for most users this is not a good idea:
1. Generally if you work out the monthly fee of the Internet
service for the x amount of time that is required to sign
up to the Internet provider it will work out to be more
then the original price of the computer.
2. These services are generally always modem services.
If you want to upgrade to broadband you may either not
be able to without voiding the contract or have to pay
the additional sometimes premium price of broadband through
that provider.
3. If the contract becomes void you may have to pay the
additional money of the computer as well as the time spent
with the internet service provider.
4. Many services will require that you pay the full amount
of the computer and then once the contract is fulfilled
with the Internet Service provider then a refund will
be sent from the computer manufacture (or may not). |
| Location |
We use location as a description to describe
several different topics. First, what is the location
of where the computer is purchased: If the computer is
purchased at a local retail store can the computer be
returned if unsatisfactory to that store? If the computer
is purchased through mail order or directly through the
computer manufacturer or reseller where can the computer
be returned if unsatisfactory?
Second, can the store location of where the computer was
purchased service the computer? If not where is the closest
location to where the computer can be serviced?
Third, if the computer is purchased directly from the
computer manufacturer and is shipped through mail, how
is it shipped? What is the time period for the computer
to arrive to your destination? What happens if the computer
is damaged during shipping? |
| Refurbished |
Refurbished is a term used to describe a computer or a
hardware device or component in a computer that has been
used however looked at and determined to be in working
order. However because the product has been used or purchased
it cannot be sold as new.
Refurbished computers will have a lower price and are
generally a good deal for users who may not have a lot
of money to spend on a new computer. It is important however
to compare the price of the refurbished computer to a
new computer as well as to review all of the tips on this
page as all the same rules, tricks and tips still apply. |
| Return |
Verify with the computer manufacturer if
it is possible to return or have a money refund for the
computer. Many computer manufacturers will not refund
your money but instead may offer an exchange for another
computer. Verify with the manufacturer of the computer
or the reseller what their return / refund / exchange
policy is. |
| Service |
Service is an important consideration to
look at when looking to purchase a computer, new or used.
The service is how many companies describe the repair
of a computer if it or a component within it is to become
broken. Below is a listing of what type of service to
look for:
1. What type of service is offered? Is the service onsite,
meaning a technician will come to your location to replace
or fix a bad component. If the service is onsite is it
for the complete time of the warranty?
2. If onsite is not offered what is and for how long?
3. Can the computer be taken to a local service center?
If yes, what is the closes authorized service center?
4. What is the time frame the service takes to occur?
For example if the computer has a bad component what is
the time it will take for a technician to come onsite
and replace that component or what is the time it will
take to have the computer sent in to be fixed? Finally,
if that time frame is not accomplished what the company
is willing to do, for example provide you with a loaned
computer. |
| Software |
Software for many computer users’
especially new users is thought to be an important consideration
when purchasing a new computer. Granted there is software
which we highly recommend looking for when purchasing
a computer such as word processor or spread sheet program
however some computer companies may over hype the software
package. Below is a listing of what to look for when looking
at the software included with a computer.
1. Does the software include Microsoft Office or Corel
Suite? These packages allow you to have a word processor
and/or a spread sheet. For the majority of all users this
should be an important consideration.
2. Are the software full versions of the software or are
the software demo programs or shareware programs? |
| Support |
Things to consider when looking at the support
options of a computer are:
1. Is support open 24 hour 7 days a week? If not what
are the hours?
2. Is support open on holidays? If not what days are it
closed?
3. What support options are available? Phone? E-mail?
Web? Chat? |
| Upgrade ability |
While this option may not be considered
at first when purchasing a computer it is an important
consideration. Below is a listing of different options
to look for when looking to upgrade a computer.
1. What can be upgraded in the computer? RAM? CPU? Hard
Drive? Video Card? If available to upgrade what are the
maximum amounts or is it specified within documentation
provided with the computer?
2. Does the computer have on-board hardware such as an
on-board video card? If yes, can these be disabled with
a jumper or through CMOS. This is a very important as
many computer will disable the device when a new device
is added. However this does not always work and may cause
future issues. Ensure it can be disabled and that it is
not a device that auto-disables.
3. Is the case a standard case? Some computer manufactures
have proprietary cases causing difficulty when trying
to add new hardware. Most commonly this occurs with the
video card.
4. What motherboard form factors is the case? The most
common motherboard form factor today is ATX, does the
case support this factor so the motherboard could be swapped
in the future? |
| Warranty |
Finally, what warranty is offered by the computer manufacturer?
How long is the warranty? Does the warranty cover both
hardware and software issues?
Warranty can cause frustrations for most users we highly
recommend that a computer only be considered if it has
at least a one year warranty. Many cheap computers will
only come with a 90 day warranty. Meaning if a part goes
bad you will have to pay for the part as well as the service.
This may not be an issue for users who just need a cheap
computer and are willing to replace parts and service
the computer. |
SCAMS
Unfortunately like anything it is possible to be tricked or
for computer companies to scam you. Below is a listing of
what to look for when purchasing a computer.
• Get what you pay for - Ensure that
the product you are purchasing is what you are paying for.
It has been known that computer companies may list for example
a processor being at one speed however instead placing a different
speed into the computer. This unfortunately can be very easy
as any user can 'over clock' a processor making it appear
as one speed but in reality being a completely different speed.
For example you may buy a 733MHz processor but instead get
a 500MHz.
To determine the processor speed open the computer and look
at the processor itself. Do not look at the processor through
a software program or through BIOS as these values can be
changed or tricked.
• Legal software - When purchasing
a computer ensure it comes with legal software. Many end-users
or small computer companies who build or sell computers may
not provide you with legal copies of the software which is
illegal. Verify that the software that came with your computer
is on a standard CD and not a burnt CD. A burnt or home-made
CD will generally be a different looking CD and have a gold
or green bottom. Ensure that if the software requires a license
or registration number that it was included with the computer.
An example of software that includes these certificates is
Microsoft Office and Windows.
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