Buying A Computer 101
Jul 07 '00
When buying a computer beware. There are so many scams out there that want to take you to the cleaners. When purchasing a computer just ask a lot of questions and pay attention. If you know what to ask then there will be no scam. You must have a general knowledge of computers and computer lingo in order to not have the salesman try to sell you something you don’t want or need. Here are some of the questions to keep in mind when buying a computer:
1. Can this computer be upgraded? **very important**
2. How much RAM does it have?
3. How big is the hard drive?
4. What kind of processor does it have?
5. Is there any pre-loaded software on it?
6. Do I get a back-up disk in case anything happens?
7. Is there a warranty?
8. Are there any technical support lines that I can call? If so,
how much does that cost?
These are just some of the questions that are good to know. I would do research on the Web or in computer magazines before even considering a purchase of a computer. I did major research before I bought my last computer. I’ve bought computers from well-known computer stores (i.e. Best buy, Circuit City) and have been taken to the cleaners. However, just recently I purchased a computer at a PC fair and received a great computer at a low price. There is a lot to consider when buying a computer, especially at the prices today. The price will depend on what you want out of a computer. You could get one as little as $400. But there are also ones that cost over $3,000. It just all depends on what you want.
There is a major difference between buying a computer from a well-known manufacturer and buying a clone. Buying a well-known one will run you into problems in the future. Take it from me I know. The problem is that the motherboard (this is the board that controls everything) is integrated. This means that if you buy a Compaq or Packard Bell, you will have limited choices when it comes to upgrading. You will get stuck with an out-of-date machine that you cannot get rid of. It is the same for all other manufacturers. On the other hand if you buy a clone, one you will pay less for it, you will have the freedom of upgrading to whatever you choose. The only thing that limits you is the motherboard. Some motherboards are set up for a specific type of processor. But all you have to do is do research to find out what processors can fit onto the board you buy.
The other things that you have to watch out for is RAM, the MHz (speed) of the processor, hard drive space, and other components within your computer. RAM is a critical part of your computer. The more the better, but this can always be upgraded to what you want. The megahertz (MHz) of the processor is the speed at which it processes information. The higher the speed the faster the computer. The only catch is that the higher you go the more you will pay. Hard drive space is also very important. You also need to know the speed of the hard drive. And again, the faster the better the performance. Most computers come with at least 10Gigs of space in today’s market. This is sufficient for most computer users. Other components range from sounds cards to modems. Most computers come with everything you need to get started. But there is always going to be something better out there for computer peripherals.
I love my computer, because I can upgrade. I think that this is one of the most important aspects to consider when buying a computer. You must also consider the price. Compaq, HP, Packard Bell and all of the other manufactures will have a pretty hefty price tag on their machines. Where as a clone can be as much as 50% less. And always remember no matter how up to date the computer is when you buy it, as soon as you take it out of the box there is something better out there, which is why being able to upgrade is so very important.
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