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Purchasing a New Computer (Updated March 2009)
When buying computers, keeping several guidelines in mind can help you get the most value for your investment. With apologies to Mac fans, this article mostly addresses aspects of purchasing PC-based computers.
Laptop or Desktop System
One of the first hardware questions is whether a desktop or a laptop system makes more sense. Laptops can be practical desktop PC replacements, especially if the system needs to be mobile and space is a consideration. If purchasing the computer for a college student, spending extra for a laptop can definitely provide the kind of portable functionally that will allow them to be more productive anywhere on campus. Laptops, however, can be more expensive to buy and aren’t usually equipped with the full-size keyboards and monitors that most users prefer. Unless you or the person you are buying the computer for really needs portability, a desktop PC will give you more value for the money. If you are thinking about purchasing a laptop, you may want to take a look at my Laptop Choices and Checklist document here: Laptop Options
Specifications and Hardware
Most of the big-name manufacturers build relatively decent PC’s. When choosing a computer brand, consider each manufacturer’s reputation for hardware reliability, research and development, and technical support. Resources like Consumer Reports can help narrow the search, but it is also good to get the advice of an independent computer support specialist. While brands like HP can be purchased locally from retailers, Dell’s must be ordered either on-line or by phone.
Purchasing as much of a system as you can initially afford often translates to delayed obsolescence on the other end. Computers are measured and compared in terms of their processing speed (in MHz.), processing power (RAM), and the amount of storage space they offer (hard drive). The question of which processor you should equip the computer with varies depending on many factors, including which operating system you are running and how you expect to use your computer. Multi-core processors are now the standard, and are considered critical for machines running Windows 7. 512 megabytes (MB) of RAM was fine for the average XP computer, but Windows 7 buyers will need a minimum of 2 gigabytes (GB). 80 GB hard drives are currently the minimum for most desktop computers, and doubling that to 160 GB also does not cost much more. Most PC users will find that an 80 GB hard drive is more than enough to handle their basic computing needs, but evolving into some new phase of computer use like digital photography can quickly change that equation.
Options
Removable storage presents a few choices. Floppy drives are now appropriately considered an extra cost option, as floppies hold little data and are notoriously fragile. A better portable file saving option these days are the USB flash drives, as they hold much more data, can be purchased cheaply anywhere electronics equipment is sold, and have no moving parts to break. CD-ROM drives have now given way to DVD-ROM drives and burners. The most deluxe package currently available is dual drives with the primary being a CD/DVD player and the secondary being a CD/DVD burner. This would allow you install and run any kind of software written, watch DVD’s on your PC, and record (burn) any kind of digital data to a CD or DVD.
LCD flat-panel monitors are very popular with new PC buyers these days because they take up a lot less space and tend to be easier on the eyes than the old clunky CRT monitors. Another nice option for digital photography buffs would be a built-in card reader, which allows for easier transfer of images from the camera to the computer. For laptops, built-in wireless networking should be also viewed as a necessity.
Operating Systems
Windows Windows 7 has taken a lot of flak for a variety of reasons, including requiring significantly more system resources than XP, forcing computer owners to learn a very different operating system, and a lack of compatibility with common peripheral devices or third-party software. And now it looks like XP will actually outlive Windows 7. The latest word I've heard is that Windows 7 will be replaced by Windows 7 some time in 2010. To read my FAQ article on Windows 7, click here: Windows 7 FAQ's. Currently, if you buy a new computer from any retail store, it will be equipped with Windows 7. It is still possible to buy new computers with XP, but you will not find them through regular retail outlets. XP machines need to be special-ordered through the small business portals of companies like Dell and HP.
Warranty
Most entry-level PC systems these days come with only a 90 day warranty. Paying a little extra for a longer warranty is probably a good idea, especially if the warranty support is from the computer’s manufacturer and not some other third party. Four years of warranty may not justify the expense, as the average life expectancy of most PC’s is between five and six years. Two or three years of at-home service may be the best compromise, depending on cost. If buying a laptop, paying extra for accidental damage coverage is a good idea because laptops get banged and dropped in the course of getting transported around.
Protecting Your Investment
Having invested in new hardware with a good warranty, you’d also want to also make sure your system has the best internet security. Robust and automatically-updating software packages are available from companies such as Norton, Trend Micro, among others. As with all other aspects of buying and setting up your new system, securing the services of a technical support specialist can help ensure your internet security is installed and configured correctly.