buying a computer what to look for what to avoid where to buy

Buying a Computer

What to look for

What to avoid

Where to buy

First Steps

What do you want to do with it? What are your needs? What is your budget? What are your wants?

SPEED

How fast of a computer do you really need? Look at what CPU it is, how many MHz,

and what cache it has Do you need video acceleration? Recommendations

CAPACITY

How much RAM? How much Hard Drive? How expandable? Recommendations

RELIABILITY

What is the warranty? What is their reputation? What quality are the components? Do they offer technical support? Is it free? On-site service? Is support local?

All-In-One Computers

Monitor and CPU all one box Examples: iMac, eMac, Gateway Astro How expandable is it? If the monitor dies, expensive repair Saves a lot of space Fewer wires hanging out

Slim Desktops (half-height)

Don’t take up as much space on desk May have fewer expansion slots More components integrated on the board

Full size desktops

Lots of room for expansion Sets monitor up high Bulky

Mini-Towers and Towers

Saves desktop space if you can put the computer on the floor or inside desk

Most expandable Largest cases

Laptops

Of course, they are portable Are very expensive for the same power Adding drives, memory, etc. can be

expensive.

Integrated vs. Non-integrated

The more integrated components, the less expandable.

The more integrated components, the more proprietary.

The more integrated components, the higher the service costs.

MONITORS

17” is standard for mid-line systems, 15” for budget systems

Your eyes will appreciate the larger monitor if you have the space for it.

Get a dot pitch of .28 or less (the lower the better)

Look at the monitor for yourself before you buy.

Keyboards

Size of keys How many keys Programmable? Integrated track pad / track ball The magical “Windows” key Ergonomics

Mice

Can have more buttons Can have specialized buttons Differences in quality and control USB vs. PS/2 vs. Serial Optical mice

PRINTERS (Chap. 6 PC Bible)

Ink Jets-– Very cheap to buy– Support Color printing– Ink is very expensive

Lasers-– Expensive to buy, very much so for color– Toner is cheaper in the long run than ink– Last much longer than ink jets

DRIVES

CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW DVD-ROM, DVD+R, DVD-R Floppy? Zip? SuperDrive? Tape Backup?

SCANNERS

You get what you pay for, to some extent. Budget $100-$190 Get 1200dpi SCSI vs. USB vs. Parallel

MODEM

56K v.90 is industry standard Ask your Internet provider which works

best with their service 3Com, Supra, and ZOOM recommended Modems are at the end of their usable life

NETWORK CAPABILITY

Do you need Ethernet? 10/100 base-T Ethernet 3Com, Apple cards recommended

USED COMPUTERS

Not recommended for first-timers Very risky

– Fraud– Repairs– Overpricing

Be sure to check prices on the Internet

REFURBISHED COMPUTERS

Some have had good experience, I have not Check warranty Check price Remember it’s still a used computer!

Where to Buy?

Mail Order Catalog Factory Direct (Internet & phone) Computer Store Department/Discount Store Educator Buys Internet used & refurbished