Before walking into your first retail store, decide what you mainly want to use the computer for. Don't try and think of everything you want to do with it, just 3 main obejectives is fine. Heres and exmaple:
- I want to get connected on the internet and communicate with my family and friends
- I want to be able to store digital photos on my computer
- I want my kids to be able to their homework now that they use computers in school
Ok, three very valid and useful things to do on a computer. But how do I choose the computer that is right for me ?
IN my experience with helping someone buy a computer, as far as they are concerned, they do not particularly care whats inside the computer, so long as it can do WHATS described to them, the computer can do the things you want it to. It like buying a car for someone, your not going to help Grandma buy a V8 petrol guzzler for a new car, when a small compact 4 cylinder is more compatible.
Three main concerns dictate purchasing a computer
- Price
- Features (Both internal hardware and pre-installed software)
- Where to buy
Price
How much should you pay ? There are two important considerations here, both how much to pay AND how you pay.
About $500 will buy you the bare minimum computer available, although you may think cheap is good, be very careful as you may find that you may pay more over the next 12 months as you find apart form getting connected to the internet, that when you start adding digital cameras, printers, more software, the price now over a very short period of time in some cases IS MORE than what you will have paid, had you bought a "package deal"
About $3000, this is the bees knees, this computer will handle anything you throw at it apart from brewing you a morning coffee and collecting the newspaper. This price range is usually where the '20 somethings' purchase a computer to play the latest and greatest games, burn movies, watch TV, and store massive amounts of information, and usually one does not have to consider upgrading to new shiny toys for 3 - 4 years. This price point is too high out of budget for most households.
Around the $1500 mark is about the sweet spot for most families. Depending on where you buy this gives you a very decent purchase and usually with some extras (like a bundled digital camera or Multi-function printer from the larger Retail stores)
Now I also mentioned, 'how to pay' earlier. Yes, also another item when buying a computer which is often overlooked. Consider these options when making a purchase
Cash - Instant purchase, you get to take home your purchase straight away, yet you have spent the amount usually from hard - earned savings. Some stores will also discount when purchasing with cash. You also have the benefit of owning the equipment outright.
My rating 5 out of 5
Charge - Payement via Credit Card or Loan facility, your you get to take home your purchase straight away and will make minimum monthly payments to 'pay off' your purchase. As this is an item that is technically owned by you, but you are making payments over a period of time with interest that after x number of years, will be more than the original purchase price.
My rating 2 out of 5
Finance - Payment through in-store finance, and they charge anything from 8% to 25% plus monthly fees, plus a setup account fee, this is similar to paying via credit card, and is made avilaible inside a retail store through a third party finance company. Each monthly payment is also for a fixed amount over a fixed period of time. You will most often see these advertised with the larger retail stores who also offer the carrot of an interest free period. Your classic, buy now, pay later offer.
My rating 1 out of 5
Rent / Lease - Usually offered to business' and sometimes individual if its appropriate for your situation. The benefit can be an opportunity to exchange to new equipment after a set lease period (usually 3 years) and some tax benefits (to business', not individuals)
My rating 3 out of 5
Features
What features do you want, especially if you don't know what the heck comes with a computer in the first place ? The best way to know what features a computer has is to ask someone who knows a little about computers. Apart form that here is a short list of common features (and by no means complete)
Software based features -
- An Operating system, like Windows XP or Windows Vista, comes with some basic software functions and is the 'go between' for communicating your software and hardware in to a format usable by a computer user.
- An email program - to send and receive, text, pictures or short movies through software, an 'Electronic Mail centre"
- A Video player - for playing movies
- A Sound player - for playing sounds and music
- A Web Browser - an interface for 'viewing' pages over the internet that contain, text, sound, music, video or interactive features
- An Office Suite - software that allows you to write letters, create household budgets, create picture slide shows and with a raft of many more powerful features
- A basic Photo viewer and editor
- Other additional software can be purchased that allow for specific tasks or addtional features / functions
- A keyboard and mouse - interface devices that control almost everything you do with a computer
- A computer tower / desktop - the big box that has all the hardware 'bits'
- A CRT monitor or LCD screen for viewing the computer interface
- Speakers - for hearinfg sound / music
- Printer - for printing out on paper, text or images
- Scanner - for electronic storing permamnent copies of text, or pictures or a combination of
- Web camera - video conferencing with others over the internet face to face - in real time communication
- Other additional hardware can be purchased that allow for specific tasks or addtional features / functions
A common question is 'where do I buy' ? This will always come down to your specific preferences for shopping but here are some examples with the benefits and shortcomings
- The 'bricks and mortar' retail chains - Like Dick Smith or Harvey Norman (Stores located in Australia). The large retail chains offer all the payment options as I outlined earlier and are a convenient one stop-shop. Usually offer a 'package deal' buy a computer with screen, speakers, a multi-function printer, a digital camera and additional software and extended warranty for the one price for the entire package. Any of these items also may be purchased individually.
- A dedicated computer store - similar to retail chains but specifically dedicated to all things computer related, usually but not always focused on 'package deals'. Staff are usually for technical savvy and prices are generally more competitve
- Local papers, Classified ads in regianl or national papers, either computer resellers or an outlet for chains with excess stock, slightly better preices than retail but all transactions are usually catered over the phone or internet, no face to face.
- The internet such as sites like EBAY or Dell Direct, you may be dealing with someone who owns a retail store or an individual with places like EBAY so if you are unsure, have someone you trust to assist you with your purchase
- Word of mouth !!!! (Second hand goods) someone you know or a friend who knows someone may be selling second hand equipement and sometimes a gem can be found if you know what to look for.
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