When you’re all set and ready to get your new computer, there are a few things you should keep in mind: Always buy the best computer you can afford. You can pay a couple hundred dollars for something like a E-Machine or up to around $3,000 for the higher-end computer system such as a Dell, but the average computer is somewhere in between.
You can work from home two days a week but you need to connect to work. Whatever
the reason, you’ve decided that it is time to buy a computer. When you’re all set and ready to get your new computer, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Always buy the best computer you can afford. You can pay a couple hundred dollars for something like a Compaq or up to around $3,000 for the higher-end computer system such as a Dell, but the average computer is somewhere in between. If you skimp now you may quickly discover that it does not meet your needs and you will spend even more money upgrading it.
Make sure that you are buying your computer from a reputable seller. If something is wrong with any part of the computer you will need to return it, you need to be sure that will be possible. There are many stores that will give you a really good deal but will refuse to refund your money or exchange it by the time you need support. You can wait for the lower prices or special discounts or the next major advancement to happen to buy your computer. Now it is time to figure out what kind of computer you need. The first thing you need to know is how you are going to use your computer.
Is it going to be used for doing homework and playing games? Are you going to be using it as a home office? Are you going to be using it to listen to music? Does it need to be portable? Will you be doing graphic intensive work? Are you going to need a scanner? A printer? How will the use of the computer change over the next couple of years? Who will be using it?
Write down all the ways you intend to use the computer then use those things as your guide when you start looking at what’s available. If you’re going to a store, bring the list with you so that the salesperson can help you make the best decision. When it came time for me to get my new computer, we made a list of requirements. The first was that it came with free service/support, which meant getting it from a place like Dell. I knew that I was going to be using a lot of RAM-intensive programs for desktop publishing and web design and that I would frequently be running several programs at the same time so I bought a system with extra RAM. We made sure it had a CD burner in it so I wouldn’t have to worry about filling my hard drive up with unessential files.
Before you start shopping, make sure you do some research. Read the Consumer Reports found on the website: Consumer’s Report guide for computers or go to the library and visit sites like Zdnet or Cnet for the professional’s opinions then visit sites like Epinions or Review Centre.These, and many other sites like them, will help you find out just about
everything you wanted to know about the computers themselves as well as many of the places you can buy a computer. You want to find out who has the best service, customer support, best prices, and selection.
Talk to your friends, family and co-workers to find out what their experiences have been. When you’re pricing systems make sure that they come with everything you need to get started – the computer, keyboard, mouse, monitor and all the RAM you’ll need for the sound and graphics card. If you’re getting a printer, be sure you purchase a printer USB cable because it is generally not included.
Armed with this information you should be able to find a computer that will meet your needs.
According to Cnet, here is a list of some desktop PCs under $500:
The Acers M410 packs a powerful AMD processor and the AMD 690V chipset, $400.99
providing abundant potential for superior productivity. Up to 8 GB of DDR2 system
memory lets you quickly bounce among multiple windows for marvelous multitasking.
Enhanced with extra usability functions via Acer Empowering Technology, this desktop
is a low-cost, high-efficiency workstation that fits perfectly into a workplace or SOHO
setting. 1 x AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Dual Core 2GHzProcessor, 80GB HD, Software
Operating System is Windows Vista Business. The Veriton M410 packs a powerful AMD
processor and the AMD 690V chipset, providing abundant potential for superior productivity.
Up to 8 GB of DDR2 system memory lets you quickly bounce among multiple windows
for marvelous multitasking. Enhanced with extra usability functions via Acer Empowering
Technology, this desktop is a low-cost, high-efficiency workstation that fits perfectly into a
workplace or SOHO setting.
Dell OptiPlex 740 AMD ATHLON 64 X2 4000+ (2.10GHz, 512KBx2), 80GB HDD, $401
1GB RAM
Specs: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ (2.10 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 80 GB,
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition,SP2, x32, with Media, Athlon 64 X2
Dell Optiplex 330 Energy Smart Minitower Intel Pentium Dual Core Processor E2160 $402
(1.80GHz, 1M, 800MHz FS, 160GB HDD, 1GB RAM).
Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 (1.80 GHz), 1.0 GB DDR2 SDRAM,
160 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition,SP2, x32, with Media, Mini tower,
667 MHz, Pentium Dual Core, 3 years warranty, Personal computer.
Acer Aspire M1610-ED2180A – Pentium Dual Core E2180 2 GHz $404.20
Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2180 (2 GHz), 2 GB DDR II SDRAM, 320 GB Standard
, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Micro tower,
Pentium Dual Core, 1 year warranty, Personal computer
Dell Optiplex 330 Energy Smart Minitower Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E2180 $408
(2.00GHz, 1M, 800MHz FSB), 160GB HDD, 512MB RAM
Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E2180 (2.00 GHz), 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB Standard,
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition,SP2, x32, with Media, Mini tower, 667 MHz,
Core 2 Duo, 3 years warranty, Personal computer
Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop Computer (Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160, 240GB HDD, $409
1GB RAM)) Dell’s first desktops to carry the Inspiron name look good, inside and out.
With a huge range of available components and two equally attractive cases, mainstream
consumers ought to be able to find a config that meets their budget, tastes, and computing
needs.Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 (1.80 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 240 GB,
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Pentium Dual Core.
Dell Optiplex 330 Energy Smart Desktop Intel Pentium Dual Core Processor E2200 $411
(2.2GHz, 1M, 800MHz FSB, 80GB HDD, 512MB RAM
Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 (2.2 GHz), 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM,
80 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition,SP2, x32, with Media,
Desktop, 667 MHz, Pentium Dual Core, 3 years warranty, Personal computer
HP Compaq Business Desktop dx2450 – Sempron LE-1200 2.1 GHz $418
Specs: EPA Energy Star, AMD Sempron LE-1200 (2.1 GHz), 512 MB DDR II SDRAM,
80 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Micro tower, 800 MHz, Sempron,
1 year warranty, Personal computer.
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