Buying a computer can be a daunting task, especially if you are not that knowledgeable about all the components. You may not be buying a computer now, but I hope that you can reference this whenever that time comes. This is the first in a series of posts about what you need to know when buying a new computer.
First, decide if you are willing to take the extra time to build the computer or if you would rather buy it pre-assembled. I will tell you later what is involved in building a computer. It is not that difficult if you know how to use a screwdriver. However, prices on desktops are getting low enough that building one doesn’t save as much. Lets look at the pros and cons.
Build It
Pros: Pick exact components, Allow for upgrades, Potentially cheaper
Cons: Extra time, You make mistakes
Pre-assembled
Pros: Warranty, Less time, Operating system free usually
Cons: More expensive, Less upgradable
Second, lets decide what you will use the computer for. If for example, you are building a computer for your grandfather to check his email and the weather, it can be less powerful and thus less expensive than building an all-powerful media PC to hold, playback and manipulate your library of 15,000 mp3s and videos. So decide what you will be using it for and plan accordingly. I will let you know in Part 2 what components are important to focus on.
Similar Tips:
0 Responses to “Buying a computer for the layman, Part 1”