John Chaffee, PhD. Creating A Thinking World
with John Chaffee, Ph.D. @www.thinkingworld.com

Thinking About Technology:
Purchasing a Computer:
What's Your Situation?


When thinking about buying a computer, you have to know your own situation thoroughly. Normally, people thinking about purchasing items focus heavily on what the product can do. The fuel efficiency of automobiles, the number of discs that can be played in a CD changer, and the number of vitamins in a breakfast cereal are all reasonable points of comparison for most shoppers. What makes computers different, however, is that they have become cheaper, more robust, and more diverse than most people would have imagined. As a result, a good way to think about purchasing computers is to rephrase a quote made by John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your computer can do for you, but ask what you will do with your computer." Allow your needs to drive the decision making process, and you will be more likely to be satisfied with your purchase for a long time. Your needs can be grouped into a few general categories: when you need the machine, what you plan to do with it, and where you need to take it. If you have a clear sense of where you stand in these three categories, comparing different models of computers becomes simpler and more enjoyable. buddha
When do I need my machine?


Many people ask me about when they should purchase a computer, and are often surprised when I respond, "about 2 weeks after you really need it." Computers are expensive, powerful tools that can end up serving as paperweights if users aren't careful. Normally, people try to make large purchases anticipating a future need. Families get mini-van months before they have any children in the house. Sports fans buy large televisions in August when they are planning a Super-Bowl party for the following January. Since consumers can often find sales on products a special times during the year, and since product features tend to change gradually for most consumer products, smart shoppers make purchases when they perceive the time is right to do so. The table below, however will illustrate why purchasing a computer can be somewhat different:

Month/Year Computer Model CPU/RAM Hard Drive Price
June 1998 Windows notebook 266 MHz/96MB 6.4 GB $3,999
June 1998 Windows desktop 400 MHz/128 MB 16.8 GB $3,999
September 1998 Apple iMAC 233 MHz/64MB 4 GB $1,299
December 1998 Apple G3 Notebook 250 MHz/64 MB 4 GB $3,499
January 1999 Windows notebook 300 MHz/64 MB 6.4 GB $3,399
January 1999 Windows desktop 450 MHz/128 MB 12.9 GB $2,299
May 1999 Apple G3 notebook 300 MHz/64 MB 8 GB $2,927
May 1999 Apple iMAC 333 MHz/64 MB 6 GB $1,198
May 1999 Windows notebook 366 MHz/128 MB 6.4 GB $3,599
May 1999 Windows desktop 500 MHz/128 MB 9.1 GB $1,999
January 2000 Windows desktop 500 MHz/128 MB 13 GB $1,179
January 2000 Windows desktop 800 MHz/256 MB 20 GB $3,300
January 2000 Windows notebook 500 MHz/128 MB 18 GB $3,408
January 2000 Apple iMAC 400 MHz/64 MB 10 GB $1,294
January 2000 Apple G3 notebook 400 MHz/64 MB 6 GB $3,494


As you can see, ignoring the special features of the individual machines, raw power is growing at a phenomenal rate. The high end Windows desktop machine is nearly four times the speed of its predecessor from 18 months ago, and is actually cheaper. In addition users can purchase much more computer for their money at the low end of the price spectrum: for $1,200, a user can now buy a machine that was considered cutting edge just one year ago.

Hopefully, these dramatic price differences show you that it doesn't pay to buy a computer until there is a clear need for one. Analysts predict that the price/performance ratio will only improve over the next year. And keep in mind that these units are improving in other ways as well. As innovations occur for accelerating graphics, producing sound, and compressing data, new machines can actually do more stuff than the computers that preceded them. In 1996, there were few computers that could run the current version of Microsoft Office, and virtually none that could run the latest computer games. Why is this? Because computers today ship with more memory, and with special features that didn't exist at that time.

It is certainly exciting to watch the prices and features change every few weeks. If you're considering a computer purchase, you are bound to notice the value of being patient. In fact, this rapidly changing environment may create another challenge. Many people end up waiting too long to get a machine. If this happens to you, you may find yourself not getting the maximum value out of your computer. For example, imagine that you have a 5 day vacation coming up in a month, but that you have to get work done during that trip. If you were planning to buy a laptop computer, you should consider the value of having it delivered in time for the trip. Even if waiting an extra two weeks to order would have saved you money, there is still a cost associated with not being able to do your work on your trip.

Understand that the person who waits longer than you do to purchase a computer will always get a "better deal". You can be more satisfied with your decision, however, if you feel that your computer will suit your needs for the foreseeable future, and that you took the necessary steps to get the best deal you could at the time. If you've done tons of research, know your needs, are ready to use a computer, and still can't make a decision, you might want to examine our section on procrastination. But if you are ready to make your purchase, you might want to read the next section on making purchases.

Buying a Computer | Know the Basics | What's Your Situation? | Look Closely, Leap Quickly | Talk to Us!



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