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Creating A Thinking World with John Chaffee, Ph.D. @www.thinkingworld.com |
Purchasing a Computer
Look Closely, Leap Quickly!
| If you are reading this section, you have probably already familiarized yourself with the most important features for computer performance, and you've accurately assessed your needs. If not, you are welcome to go back and review those sections. |
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There are many ways to buy a computer, and many smaller decisions that will go into your purchase. 1. Where and how will you buy your computer? You can buy computers at local resellers, directly from computer manufacturers, or from mail-order computer vendors. You might respond to an ad in a catalogue, or to an offer from a web site. When deciding where to get your computer, be sure to consider these issues:
2. What features will I want in my computer? What do you need to cover my basic needs? Do you need to print, surf the web, fax, crunch numerical data, produce graphics, play games, or write programs? What are the features that will best support the most common uses you have planned for my computer? Computers have special components that affect the ways images are displayed, and the way sound is produced. They now come complete with digital cameras, scanners, joysticks, and high capacity storage devices. It's easy to get confused about all the features available for today's computers. Remember to focus on your needs. If you only need the computer, you shouldn't feel obligated to pay for devices you won't use. On the other hand, you should make sure that you can distinguish between computer's and their capabilities, especially in situations where the prices are similar. There are lots of great places to find out about devices like sound cards, modems, DVD players and so on. Sometimes it helps to go to the web sites of popular manufactures like Creative Labs (multimedia devices), Apple (monitors), and Microsoft (joytsticks). Don't be afraid to ask sales representatives in person or on the phone as well. You'll find that comparing different systems is a good way to get a sense of what's out there, and what's right for you. 3. Do I need a new monitor, or do I have one I can recycle from an older computer? If I need a new monitor, what kind of monitor will best suit my needs? Monitors range in price from about $150 to $1,500 and include 13-inch television style monitors and 17- inch flat screen ones. Not buying a monitor typically reduces the price of a new computer by $200 - $400. For some people who plan to use their computer as a movie player (DVD), or who work as graphics editors, a 17-inch flat screen is worth the investment. In other cases, any monitor will do. Remember-spending less money on a monitor means spending more money on the parts of the computer that affect its performance. 4. I just don't feel comfortable making this kind of decision without some more information. Where can I go to find out more? If you need more data, don't worry. Finding more information is as easy as finding this web page. Here are some helpful places to start your search:
5. Apple vs. Windows? Laptop vs. Desktop? How do I choose? When choosing what kind of machine you're going to purchase go back to assessing your needs. Do people in your work group or school use Windows or Apple machines? Why? Do you have a familiarity with one of these two platforms? Does your industry prefer one platform to the other? Is cost a factor? Do you need to travel with the computer? Remember, laptops typically cost more than desktop computers, so if you have access to computers at work and/or school, you might want to get a desktop computer to maximize your value. |
Buying a Computer | Know the Basics | What's Your Situation? | Look Closely, Leap Quickly | Talk to Us!
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