Purchasing a home or business computer can be a big and
sometimes costly decision. Below is a listing of helpful suggestions for
what to look for and ask when purchasing a home or business computer new or
used.
NEW vs. USED
Before purchasing a computer, consider if you should purchase
a new or used computer. Many individuals who sell computers before they are out
of date allow you to purchase a relatively decent computer. Before
purchasing a new computer from a computer manufacturer, look at what is
available and review the below precautions when purchasing a computer.
Ensure that the computer has no physical damage by
inspecting the ports as well as the inside and the outside of the
case.
Ensure what you are getting what you pay for. This is
explained in more detail later on this page.
If the individual selling the computer indicates that
the computer comes with a manufacturer warranty that has not been
completely utilized, for example, the computer has a standard 3 year
warranty and the user is selling it after 1 year, ensure the warranty
is transferable by the computer manufacturer. Many manufacturers will
not transfer the computer warranty.
If you are selling a computer, ensure that the computer's
hard disk drive is erased to help prevent users from looking at potential
personal data.
MAC vs. PC
This is always going to be a heavily discussed and debated
topic, the Apple Macintosh vs. Standard PC Clone. Both options have good and
bad reasoning behind them and it used to be a very important choice. However,
because of advancements in both the Mac and the PC, both are a good option
overall. We feel that this option is best left to the individual purchasing
the computer.
If you find yourself working with a
PC/Mac computer at work and/or home or family members have a PC/Mac and
you need the capability of transferring files or programs from your PC/Mac
to a new computer, consider purchasing a PC/Mac as it will be something
that will be more familiar. It is important to note that the Macintosh can
run Windows as a clone, and therefore, most programs and data that can be
used on a PC can also be opened in a Macintosh. In addition, the PC
computers have the capability of opening Macintosh files.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
When purchasing a computer it is likely that you will have a
general idea of what you may like in the computer or how you would like to
configure the computer. Below is a listing of the various components likely
to be found in a computer and recommendations and tips when considering any
of the below components.
Device
Short recommendation
Case
While the case may not be important to
some computer users, it is a consideration to be thought about before
purchasing a desktop computer.
What type of case should be purchased or is needed? Do you
want a desktop or tower case?
Does the case support the standards of motherboards, for
example, the ATX
motherboard standard?
Will the case fit on top of or below your desk.
Will the drives be accessible or will they be positioned the
way you wish them to be positioned?
Complete buying tip information on computer cases can be found on
our case buying tips page.
CD Media
The type of CD drive in the computer is becoming
an important consideration when purchasing a computer. When looking
to buy a new or used computer, inspect the type of drive
included.
Is it a standard drive? If so what speed?
Or is it a DVD / CD-R / CD-RW drive?
If the drive is a DVD, is it hardware or software decoding?
If the drive is a CD-R / CD-RW drive, does it include software?
These are just a very brief listing of questions and
considerations to think about when purchasing a computer. Buying
tips for all of these drives can be found on the below links:
Hard drives have and always will be an
important consideration to think about when purchasing a new
computer or used computer. The hard drive will be the destination of
all your files and information, and if that drive is to become full,
that drive will need to be replaced or another drive will need to be
added to the computer. When looking at the space of the hard drive,
always get the maximum size hard drive, considering you will
eventually always run out of space.
Memory is and has always been an
important consideration when looking at purchasing a computer.
Determine the amount of memory included in the computer as well as
verify if that memory can be upgraded in the future. The more memory in
the computer, the more efficient the computer will run.
Computer buying tip information on computer memory can be found
on our memory buying tips page.
Modem
The modem is becoming not as important
as it has been in the past with the upcoming spread of broad band.
When looking to purchase a computer, a modem should not be an
important consideration unless broad band is not available in your
area. Today, all new and most used computers are equipped with at
least a 56k modem, which should be the only speed looked at with the
demand of bandwidth with Internet use.
Complete buying tips and information on modems can be found on
our modem buying tips page.
Network Card
With the increase with more than one
computer in the house and with broad band solutions sometimes requiring
a network card, a network card is becoming an important consideration
when purchasing a computer. Network cards allow users to connect to
other computers and have small networks in their home or office.
This allows for data transfer, file sharing, Internet connection
sharing, printer sharing, and various other helpful uses.
The computer processor is and will
always be an important consideration when purchasing a computer.
Today, with multiple CPU/Processor manufacturers, it may be more
confusing as well as more cost efficient to look at the different
processor manufactures as well as the type of computer processors.
Complete buying tips and information on computer processors can be found
on our CPU buying tips page.
Sound Card
Sound cards are important when looking
at purchasing a computer; however, the majority of all computer users
will find that most standard sound cards will suite their needs.
However, some users may enjoy purchasing more advanced sounds cards
that will increase the amount of speakers that can be used, and in
some games and programs, the sound quality and capabilities.
Video cards are becoming an extremely
important factor when purchasing a computer. While this may surprise
some, a video card can make or break a computer when it comes to
playing games on the computer. Most games today require additional
video memory as well as special video modes such as OpenGL. With a
video card with little video memory or without these modes, the
computer will be unable to play these games. In addition, the
advances in video cards can dramatically increase the user enjoyment
of the game being played.
When looking at purchasing different types of computers, you
will likely hear different stories, some good and some bad. Regardless if
the story is good or bad, these stories are always based off of the
experience of that user. While it may be true that the user had a bad or
terrible experience with that computer, all computer manufacturers have had
users who have had a bad experience and there is no such thing as a bad or
perfect computer manufacturer. Below is a listing of various things to
consider when purchasing a computer and in some cases how to tell the good
from the bad.
Add-ons
Some computer manufacturers may try to
sell additional add-ons when purchasing a computer. Unless you have
done your research on the additional add-on, do not consider the
add-on. While in some cases it may be beneficial to get a printer,
scanner or maybe a camera with a computer, you may be paying
premium for the additional add-on, or in the case of the printer you may
have to pay premium on the ink in the future. Do your research;
ensure that if you get an additional hardware / add-ons that the
hardware will suite your needs and that it does not end up being something
that is not going to be used.
Free add-ons? Some computer companies may entice you into
purchasing a computer by giving you free add-ons. These add-ons may
be advertised as free, but ensure or ask if the add-on price is
not just being added to the overall computer price.
Add-ons that should not be of concern are hardware peripherals
such as a mouse or keyboard. These are almost always included with a
computer package and are really of no additional cost to the user.
Documentation
While most manufacturers today are
reducing the amount of documentation included with their computer, an
excellent question, especially if the computer is being purchased by
a new computer user, is "what type of documentation is included
with the computer?"
All computer manufacturers will include some type of paper
documentation or paper inserts; however, does this information
include documentation about upgrading the computer in the future?
How to connect the cables to the computer? Documentation on how to
use the software, such as the additional included software?
Note: It is important to distinguish between paper documentation
and on-line documentation. On-line documentation that is being
found more today is information that is either locally on the
computer or can be accessed via the Internet. If the information is
available over the Internet, see how that information looks and if it
suites your needs before purchasing the computer.
Hardware
Hardware is sometimes overlooked when
purchasing a computer, especially at a local computer retail store,
as the hardware is not always visible, which causes it not to be
inspected or reviewed before purchasing the computer.
As mentioned above, ensure you are getting the hardware that you
believe you will need. If you are a game player, is the computer
hardware going to be capable of playing the games you would like to
play?
Internet discount
A new method of selling a computer to
decrease the overall cost of the computer. While this method sounds
good for many users, this may be a misfortune in the future. The
general idea: If you purchase a computer and sign up for an Internet
service for x amount of days / months or years, you will only
have to pay x amount for the computer.
Reasons why for most users this is not a good idea:
Generally, if you work out the monthly fee of the Internet
service for the x amount of time that is required to sign
up to the Internet provider, it will work out to be more than the
original price of the computer.
These services are generally always modem services. If you
want to upgrade to broadband, you may either not be able to
without voiding the contract or have to pay the additional,
sometimes premium, price of broadband through that provider.
If the contract becomes void you may have to pay the
additional money of the computer as well as the time spent with
the Internet service provider.
Many services will require that you pay the full amount of the
computer and then once the contract is fulfilled with the
Internet Service provider then a refund will be sent from the
computer manufacturer (or may not).
Location
We use location as a description to
describe several different topics. First, what is the location of
where the computer is purchased: If the computer is purchased at a
local retail store, can the computer be returned if unsatisfactory to
that store? If the computer is purchased through mail order or
directly through the computer manufacturer or reseller, where can the
computer be returned if unsatisfactory?
Second, can the store location of where the computer was
purchased service the computer? If not, where is the closest location
to where the computer can be serviced?
Third, if the computer is purchased directly from the computer
manufacturer and is shipped through mail, how is it shipped?
What is the time period for the computer to arrive to your
destination? What happens if the computer is damaged during
shipping?
Refurbished
Refurbished is a term used to describe a
computer or a hardware device or component in a computer that has
been used, looked at and determined to be in working order.
However, because the product has been used or purchased, it cannot be
sold as new.
Refurbished computers will have a lower price and are generally a
good deal for users who may not have a lot of money to spend on a
new computer. It is important, however, to compare the price of the
refurbished computer to a new computer as well as to review all of
the tips on this page as all the same rules, tricks and tips still
apply.
Return
Verify with the computer manufacturer if
it is possible to return or have a money refund for the computer.
Many computer manufacturers will not refund your money but instead
may offer an exchange for another computer. Verify with the
manufacturer of the computer or the reseller what their return /
refund / exchange policy is.
Service
Service is an important consideration to
look at when looking to purchase a computer, new or used. The
service is how many companies describe the repair of a computer if
it or a component within it is to become broken. Below is a listing
of what type of service to look for:
What type of service is offered? Is the service onsite,
meaning a technician will come to your location to replace or
fix a bad component. If the service is onsite, is it for the complete
time of the warranty?
If onsite is not offered, what is and for how long?
Can the computer be taken to a local service center? If yes,
what is the closest authorized service center?
What is the time frame the service takes to occur? For example,
if the computer has a bad component, what is the time it will
take for a technician to come onsite and replace that component,
or what is the time it will take to have the computer sent
in to be fixed? Finally, if that time frame is not accomplished,
what is the company willing to do, for example, are they
willing to provide you with
a loaned computer.
Software
Software for many computer users,
especially new users, is thought to be an important consideration
when purchasing a new computer. Granted there is software
that we highly recommend looking for when purchasing a
computer, such as word processor or spread sheet program, some
computer companies may over hype the software package. Below is a
listing of what to look for when looking at the software included
with a computer.
Does the software include Microsoft Office or Corel Suite?
These packages allow you to have a word processor and/or a
spread sheet. For the majority of all users, this should be an
important consideration.
Is the software full versions of the software or is the
software demo programs or shareware programs?
Support
While you can always contact Computer
Hope for support, manufacturer support for most users will be a very
important consideration as if an issue arises with the computer you
must be able to contact a support representative. Things
to consider when looking at the support options of a computer are:
Is support open 24 hours, 7 days a week? If not, what are the
hours?
Is support open on holidays? If not, what days are it closed?
What support options are available? Phone? E-mail? Web? Chat?
Upgrade ability
While this option may not be considered
at first when purchasing a computer, it is an important
consideration. Below is a listing of different options to look for
when looking to upgrade a computer.
What can be upgraded in the computer? RAM? CPU? Hard Drive?
Video Card? If available to upgrade, what are the maximum amounts
or is it specified within documentation provided with the
computer?
Does the computer have on-board hardware, such as an on-board
video card? If yes, can these be disabled with a jumper or
through CMOS. This is a very important as many computers will
disable the device when a new device is added. However, this does
not always work and may cause future issues. Ensure it can be
disabled and that it is not a device that auto-disables.
Is the case a standard case? Some computer manufacturers have
proprietary cases, causing difficulty when trying to add new
hardware. Most commonly this occurs with the video card.
What motherboard form factors is the case? The most common
motherboard form factor today is ATX; does the case support this
factor so the motherboard could be swapped in the future?
Warranty
Finally, what warranty is offered by the
computer manufacturer? How long is the warranty? Does the warranty
cover both hardware and software issues?
Warranty can cause frustrations for most users; we highly
recommend that a computer only be considered if it has at least
a one-year warranty. Many cheap computers will only come with a 90
day warranty. Meaning if a part goes bad, you will have to pay for
the part as well as the service. This may not be an issue for users
who just need a cheap computer and are willing to replace parts and
service the computer.
SCAMS
Unfortunately, like anything, it is possible to be tricked or
for computer companies to scam you. Below is a listing of what to look for
when purchasing a computer.
Get what you pay for - Ensure that the product
you are purchasing is what you are paying for. It has been known that
computer companies may list a processor being a specific speed,
however, actually have a totally different speed of processor in the computer. This
unfortunately can be very easy as any user can 'over clock' a
processor making it appear as one speed but in reality being a
completely different speed. For example, you may buy a 733MHz processor
but instead get a 500MHz.
To determine the processor speed, open the computer and look at the
processor itself. Do not look at the processor through a software
program or through BIOS as these values can be changed or tricked.
Legal software - When purchasing a computer,
ensure it comes with legal software. Many end-users or small computer
companies who build or sell computers may not provide you with legal
copies of the software that is illegal. Verify that the software that
came with your computer is on a standard CD and not a burnt CD. A
burnt or home-made CD will generally be a different looking CD and
have a gold or green bottom. Ensure that if the software requires a
license or registration number that it was included with the computer.
An example of software that includes these certificates is Microsoft
Office and Windows.
