Here are my thoughts on buying a new computer which, as you know, can be a tricky business.
Do your research
Find out about the computers on offer, by reading:
- Editors’ reviews - based on short-term lab trials
- User opinions - based on longer use revealing the plus and minus points
- Manufacturer’s information – how they intend the product to be used and what makes it stand out
With these three perspectives you should feel equipped to work out if the computer is right for you.
Memory is a must
The most important thing to consider for any new computer is the amount of memory or RAM (random access memory) it has. When your computer is running slow, it might not tell you that it doesn’t have enough memory. It will keep things going (as best as it can) by using part of its hard drive space as a kind of additional memory known as swap space or virtual memory.
So, to avoid problems, make sure you give a computer the RAM it needs – for most users, between 2GB and 4GB is enough. However, for serious gamers, you might consider going up to 6GB.
Shopping online v. in store
When buying a PC, you can always change the monitor, keyboard and mouse in order to get the right fit...so you can just about get away with ordering them on line.
However, as laptops have an integrated keyboard, mouse and monitor you really need to go into a shop to give it a test run. Check the keyboard for good key action, make sure you like the kind of mouse pointing devices the laptop uses (or buy a wireless mouse) and check the brightness and size of the monitor. Finally, if mobility is an issue, test the weight (including the battery).
However, as laptops have an integrated keyboard, mouse and monitor you really need to go into a shop to give it a test run. Check the keyboard for good key action, make sure you like the kind of mouse pointing devices the laptop uses (or buy a wireless mouse) and check the brightness and size of the monitor. Finally, if mobility is an issue, test the weight (including the battery).
Take advantage of special offers
Although there are new models of computers coming on the market every few weeks, they often differ very little from month to month. So don’t be afraid to buy "old stock".
Equally, there are often very good offers from online retailers such as Amazon. And just to be confusing, many retailers with a high-street and online presence (such as PCWorld) are often cheaper online than in the shop.
Shop for a price somewhere in the range of £380 - £550 (for either a PC or a laptop) and you are unlikely to go wrong.
Find out about customer support
Computers are largely made from the same components, with slightly different packaging. So, don’t worry too much about looks…instead, shop for a brand that will have good customer support.
Once you have a fair idea which computer you’d like to buy, ask friends and other users online what kind of product support experience they have had with that brand. Check the warranty, support section of the web site, and even call their free support number with a test question to see what the people are like on the other end.
This article can also be found in the Portobello Local, a new free magazine circulating in the EH15 and surrounding area.
