I
just went through the process of buying a new computer for my
brother-in-law, and I thought I would share some of my observations
with you. He approached me about getting a new computer, and
since I buy "older" machines or build my own, this
was a relatively new experience for me.No, Im not going
to tell you what he wound up paying. I dont want to get
lots of e-mail from people telling me he paid too much. I will
tell you he bought a Dell
after much consideration, with the Sony Vaio being a close second choice. We
talked several times before selecting the Dell, and even put
together a list of things he wanted to do with it:
- 1. Internet e-mail, instant messaging,
and Web browsing
- 2. Video editing (he had a DV cam-corder)
- 3. Watch DVD movies
- 4. Make custom Music CDs
- 5. Homework and research for his
daughter in high school
- 6. Connect to his DSL connection
via a home networkNeither he (nor his daughter) play games, so
a bleeding edge machine wasnt required.
The budget was about $1,500, which
we very close to meeting. Some of the things you should consider
when getting a computer:
- 1. Processor - get a Pentium 4.
Dont buy anything else at this point.
2. Hard disk - as big as you can afford. Get the faster 7200rpm
drive if youre going to be playing games or doing video
editing.
3. RAM - there is no excuse for not getting 256 megabytes of
RAM at this point. If it adds more than $75 to the cost, then
have a friend put one in a PC you buy separately.
4. Video card - very important. Get a 4x AGP card with at least
16mb of RAM, with 32mb or 64mb if you can.
5. Network card - comes with most now, and makes it easy to plug
into a cable modem or DSL line.
6. Monitor - your old monitor will probably work but we got a
19" .26 dot pitch monitor as part of a bundle price to replace
a really old, low-resolution monitor. This is your Window into
the Internet and software, so make it a pleasant experience.
7. Software - make sure it comes with Windows Me or XP. A system
restore CD will make the task of restoring your computer to factory
settings a quick job. Works comes with most computers, but get
the Office upgrade if you can afford it.
8. Warranty - how will you get a replacement for the monitor
or hard disk that dies in 2 weeks after you get the computer.
Ask. You might be surprised by the answer.
Mikes Tips for Buying A Computer
- 1. Really think about what you
are going to do with it, and what you might do with it. Buy a
little more speed than you think you need, but twice the RAM
and hard drive. They are cheap additions now and save time later.
2. Get the type of machine you need. Windows is the most popular
operating system, and while you can do most things on a Mac,
there is more software for Windows. Buy the machine for the software
you will use. Linux is not really for beginners, unless you want
to learn (no flame mail - I like Linux, but wouldnt put
my mother on it yet).
3. If youre not sure, enlist the help of a computer expert
friend. They might be willing to work for a hot meal or a six-pack
of beer. Ask them for their preferences, but keep in mind some
might be biased towards the Mac or Linux (which are great options)
but buy what you want, not what someone forces on you.
4. Watch for hidden costs, such as shipping. My first quote from
Dell included a $95 shipping and handling cost (they ran a free
shipping special offer later). Also watch to see if they add
tax to the order - if they dont, you might be responsible
for paying it later (use tax).
5. Keep in mind the cost of software. If you want to have a full
copy of Microsoft Office, it could be as much as $500 at the
store, or just $100 from your vendor. If your machine doesnt
come with Windows, you might be paying $200 for a copy if your
machine dies or you need to update your system.
6. There is no such thing as a free lunch. We were able to price
the same machine for much less, but it didnt have on-site
service (which means I wont be fixing the machine) or a
real copy of Windows (in case one is needed for a re-install.
7. Ask if there is a system restore disk for the computer. Things
happen, and being able to return the computer to the way you
got it from the factory quickly can make your life easier.
Before you ask why I didnt
buy it at a show, Ill tell you. We spend quite a bit of
time looking at computers at shows, and they sound really cheap.
However, when I priced it vs. the Dell, they were about $200
different. The show computer didnt include software (not
even Windows), warranty, or decent manuals. If we had bought
a show machine I would wind up spending the $200 in MY time fixing
things. Im not against saving money, if you feel comfortable
buying a show computer, but my brother-in-law is not a computer
person. He just wants to have fun - not be stressed out by it.
The Dell showed up about a week
later. He set it up without me, and was able to get things going
with minimal help from me, including burning CDs. There
is a lot of value in the "Out of box" experience you
get when setting up and using your computer. I think that alone
makes the Dell worth a lot more than the $200 difference in price.
Dont e-mail me about how much
better another computer manufacturer is than Dell. You have to
find a vendor you feel comfortable with, and that may be Gateway, Compaq, Apple (I have
2 Macs), or HP.
I asked a bunch of friends that buy computers, and all of them
said "Dell." I also asked the salesmen at computer
stores what was returned or had complaints, and Compaq was the
worst of them, followed by HP. I hope this helps you find a computer
if youre looking.
Dont be afraid to ask questions
about the computer youre buying, as there is no such thing
as a stupid question (except the one you are afraid to ask).
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