How to Buy a Computer

Buying a computer means investigating many features: RAM (random-access memory), processor speed, graphics capability, hard disk space and so on. Here's how to start. Be sure to investigate the Related Sites and Related eHows for more info.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• CD-ROM Drives
• CD-RW Burners
• CPU (computer Processors)
• DVD-ROM Drive
• RAM
• Zip Drives
• Computer Keyboards
• Computer Mice
• Computer Monitors
• Computer Speakers
• Floppy Disk Drive
• Hard Disks
• Modems
• Printers
• Sound Cards
• Video Cards
• Credit Cards And Loans
• Computers
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Windows
• Anti-virus Softwares

1. Choose a specialty store, consumer electronics store, retail chain, limited service discount chain, local computer builder or mail-order/Internet vendor, based on your hardware and service needs.

2. Buy when you need to buy. No matter how long you wait for the best deal, the same configuration will cost less in six months.

3. Decide which features you'll need based on what you're going to do with the computer. For example, if you're going to be creating graphics, sound and video, you'll want plenty of RAM. If you're going to be doing heavy computational tasks (searching large databases, watching video), you'll want a super processor.

4. Decide if you want a laptop, which you can carry around with you, or a desktop model.

5. Choose a computer brand based on quality, price and technical support.

6. Based on your likely needs, determined earlier, figure out the core configuration you need, including processor and speed, amount of RAM and hard drive size.

7. Determine additional drives you need: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD recorder, Zip.

8. Select peripherals and additional hardware such as modems, sound cards, video cards and speakers.

9. Decide how many extra internal card slots and disk-drive bays you'll need in order to allow room for future expansion.

10. Determine what pre-installed software you want or need. Get at least an operating system, such as Windows, an anti-virus program, and programs for word processing, spreadsheets, databases and keeping your checkbook.

11. Choose the length of warranty or service coverage appropriate to your needs.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep abreast of the latest technology by reading the new-product reviews in magazines and on the Web. Find out what hardware and soft-ware are included with the models you're considering, and use that as a basis for comparing prices. Ask 'What's the catch?' if a price seems too low.

• Understand that RAM is where your computer temporarily stores data to be processed. Although more RAM is better, you don't need much if you restrict your computer use to simple tasks (word processing, check balanc-ing).

• Games, however, can require lots of RAM; graphics and sound are other space hogs.

• Today's processors are usually fast enough for all but the most demanding applications, such as streaming video.