How to Choose a Computer Brand

Is the cheapest PC really the best deal? Not if the company uses inferior parts. For the best buy on a new PC, do your homework and try to go with a company that uses high-quality components.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computers

1. Check the PC Magazine subscriber survey, published each July, for comprehensive information about reliability and customer satisfaction with individual brands.

2. Buy a brand with above-average reliability and customer satisfaction.

3. Be aware that manufacturers that have made personal computers for a shorter time will have misleadingly high scores.

4. Choose a brand that offers a three-year parts-and-labor limited warranty, if possible.

5. Select a brand that uses high-quality parts inside, unless price is your primary consideration. Do some research to find out which parts are better. Investigate the computer drives (hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM disc), internal cards (sound card, video card, network card), power supply, and the internal buses in addition to the type of processor.

Tips & Warnings

• See Related eHows for more information on evaluating different parts.
• Buy the same brand computer and monitor only if the monitor looks good to you.
• If you're considering a Macintosh, realize that PC magazines won't include information on them. Consult Mac publications instead.
• Be wary of a brand that offers the same configuration as another brand at a lower price.

on 8/8/2006 Many computer manufacturers outsource their support. If you do not want to speak to foreign technical support, or just want it fixed, your best option would be to purchase a PC from a local PC builder. Usually a local company will remember you and your system and be much more help and more appreciative of your business. Support your local economy. Buy local!

on 11/22/2005 Looking for a 3-year warranty is not very feasible, as many manufacturers offer only a 1-year warranty.