| A complete guide to buying a computer... Note: | | | | building yourself, then you would want a cheap |
| This is guide targeted at beginners and | | | | part retailer. Be careful though, seeing some |
| intermediate computer users and buyers. These | | | | cheap places are dodgy. I once spent 1 month |
| are my views and opinions only. Please use the | | | | waiting for parts only to receive the wrong |
| information as reference only.Many people may | | | | graphics card which was also faulty. I finally had a |
| wonder when the best time to build a computer | | | | working system 2 and a half months after I paid |
| is. There are usually mixed answers depending on | | | | for the parts. If you don't want to build yourself, |
| factors like, when you need the computer by and | | | | then price will be a factor, but what could be a |
| what you need the computer for.I have decided | | | | bigger factor is after sale service & support. |
| to write a short guide for anyone who is planning | | | | Many places will forget about you once you walk |
| on purchasing a computer this year.Do you need | | | | out the door leaving your cash on the counter. |
| a new computer:Do you actually need a new | | | | Where some places may offer you excellent |
| computer? If you want a new computer because | | | | after sale support and extra "bonus" services. |
| your current computer has problems and is filled | | | | Although bonus services are rare, if a place |
| with errors.etc, then chances are, you actually | | | | provides them, then they're usually the right |
| don't "need" a new computer. Re-installing | | | | choice. Bonus services include things like, free web |
| windows usually fixes all performance issues and | | | | space or a special website for clients only which |
| all errors you may have with your computer. If | | | | offers free software and updates.When to |
| you have hardware problems, then chances are, | | | | buy:This factor falls right behind "where to buy" |
| it's a single part that is causing you grief and a | | | | and just in front of "what to buy". Depending on |
| replacement is usually the better option. Replacing | | | | what your computer will be used for, depends on |
| faulty parts is a good way to save money if you | | | | what parts are most important. To make your |
| don't actually "need" a new computer. If you think | | | | computer hold up in the future, you need to |
| your current computer is lacking performance due | | | | future proof it. Future proofing is something I |
| to new software and games or your computer | | | | strongly believe in. So, if you were to consider |
| isn't compatible with software and games, then | | | | purchasing a CPU, then make sure it has things |
| you should be considering a purchase. Always look | | | | like 64bit technology and make sure it has a |
| in to why you actually need a new computer | | | | dual-core CPU for when applications start to take |
| before you decide to buy.Upgrading your current | | | | advantage of dual-core processing.So, when to |
| computer:There is a rule I refer to when | | | | buy can sometimes not be an option depending |
| upgrading a computer. Never do a replacement | | | | on how urgently you need your new computer. |
| upgrade where you pull out a part and replace it. | | | | But if you have no urgency, then you should wait |
| Because then you are wasting money seeing you | | | | for the right time to buy. Below is a list of things |
| just pulled out a perfectly good piece of hardware | | | | to remember to select when the best time to |
| and thrown it into storage. If you try and sell the | | | | buy is...We will use Graphics Cards (GPU's) as |
| part, then you probably won't get close to 50% | | | | reference...* If the current line up of graphics |
| of what you payed for it. So, don't do | | | | cards have been around for a while, then wait till |
| replacement upgrades. There is another form of | | | | next gen arrives. That way your graphics card will |
| upgrading which is fine and which I like to call | | | | have the latest technologies, best performance |
| "Adding Upgrade". This is where you add a piece | | | | and better future proofing. |
| of hardware without taking anything out. So, | | | | * If you're waiting on the next generation of |
| things like, adding RAM, Hard drives, Optical | | | | graphics cards, then don't buy a next gen GPU as |
| Drives, Add-on cards.etc, these are all fine. There | | | | soon as it comes out seeing stock will be in short |
| is a time where you should never upgrade, this is | | | | supply most likely so you will be paying top dollar. |
| when your computer is old and starting to lag | | | | Instead, wait a few weeks after the initial release |
| behind in the latest applications. In this case, save | | | | so you get more competitive pricing. |
| your money on an upgrade and invest in a new | | | | * If there is (for example) a new high-end Nvidia |
| computer.What you need a new computer | | | | graphics card coming out and you want a high-end |
| for:When buying a computer, it is important to | | | | ATI graphics card for example, then wait till the |
| think about what you actually need the new | | | | Nvidia card comes out because then ATI will |
| computer for. Depending on what you use the | | | | most likely be forced to drop the prices of there |
| computer for, depends on what your "primary" | | | | high-end card.Other Info:The same or similar |
| part will be. Your "Primary" part is the piece of | | | | applies for all parts. You'll find parts like hard drives |
| hardware which will most effect performance in | | | | move along at the slowest pace in terms of |
| applications you are planing to use. For example, if | | | | technology. But usually things like that move along |
| you're a gamer, your graphics card will be the | | | | fast in terms of price. So be aware of that.There |
| primary piece of hardware in your system, so it's | | | | are computer parts which focus on luxury rather |
| smart to invest extra in to that. Where, if you | | | | than performance. These things include Monitor |
| want your new computer to act as a media | | | | Size and Speakers. Although these two things |
| centre for playing movies, captured video.etc then | | | | don't effect computer performance, they can |
| RAM will be your primary part followed by CPU. | | | | effect computer experience. I usually consider |
| Large video files require a lot of RAM to be able | | | | things like these last seeing what good is a |
| to access different parts of the video faster. You | | | | high-res screen if your graphics card can't support |
| also need a decent CPU seeing you need | | | | high-res video or games. you get the drift |
| something which can make use of the RAM | | | | anyway.Then, there are things like cases where |
| properly so it can decompress video at the rate | | | | although they don't directly effect performance |
| the RAM can output data.Where to buy:Where to | | | | (they sometimes can) or experience, that is what |
| buy is the biggest decision in buying a computer. | | | | someone sees when they view your computer |
| Also, depending on whether you will build yourself | | | | and your case can be important to show what |
| or get a retailer to build one for you. You should | | | | you're personality is like. Cases also offer |
| only build a computer if you can repair a | | | | functionality for ease of use and layout. The one |
| computer. Seeing if you build yourself, you get no | | | | time where they can increase performance, is |
| labour warranty. Although your parts will come | | | | there cooling ability. If your case has excellent |
| with warranty, you need to diagnose the problem | | | | ventilation. Then you yourself can increase |
| before you can get a replacement on the part. | | | | performance by overclocking or increase stability |
| That rule then loops around to the other side, | | | | by just keeping all components cool.Anyway, that |
| where you should buy from a system retailer as | | | | wraps up the guide for now, hope you learnt |
| long as they offer labour warranty.Another factor | | | | something and found it useful. Remember it pays |
| on where to buy is pricing. Some people look for | | | | to do your market research when purchasing |
| the cheapest places where others look for the | | | | computers so you know what is already out and |
| most reliable places or the ones with the best | | | | what's coming out.Cheers! |
| after sale service & support. If you're planning on | | | | |