Visiting the Tech Aisle: What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Computer
Author: Benedict Yossarian

Buying a desktop computer need not be a traumatic experience.
You just need to know your specifications and limitations. But,
if you are like the majority, identifying the specs alone will
prove to be daunting.

Purpose

One should decide the primary use of the computer. Will it be
storage for thousands of audio and video files? Will it be used
solely for encoding documents and spreadsheets? Or is it
intended for a gamer? Clearly, the unit that you will be buying
must meet your requirements based on how your plan to use it.

Budget

This is where the limitation enters the scene. Set a budget and
stick to it. Be prepared for a plethora of gadgets and
peripherals with varying costs and warranties. Always consider
the price coupled with the warranty. An item may appear to be a
money saver, however, it does not bear any warranty. On the
other hand, a mid-priced item may demand that you cough up a
couple more dollars, but see, it has 1 year warranty.

Remember, it is not wise to buy top of the line computers
because after a couple of years it will become obsolete. And
with our fast paced environment and advance technology, it may
even be sooner.

Accessories

Will your purpose necessitate a flat panel monitor? Twelve or
twenty-one inches? Aesthetically pleasing or not? Printers:
colored or just your basic black and white? How about the
speaker, the web cam, and the scanner? Are these needed as well?


Research

With all the questions posted in the previous paragraphs,
research is but mandatory. By conducting research, not only will
you find your ideal computer but you will get a chance to learn
the lingo as well. Now the words RAM, PCI slots, and firewall
ports are no longer gibberish. And for the first time, you were
able to clearly understand the salesperson despite his fast
talks and marketing spiel.

Shop Around

If you are still somewhat confused with the tech jargon, a
quick visit to your local computer stores will help you to grasp
the lingo. It does not matter if you are hiring a service or
purchasing a manufactured good, shopping around and canvassing
for comparison are simply vital.

As with any business, there will always be establishments
offering the same item that have different selling prices.
Though it should be remembered that the low-priced item does not
necessary mean good deal. With this said, having the most
expensive gadget does not always equate to great quality as
well.

The Uses

Gaming: For most gamers, a basic computer will not do. They
require fast processors, large amounts of RAM, huge screen, a
booming speaker, and the best video card money can afford, or
their money can afford. Not to mention specialized keyboards,
mouse, and headsets.

Photo & Video Editing: Casual editing can be performed on most
desktop computers. However, professionals in this field demand
that they have a fast processor, a lot of disk space, and
high-end component cards. Peripherals may include printers and
tablet pointing devices (in lieu of the mouse).

All Around Basic Computer

Encoding documents, checking emails, listening to CDs, doing
homework, and surfing the net; if these are your usual
activities then you do not need a multifaceted computer.
Complexity has no place here. Any standard unit from the
electronic shop will do.

On The Go

For students, a laptop is the ideal notebook (redundancy not
intended). This is ideal for school works, particularly when you
are one of those people who do their assignments on the way to
the university stopping by the adjacent shop to print your
documents. The downside, anything portable costs a lot. Battery
life is also an issue.


About The Author: The Auther of this article is Benedict
Yossarian. Benedict recommends New Horizons IT courses such as
MCSE, CCNA and Photoshop Training. Benedict recommends Comm
Store for hardware such as swtiches and Cat5e UTP cable.
http://www.nhnorthernireland.com/ http://www.comm-store.co.uk