Disclaimer: I feel I must put just a bit of information about myself at the beginning of this artical. I am a general personal computer technician. I do not specialize in any one particular field nor do I claim to be an expert on this subject. The majority of any article that I write and post will be composed of questions and situations that I deal with on a daily basis that come from people that I meet that have purchased or have questions concerning aspects of owning a computer. All comments and questions are welcomed and I will do my best to find answers and you will find at the bottom of any article my recognition to any person that has contributed to the artical in question.

So you want to purchse a new computer.......

You have made the decision, you have the cash, you know you want to purchase a computer, the question now is which one? There are just as many brands of computers as there are types of computers. So the first question you need to ask yourself is: Do I want a laptop or desktop?

Laptops are portable. You can take them almost anywhere a person could think of going. Going on vacation or out of town to a business function? Need to keep in touch with the office or your loved ones? Then a laptop is the answer.

Desktops, or at least most common desktop computers are designed to be placed on desk or other surface that will seldom if ever be moved from its location once a place is designated. Desktops are great for the person who does not need their computer to be portable.

Once the question of laptop or desktop is answered, the next thing I get asked about the most is which computer do I choose and what kind of warranty and software comes with the computer?

Unfortunately, this is not a question I can answer for you. Not because I do not wish to promote the various name brands of computers. It is simply because I do not know what you want to do with your computer once you have made your purchase.

A computer, should be designed around what you intend to do with it. Do you want it so that you can occassionally surf the net or send email to family? Or do you want a machine that can play any and every know game to man? Do you need to be able to run specialized software on this machine so that you can stay in contact with your office?

The easiest way to answer this question is to sit down with a pen and paper. At the top write down the amount you have set aside for your purchase. Then begin to list everything you would like to do with the computer once you make your purchase. If specialized software is a requirement, then make sure to find out the specifications of the software.  It may take several days to do this, but in the end it is well worth the time and effort to do so. Once you feel the list is complete, then and only then go browsing.

When I say browsing, I mean exactly that, go online, or go to the nearest store that sells computers. Look around, check things out, see whats out there that will do what you need it to do and that falls within the budget that you have set aside for your computer. Grab brochures and talk to the sells people, but do not buy the first computer you see simply to make your purchase. Also something to consider is the warranty that comes with the computer. Some sales people out there are paid on commission and are out to make sale simply to sale, not help you make a purchase that will help you, so beware!

Once the computer has been choosen, then make your purchase!

A word of caution however is necessary here. First and foremost, before leaving the store, ensure that the display screens are not broken, or discolored on laptops. If so, then make them find another computer for you. Also it is not always wise to purchase an extended warranty through the store that sells you the computer. Again, there are some sales people out there that are not very trustworthy to tell you about what is not covered under a warranty. Another thing to check before leaving the store is if a restore or recovery cd(s) come with the unit or if you are required to make your own. (If you are required to make your own, make sure to purchase the cd(s) needed by your computer before leaving the store.)

Warranties are very tricky things, a general thing to keep in mind is that there are very few warraties that cover any type of problem that is not caused by faulty hardware and if a salesperson assures you of the opposite, then I would insist that you get their claims in writing. Now I am not saying do not purchase an extended warranty, what I am saying is that you should consider purchasing the warranty through the manufacturer of the computer.

Another thing to consider is all the stuff the store wants to do for you, by this I mean there are some places out there that will offer to set the computer up for you. If interested in having them do this, check out what they are going to do and make your decision. My question to you is, why pay someone to do something you can do yourself?

Setting up a computer or making a recovery cd is a very simple process that anyone can do which I will address in my next article.