When purchasing a new computer, you may want to consider the following:
1) Software Applications - New computers often come bundled with software applications. Purchasing these software applications pre-installed on your new computer may be significantly cheaper than purchasing them after the fact. This is especially true for Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
2) Resources - The main resources you will probably want to consider are CPU and memory. The CPU is measured in GHz (giga-hertz) and memory in GB (giga-bytes). CPU's now come in Dual-Core (2 CPU's in one) and Quad-core (4-CPU's in one) as well. Although most new computers have more resources than the average user requires, you may want to consider buying more than you need now to save from paying to upgrade later. Laptops tend to be costlier to upgrade than desktops.
3) Size and Weight - Desktops come in all different sizes from the very small and light-weight cubes to the larger server size. Laptops typicall weigh between 4 and 7 pounds, but some laptops can weigh as little as 2 pounds or as much as 8 or 9 pounds with the battery or other extras.
4) Monitor Screen Size - Desktop and laptop monitor sizes vary. If you buy a high-performance monitor with only a DVI (digital) connector and not a VGA (analog) connector, then you may want to buy a computer with a matching connector so as to avoid having to purchase the connector hardware later.
5) Connectors - Although most computers come with more connectors than the average user needs, you may want to verify that you have all the connectors you need when you buy the computer to avoid having to buy the connectors later and possibly having to carry them around with you if you buy a laptop.
6) Support - Although I will be able to support any computer you buy, you may want to find out what free support comes with the computer. If you can have your problem solved for free, then you may be better off than paying me to solve it for you.
7) Warranty - A warranty that includes free hardware replacement may save you money, but it may also require more time to acquire the replacement part than purchasing a new part from a local retailer.
1) Software Applications - New computers often come bundled with software applications. Purchasing these software applications pre-installed on your new computer may be significantly cheaper than purchasing them after the fact. This is especially true for Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
2) Resources - The main resources you will probably want to consider are CPU and memory. The CPU is measured in GHz (giga-hertz) and memory in GB (giga-bytes). CPU's now come in Dual-Core (2 CPU's in one) and Quad-core (4-CPU's in one) as well. Although most new computers have more resources than the average user requires, you may want to consider buying more than you need now to save from paying to upgrade later. Laptops tend to be costlier to upgrade than desktops.
3) Size and Weight - Desktops come in all different sizes from the very small and light-weight cubes to the larger server size. Laptops typicall weigh between 4 and 7 pounds, but some laptops can weigh as little as 2 pounds or as much as 8 or 9 pounds with the battery or other extras.
4) Monitor Screen Size - Desktop and laptop monitor sizes vary. If you buy a high-performance monitor with only a DVI (digital) connector and not a VGA (analog) connector, then you may want to buy a computer with a matching connector so as to avoid having to purchase the connector hardware later.
5) Connectors - Although most computers come with more connectors than the average user needs, you may want to verify that you have all the connectors you need when you buy the computer to avoid having to buy the connectors later and possibly having to carry them around with you if you buy a laptop.
6) Support - Although I will be able to support any computer you buy, you may want to find out what free support comes with the computer. If you can have your problem solved for free, then you may be better off than paying me to solve it for you.
7) Warranty - A warranty that includes free hardware replacement may save you money, but it may also require more time to acquire the replacement part than purchasing a new part from a local retailer.
8) Return Policy - Costco makes it very easy to return a computer within a certain number of days. That way if you make a mistake and buy something you do not like, you can take it back for a full refund.