Tips for purchasing a new computer
Categories: End Users Information Upgrades
Christmas is quickly approaching and it seems that every day there are new and better sales. This is why this time of year is perfect for purchasing a new computer. If you have made it through Black Friday and Cyber Monday and are still looking for a computer or if you have purchased one and want to verify it is a good deal, here are a few guidelines that will help.
Brand: When looking at computers, the brand is very important. There are many cheap computers on the market and they tend to have shorter lifespans and more issues than computers by better-known makers. Dell, HP, ASUS, and Lenovo are a few of the better-known makers. If you are looking for the best quality from these companies, go to a store where you can look at the computers in person.
Processors: The processor is one item that you do not want to cheap out on. Many different processors on the market are acceptable and would do a good job. I tend to recommend going with Intel i5 or i7 processors. They are mid to high-grade processors and include technology to speed up or slow down depending on how you are using your computer.
Random Access Memory (RAM): RAM is another area where you do not want to cheap out. If you purchase too little RAM, your computer will run slower than it should. A good starting place with RAM is 4 Gigabytes (GB). If you plan to use your computer for more powerful programs like gaming or graphical programs, you should upgrade your RAM to 8 or 16 GBs.
Hard Drive: It is very important that you get a hard drive that is large enough to store your data. I usually recommend getting no less than a 500GB hard drive for a desktop or 256GB hard drive for a laptop. If you plan to store a lot of photos or files, get a larger hard drive. If you run out of space in the future, you can always purchase an external hard drive. However, you want to be sure that your main hard drive is large enough to handle updates and basic files.
Video Card: A video card is very important if you are going to use your computer for gaming or other heavy graphical jobs. Video cards also assist the processor thereby speeding up your computer and giving the computer a longer useful life. AMD and NVidia are both reputable video card producers and offer many good choices when looking at 1-4GB video cards.
Warranty: Most new computers come with a one-year warranty. However, you want to double check this before purchasing. I normally recommend getting the longest warranty you can afford (2-5 years.) If there is an issue with the computer, it should be covered under warranty. If you anticipate the device could be damaged by accident, be sure the warranty includes accidental coverage. Most manufactures warranties will not cover accidental damage.
There are many different options available when purchasing a new computer. Finding the right one at a great price can be difficult at times. I hope that this information makes it a little easier and this is the best time of year to find great deals on new computers. Good luck with your search and have a Happy Holidays!