Written by Peter Reginald | 17 February 2010
Posted in Hardware

Buying a desktop computer can be a confusing and sometimes costly decision. Now imagine how empowered you could feel when you have a clear vision of what you want in a new computer. This ebook will show you how to shop for your dream computer in 12 simple, clear steps.

There is a really simple computer Computer buying comparison table at the end of this article. This article is updated regularly to keep up with current technology.

1. Create checklists

How do you plan to use your new computer?

• Basic: Internet browsing, email and chat.
• Fun: Playing computer games
• Entertainment: Listening to music or watching movies
• Work & School: Spreadsheet, word processing, database, etc.
• Shopping: EBay, paying bills

2. Do you plan to connect to the internet?

Will you connect to the internet with dial-up or broadband?

• Dial-up
• Cable Internet
• ADSL

These days broadband internet is relatively cheap. With broadband internet websites open quickly and you can watch internet videos and listen to internet radio. Another advantage of broadband over dial-up is you can use one telephone line  to access the internet and use the phone at the same time.

Wireless or Wired?

• If you want to enjoy the freedom of wireless internet your home or office then make sure to check your new computer comes with a Wireless Network Card built in.
• Most new computers should have a network port to plug your wired internet in.

Dial-up internet falls under the narrow band category.
Cable and ADSL internet falls under the broadband category.
Think of narrow-band as a 1 lane road and broadband as a 4 lane freeway. More lanes means more traffic which means more SPEED!

3. Seeing is believing

• LCD (also known as Flat Screens)
• CRT standard tube monitor (you'll rarely see these kinds of computer screens around these days)

Brilliant, High quality visuals

Most computers come with a standard graphics controller or processor. If you plan on playing computer games with amazing visual effects or edit home movies and photos then you could consider a high quality Graphics Card.

Inches & Wide Screen

A computer display screen is measured in inches and comes in a variety of sizes. If a display screen is advertised at 19 inches then this measures 19 inches diagonally, eg top left to bottom right. These days wide screens are becoming a more popular choice as they are so affordable. Wide screens are ideal if you enjoy using your new computer for playing games and watching movies.

4. Wired for Sound

The standard option is usually a set of stereo speakers if you plan to listen to music. If you plan to watch DVD movies on your computer then you could consider a 5.1 Speaker system. 5.1 Speakers means 5 speakers and a sub woofer much like a standard home theatre setup. Some computer games now provide surround sound environment.

• Check if your new computer comes with 5.1 sound support?
• Does the computer come with speakers?

5. Smooth Operation

Computer Memory (RAM) is an important consideration when buying a computer. More memory means more efficient and a smoother operation. More memory also helps your computer reduce the time spent switching between programs. It also allows you to have many programs open at the same time while enjoying really amazing performance.

• If you plan to run Windows XP then make sure your computer has minimum of 1 GB (2GB is ideal)
• If you plan to run Windows Vista then make sure your computer has minimum of 2GB (3GB is ideal)
• If you plan to run Windows 7 then make sure your computer has minimum of 2GB (4GB is ideal)

Computer memory capacity is measured in Gigabytes or GB. 1 Gigabyte is equal to about 1,000 Megabytes or MB. A four minute MP3 song is about 4 Megabytes in size.

6. The Need for Speed

The Processor or CPU is an important consideration when buying your new computer. The processor is like the computer brain or the engine that powers the programs and controls the equipment. The Faster the processor the quicker your programs will run but this power and speed also comes at a price.

• Dual Core processor is ideal to perform most tasks. Dual core is like having two brains or engines in one.
• Quad Core processor is has extra power to handle detailed computer games and video editing. Quad core is like having four brains or engines in one.

Processor power or speed is measured in gigahertz (abbreviated GHz)

7. File Storage

Hard Disk

A computer hard disk actually refers to a small device that sits inside your computer box. The hard disk stores all your photos, videos, documents, programs and more.

• A basic home computer should have a minimum of 250GB
• An entertainment computer should have at least 500GB

DVD or CD?

These days CD burners are rarely considered because DVD burner are so cheap. The new technology in DVD is called 'Blue Ray'.  Blue Ray stores around 5 times more information than a normal DVD. With blue ray you can enjoy movies with amazing sound and fantastic visuals on your computer.A DVD movie from your video library stores about 4GB of information
Your favourite music CD album stores less than 1GB of information
You can fit about 400 high quality photos in 1 GB
You can fit about 140 minutes of home video in 1 GB

8. Stop the Press!

If you own a digital camera then you may want to print your own photos at home.

• Print photos - colour ink jet printers
• Print work documents - laser printers

Also, consider printers with build in fax and photocopy features (All-in-one Printer). If you are after an all-in-one printer that offers true colour photocopy quality then choose from the colour laser range. All-in-one printer is also known as Multi Function Center (abbreviated MFC)

9. Am I Protected?

Protect your new computer with a good Anti-virus and spyware program. Most new computers come with a trial version of a virus protection program which require you to pay for a subscription for a small fee if it expires after a couple of months. Home users can download a free version of virus protection from these companies, for example: Avira AntiVir, Avast and AVG.

10. When Things Go Wrong...

If things go wrong you want to know your computer equipment is covered.

• Warranty for new computers usually range from 1 to 2 years.
• Will you have to take your computer to the shop for warranty service? (back to base)
• Will the computer seller arrange free pickup and delivery of your faulty computer?
• Is there onsite warranty support?
• Is there extended warranty option? If so how much extra will it cost?

11. Delivery & Setup

Find out if you can have your new computer delivered to your home or office and includes free setup. Ideally you want to have your computer plugged in and powered up so you start enjoying it as soon as possible.

• Is this service included in the price of the computer or this an extra cost?

12. ASK & Receive

When buying a computer remember to ask questions about what you are getting in the pack. Here are some questions you could ask next time you go shopping:

• Are all computer parts covered by warranty?
• Are the parts installed new or second hand?
• How long is the warranty period?
• Do you have to pick up your computer from the store or can it be delivered to your home or office.
• Can the store provide free setup and delivery or will you have to pay extra?
• Does the total price include the operating system like Windows XP?
• Are you buying legal software?
• Can the store custom build the computer to your needs or will it be 'off the shelf'?

It is important that you understand what you are buying. Be clear about what you want in your next computer.
Ask a lot of questions. If the seller does not have time or energy to answer all your questions then you might want to proceed with caution.

Computer Buying Guide Comparison Table

v1.2

	Basic Computer	Medium Performance	High Performance Computer
Total Budget	AU $1,100	AU $1,800	AU $2,400+
Ideal for the...	home and student user	business and home user	business, entertainment and gamer
I want to...	browse the internet, shop online, read emails, word processing	burn music, play games, watch DVD movies, run several intensive programs at the same time	edit and create my own DVD home movies, edit my photos, play amazing computer games
Internet Access	Wired broadband	Wireless broadband	Wireless broadband
Display Screen	19 inch wide screen	24 inch wide screen	Two 24 inch wide screens side by side
Sound Controller	Inbuilt stereo sound	Inbuilt 5.1 surround sound	THX certified 7.1 channel advanced HD sound controller
Speakers	A pair of stereo speakers (2.0)	A pair of stereo speakers with powerful sub-woofer (2.1)	7 speaker surround with a powerful sub-woofer (7.1)
RAM memory	Windows XP: 1GB Windows 7 - 32bit: 2GB	Windows XP: 2GB Windows 7 - 32bit: 2GB	Windows XP: 2GB Windows 7 - 64bit: 8GB
Processor (CPU)	Intel Dual Core E6500 2.93Ghz	Intel Core i3-540 3.06Ghz	Intel Core i7-950 3.06Ghz or AMD x4 Core Quad 965 3.40Ghz
Internal Storage	320 GB hard drive	1000 GB hard drive	1000 GB x 2 hard drives
DVD	DVD Re-writer	DVD Re-writer with Blue Ray	DVD Re-writer with Blue Ray
Printer	Ink jet printer	Ink jet photo all in one printer	Colour laser all in one printer
Virus protection	Avira AntiVir Personal or Avast antivirus Home FREE	Avira AntiVir Personal or Avast antivirus Home FREE	Avira AntiVir Personal or Avast antivirus Home FREE
Spyware protection	Superantispyware	Superantispyware	Superantispyware
Warranty and Support	1 to 2 years standard warranty	1 to 2 years standard warranty	Extended warranty with onsite support

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