We are now into 2012, and your old computer just quit. Do you fix
it or buy a new computer? If the computer is 5 years old or older, then
probably buying a new computer is the better strategy. Many computers
manufactured 5 to 9 years ago have hardware components that fail mandating
replacement of the computer. Please read on to understand how to buy the best
computer for your needs.
The first decisions to make in buying a new computer are very
basic. By answering these questions you determine your basic purchase strategy:
1. Please ask yourself "How much can I spend?" The
computer prices range from $200 to $400, $450 to $800, and $900 and up.
2. Next determine the computer type (or style) that works best for
you. The types of computers are desktop, laptop, and tablet. These types of
computers differ in their size, portability, and functionality.
Desktop computers are the least portable. They are good for using
multiple displays and heavy workloads. Laptops vary in size and portability.
The big ones have 17-inch display making them luggable for occasional trips.
Big laptops have most of the capabilities of a desktop but the computing
horsepower is lower than a desktop in order to conserve laptop battery power.
Similarly, the display is smaller with lower resolution than displays used with
desktop computers. Tablet computers are the most portable. They can do a lot,
but with a much smaller display. The tablets are a powerful, portable
information tool that is one step above a smartphone.
3. Finally, the timeless question is: Do I buy an Apple or another
computer? The other computer main selections are Windows 7 operating system or
Android operating system computers. There are also Linux computers. Linux is
free General Public License software operating system. Linux computers are
equivalent for everyday users to Windows and Apple computers. The single
difference between Linux and Windows is that with a Linux computer you only pay
for the computer hardware which is a huge savings over Apple and Windows computers.
The market for Apple computers is tightly controlled. This means
that Apple computers work very well with few problems. They are seldom attacked
by malicious software. Everything an enthusiastic Apple owner says about their
Apple is true. They are also beautiful looking computers. The down side is that
they are expensive. When an Apple does malfunction, you have a big problem. If
the Apple computer is under warranty, then you schedule a visit to the Apple
store and wait in line to get it fixed. Also, you pay a lot for the repair.
In contrast Windows 7 computers are like the Wild West. In the
Wild West anything can and does happen. There are many competing hardware and
software products for Windows 7 computers. Windows 7 computers are the most malware,
spyware, and virus attacked computers. Because there are more Windows computers
sold than any other computers, Windows computers are the biggest target to
attack. Apple computers also get viruses, but much less often than Windows
computers. Windows computers can be cheap computers but they are not cheaper
than Linux computers.
4. The final question is: What computer manufacturer do you like?
Each manufacturer has its approach to selling computers. My preference is
manufacturers that do not add fancy frills beyond the basics that come with
Windows or the computer operating system. Most of the frills try to sell you
something, provide functions that a redundant with the operating system, they
occupy screen space getting in the way of what you are doing, and they overload
and slow down the computer. For example, HP computers are like Big MACs, they
taste great but come with a lot of software fat.
Lenovo computers are like a bank vault. They secure your data but
are miserable to fix because of the security. It seems that all computers come
with an annoying "dock" or application launcher. It takes up a lot of
screen space and really adds little beyond what Windows itself provides. It is
always cheaper to purchase a package than to build a custom computer.
Purchasing custom computer parts is always more expensive than buying a
packaged system from a manufacturer because the manufacturers purchase computer
components in such high volume.
Once your basic strategy is determined, then it is time to find a
computer. The approach here is to use the Internet to perform the initial
shopping and then go to the store to make the final decision and purchase.
Please go to the web site of a computer retailer near you such as Best Buy or
Staples. Search their site based on the type (or style) of computer that works
best for you. The site should produce a list of computers from which to choose.
Sort them by "Best Selling" and check the "Customer
Reviews". Please determine how the price compares to your budget. Most
retail store sites permit comparing the features of three computers side by
side. Carefully select three computers for comparison.
This approach was used to compare from one retailer three desktop
computers moderately priced. They ranged from $429.99 to $699.99. The $429.99
computer used a 3.3 GHz Intel i3 CPU chip, had 6 GB RAM, and a 1 TB disk drive.
The 549.99 computer used an AMD 2.4 GHz CPU chip, had 8 GB RAM, and had a
slower 5,400 rpm 1.5 TB drive. The $699.99 computer used an Intel 3.0GHz i5 CPU
chip, had 6 GB RAM and a 7,200 rpm 1 TB drive. The differences between these
systems are not likely to make the most expensive system perform that
noticeably better to a user than the least expensive system. As long as the
hardware features are generally in the same range the performance seems to be
the same for each computer.