Looking to buy a computer? Chances are, you already have one and are simply upgrading to something better or more specific to your needs. Whether you’re a first-timer or an old hand at buying computers, the elimination process begins with decision-making in regard to the selection criteria. There are several free online computer training courses and references to help get familiar with any of the terms you are not so clear about in this article.
Five things to consider before making your purchase:
1. Will the computer be portable or stationary? Not that long ago, a common misconception was that only a desktop could provide real power. The new laptops have blown that myth out of the water. Nowadays, a laptop can do virtually anything a desktop can do, and often, they can do more.
2. Will you want a personal computer or something in the Apple® family? Purists maintain that PCs are best for creating text documents and chatting online, while Macs® are superior in the graphics department. Truth is, both can do both. For personal use, choice often comes down to taste, what you’re used to, and what your friends have. If you are enrolled in or plan to take an online computer training course or use the computer for schooling or work, you will need to verify that either choice will be compatible with the required software and systems.
3. How important is price? Depending on what you want, prices can vary dramatically, from about $500 to more than $4,000. For example, the Toshiba Satellite® Notebook (A135 Series) includes Intel® inside, 15.4-inch diagonal WXGA TruBrite® display and plenty of memory for MP3s, work, picture and video files, with a DVD SuperMulti optical drive that reads and writes as many as 11 formats, at a list price of $699. Compare that to the $1,677.99 for the 15-inch MacBook® Pro Notebook Computer from Apple, which features all the power of a Macintosh® computer in a portable form to be used by video editors, graphic designers, educators and businesspeople.
4. For what will the computer be used? This can make a big difference in terms of what software programs you’re going to want preloaded on the computer. If the computer is to be used by the entire family, you’ll want some games, music, videos and various other programs in addition to whatever you first thought of when the idea of a new computer came to mind.
5. What operating system will you use? Windows® is far-and-away the most commonly-used operating system. That’s because it was designed to be compatible with just about everything imaginable. However, for some users, it may seem as though Windows requires more coding to interface everything properly.
Whatever you choose, keep in mind that you don’t have to know everything about how to use your computer in order to buy one. You can take an online computer training course from software manufacturers or from other companies that specialize in providing these kinds of tutorials. Search the Web for free online computer training courses and you’ll be surprised at what’s available.
