Buying a new desktop computer is never an easy task, especially for people who are not so tech savvy. It’s not enough that you are familiar with the popular PC brands out there such as Apple or HP – as much as possible, you need to have a good idea of how a particular brand or model of PC can work for you and if it has the capacity to meet your requirements. Let this article break down the details for you.
Define Your Need
The first question you should ask yourself when you’re planning to buy a desktop computer is this: “What do I need a new PC for?” Desktop computers are no doubt among the most essential devices today. Whether you’re at home or in your office, there is simply no way you can last the day without using one. Most people end up buying a PC that doesn’t meet their requirements, simply because they never defined their need in the first place before shelling out their money.
The moment the idea of buying a new PC pops into your mind, immediately ask yourself what you are going to use it for. Are you going to use it purely for browsing the Web and writing reports? Are you going to use it for pure entertainment, e.g. for watching DVDs and playing online games? Before actually paying for anything, make sure you take time evaluating your needs so that you won’t end up regretting that the computer you bought doesn’t have enough RAM or Video capacity to perform the task you want it to.
The specs determine how powerful a PC can be. If you plan to use your computer mainly for making slideshow presentations in MS Powerpoint, or for updating your Facebook or Twitter status, almost any model of computer will do. If you plan to use it for performing larger tasks, however, you would want to focus on a PC with higher specs:
- Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo
- RAM – 2 GB or higher
- Graphics Card – DirectX 9-capable graphics chip (w/128 MB dedicated memory)
- Hard Drive – Serial ATA 7200 rpm (200 GB or higher)
Whether you are buying desktop computers online or from your local PC supplier, your main aim is to end up with the right computer model at a price that’s perfect for your budget. So, what are the things you should consider to save money when shopping for a new PC?
- Check the warranty and customer support
- Avoid unnecessary add-ons
- Purchase upgrades immediately
- Settle only for trusted brands to ensure quality and longevity
Now that you are familiar with the details, you are ready to buy your new computer and you can rest assured that you will end up with a brand and model that would perfectly meet your requirements!