The Buying Process

Becoming a little knowledgeable about computers and thinking through all the variables ahead of time prepares you for making informed decisions about what you need in a computer. When you are informed, you never need to depend on a sales person to tell you their opinion. (More about this later.) Here are a few important guidelines to direct you in your search for the perfect computer.

• Search by Configuration - Learn the basic parts of a computer and decide exactly which components are needed for your own configuration. That's because you're likely to get a better deal if you shop only for exactly what you need. Think about all parts of your perfect computer, but give special thought to:

  The amount of RAM memory you'll need. Windows XP needs a minimum of 128MB. If you do graphics-intensive work, you'll want at least 256MB. Never buy more memory than you need. RAM memory is expensive.

  Hard Drive Size. For everyday office or school work, 10GB will be fine. But if you do games or photo editing, you'll want more, maybe 40-80GB . For serious video editing, even more will come in handy.

  The Graphics Card. For everyday office or school work, a low-end graphics card or integrated graphics on a motherboard is economical and worthwhile. The more graphics work you do, the better the graphics card should be.

  Monitor. Decide ahead of time what type monitor you want, and the exact size. Although 15" monitors are very common, for everyday office or school work at least a 17" monitor is recommended. If you spend a lot of time on the computer, you work with a lot of files at one time, or your work is heavily graphics-based, then a larger screen will be a big help.

• Shop Around - There is no better way to get what you need at a good price than to price identically configured systems. That should be your focus. Here are a few things you should always look for:

  A Money-Back Guarantee
  Understand their return policy. After all, you might change your mind. Never buy a computer or any other important purchase without a full money-back guarantee. If you're buying a laptop, pay special attention to the return period. Some sellers now have a very short return period.

  Restocking Charges
  Make sure the store has no "restocking fee" for returned merchandise. If the store has a fee, I suggest you shop elsewhere.

  Warranty
  Make sure you get a one-year warranty as a minimum for all parts and labor on all components. (Longer periods are better, but only if there’s NO extra charge.)

  Extended Warranty
  Some retail stores will push hard to get buyers to pay extra for an extended warranty. Such warranty's are very profitable to the store because they are usually never used. If something goes wrong with a new computer, it will almost always show up soon after purchase- while it's still under the original one-year warranty. Extended warranty's are almost never a good idea.

  There is an exception to this rule. You might wish to consider an extended warranty if you plan to carry your laptop around with you, or of if you plan to do a lot of travelling with your laptop. But only consider an extended warranty if you have one of the more expensive laptop models.

  Technical Support
  If you don't have a friend or relative that knows computers and is willing to help you, you will want good tech support.

• Pay by Credit Card - Never pay for a major purchase by cash or check. Should you have trouble with your purchase, you'll be glad you paid by credit card.

  Unfortunately, computer products don't always come in working order. Sometimes an order may not arrive, or will arrive damaged, or with parts missing. You never know if the seller will be interested in your complaint. Sadly, not all manufacturers and merchants always act in good faith.

  If they won't listen to reason, the last recourse is your credit card company. In the USA, you have 60 days after a purchase to make a complaint. The credit card company will often look into the matter for you. They are not obligated to do so, but many disapprove of poor business conduct. After they investigate, they will make a judgment about the merchant. If they side with you, a "charge-back" will be issued and you'll get your money back when the defective, late, or otherwise unsatisfactory product is returned to the merchant.

Buying in Retail Stores

When visiting a computer retail store, the temptation to walk out with a PC can be hard to resist. After all, if the computer you want is in stock, you can take it home and immediately set it up.

But purchasing from a retail store has its negative aspects. Here we discuss two aspects: sales people and retail store prices.

Those Pesky Sales People

It can be difficult, but you need to retain objectivity while dealing with, shall we say, overly enthusiastic sales staff. In any computer sales environment, truth and fiction have a way of becoming blurred. Fiction is inadvertently created because far too often, sales people often lack a solid technical understanding of computers. So take what you're told with a grain of salt.

There's no question that you put yourself at the mercy of someone you hardly know when you depend on that person to help you with your computer selection. Some sales people are very knowledgeable and will gladly help you, but most are interested in only one thing- to sell you ANY computer.

Sales people are, of course, trained to close sales. But such pressure tactics are manipulative and should not be tolerated. If at any time you feel undue pressure from a salesperson, leave the store and look elsewhere.

Remember, if you get talked into something you later regret, it is your fault.

Online Prices - Offline Prices

Is there a difference in price between online stores and offline retail stores?

Oh, yes. There has to be. An offline retail store differs from any online store in one huge way. The retailer must buy, lease, and maintain a "real" retail store located in an expensive shopping plaza or mall. After they buy or lease the store, the retailer must decorate the store and have expensive computer displays. They have to pay much higher salaries to hire good sales staff, rather than people to simply accept orders by phone. Insurance and even the customer parking lot all costs extra money the online store never has to worry about and factor into their prices. So, prices must be higher at retail stores.

If you're on a tight budget, always looks around for a better deal. IF you just look at one place, chances are good that you'll pay more for what you get. You need to "shop around".

Online, you will find every computer that's available, including rebates, factory refurbished, and closeout sales at liquidators. So online you'll find a wider choice than any retail store and always at a better price. Remember, online you have everything.

Keep in mind that many people order new computers online everyday. If you really like a computer you see at an online store, you'll find it easy, quick, and very safe to order it online.

Good luck in your search for your perfect computer.

In the next part, we discuss plugging into the Internet, including dial-up, DSL, cable, and satellite dish. That's followed by some important Last Thoughts.

[ Part 8: Connecting to the Internet ]