How to Choose a New Computer
Is your current computer outdated? Is it sluggish and apt to crash in the middle of important projects? Are you just tired of carrying around a gigantic laptop? Then it looks like it could be time to buy a new machine, and this list should help you choose a new computer.
Step One: The first step to choosing a new computer is deciding if that is what you really need. Sometimes you can save money and time by upgrading your current computer. This can be as simple as running clean up software or as intense as replacing the hard drive and upgrading the RAM. However, if the computer is too far gone for overhauling or you want a computer optimized for a new operating system it is time to move on to step two.
Step Two: When you set out to chose a new computer one of the first issues to address is your budget. A low-end laptop (a ‘netbook’) can cost as little as $300 or a top end laptop can go for well over $2,500. Desktops have about the same base price but the top end can go even higher. Your budget should be kept in mind for the remainder of the steps as a rough guide to help you choose a new computer.
Step Three: The second step to getting a new computer is deciding what operating system you want to run. Five years ago, this was hardly a consideration because ninety percent of all computers ran Windows, but now Apple is a much stronger contender in the personal computer market. Both Windows and Apple offer strong running systems and each has its own advantages. Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, all the others) Runs equally well on both Windows and Apple systems. The catch to purchasing an Apple system is usually the cost involved as Apple systems are considerably more expensive than comparable PCs.
Step Four: After you know what operating system you want to start running it is time to decide what type of computer you want to buy, Laptop or Desktop? Again, both have pros and cons. Laptops are portable and easy to take wherever you need it to be but typically cut corners in regards to performance to achieve this. Desktops on the other hand are difficult to lug around but can be easily upgraded for additional memory space and RAM space. This can also make desktops less expensive as you can purchase one with very basic capabilities and gradually upgrade the system over a period of time. However you should always ask about how upgradeable a system is as an all in one desktop (such as an iMac or an HP TouchSmart) is less flexible in these regards than a tower desktop.
The final step is to go out and purchase your new computer.
