| OK, so Santa did not see fit to leave you a shiny new | | | | campus bookstore, or on the manufacturer's Web site. |
| PC way back at last Christmas. How rude. Oh well,... | | | | Look online for savings or free upgrade coupons. |
| maybe next year. Now you may be thinking of your | | | | Before going for the refurbished unit, here are a few |
| options. Should you buy a new computer? Or a | | | | additional points to keep in mind: |
| refurbished model? | | | | 1. Shop around and get an idea of the cost of a new, |
| Generally, I do not think buying a used computer is a | | | | similar computer first. Then make sure you get a big |
| good idea. Often, you are buying someone else's | | | | discount on that used model. Apple sells refurbished |
| problems. A refurbished machine is supposed to be | | | | laptops on its site here: Dell and Hewlett-Packard do |
| restored to like-new condition, but you have no way to | | | | the same; |
| tell if this is really so. | | | | 2. Make sure you get a written warranty, and read it |
| Second-hand laptops can be even more problematic. | | | | carefully BEFORE shelling out your cash; |
| Repair costs are usually higher than with desktop | | | | 3. Check to see if you are getting the manual, other |
| models to begin with, because everything is so packed | | | | documents and especially the installation CD and the |
| together in a small space, making it harder to work on. | | | | original CDs for the other applications on the computer; |
| Also, laptops by their nature get moved, bumped and | | | | 4. Insist on using the computer for perhaps an hour, at |
| jolted around quite a bit. | | | | least, to do different tasks (unless of course you are |
| Many people buy too much computer for their needs. | | | | buying online). Surf the Web, check your email, etc. |
| If money is tight, look for a new budget machine. | | | | This will provide you with some assurance that it |
| Watch for sales. Be aware, though, that these low-end | | | | basically works; |
| computers can be expensive or impossible to upgrade, | | | | 5. Be extra cautious if buying at online auctions. Check |
| may have a limited number of ports, etc. | | | | the seller's reputation carefully. |
| Another possibility to save money is to keep your old | | | | Refurbished machines are not necessarily of poor |
| monitor and printer, if they still work. Just buy the new | | | | quality. Be patient, be careful, and you can find yourself |
| computer itself. Are you buying for a student? You | | | | a good machine that will last for years. |
| might find a juicy discount on a new machine at the | | | | |