| For the large part buying a brand new computer can | | | | support. If you are not that tech savvy, shop around |
| be a pretty daunting task; especially if you are not | | | | and see if you can get your computer setup at your |
| technically minded or heavily into the computer world | | | | home 'internet ready', complete with internet security |
| or internet. | | | | software as part of the package. |
| Nonetheless it would be good to know that you get | | | | - Quality components. Look to purchase a computer |
| reasonable value for money and that your new | | | | with quality components, I have a list of preferred |
| system will last and perform 'trouble free' for an | | | | computer component brands on my site. |
| acceptable period of time. | | | | - System backup. Is there an operating system |
| Here's a checklist to help you get things right when | | | | backup? Having a backup or 'image file' which you can |
| purchasing a new computer. | | | | access with a DVD disk is much more desirable than |
| - Set your budget. Decide how much you are going to | | | | carting your computer to a computer workshop, |
| spend (but try and be flexible) | | | | waiting a week or even two and spending $200 to |
| - Decide what you are going to use the computer for. | | | | have your Vista installation re-installed due a virus |
| Have a rough idea about what you may be using your | | | | attack. |
| computer for in the near future; this will give the | | | | - Personal folder configuration. If for some ungodly |
| salesman/technician a better idea of what | | | | reason your computer goes down, there is a very |
| components you need built into your system. | | | | simple technique to ensure you don't lose any of your |
| - Future Proofing. There is no need to have all the | | | | precious files, though this technique needs to be |
| latest components in your system, 'unless of course | | | | performed 'before the fact'. Unfortunately this simple |
| you have too much cash', but it is wise to have a | | | | technique is rarely performed on newly purchased |
| computer with decent hardware specifications so you | | | | computers. (Visit this blog again soon for how to |
| won't need to replace the system or upgrade | | | | protect your personal files from a system wide crash!) |
| components in three or six months time. | | | | - Shop around. Remember to shop around and |
| - Performance balancing. This is probably the most | | | | remember not all computers a created equal. |
| overlooked aspect of buying a new computer; all | | | | Well that's pretty much it in a nutshell; remember the |
| components need to be balanced in their performance. | | | | computer retail market is highly competitive at the |
| There is no use having the latest and greatest | | | | moment; so use it to your advantage. Just try and |
| Processor if you don't have enough memory to | | | | familiarize yourself with what makes a quality |
| support it. | | | | computer system; too many computer retailers these |
| - Software bundle and sales support. Usually when | | | | days look to increase profit margins by using 'black |
| you buy a new computer there is not all that much | | | | and gold' low quality components! |
| software pre-installed, and little if any after sales | | | | |