| > | | | | Flash drives can also be found sometimes built into the |
| This article will help the average consumer avoid the | | | | front of the PC, for instant access to your flash media. |
| common mistakes when buying a new PC and make | | | | These are very handy and should be considered |
| sure they get everything they need. A computer is | | | | especially if you have a digital camera. |
| perhaps the most important part of our daily lives. We | | | | - Another very important aspect of your PC is CD |
| see it everywhere from our homes to the places we | | | | DVD drives and burners. A DVD burner is what I |
| work. Since it is used so much in our lives, we want to | | | | recommend for everyone, since the price is basically |
| make sure that a PC we purchase is a good | | | | the same as a CD burner, but it will also play |
| computer that will be able to do everything we want it | | | | DVD’s and regular CD’s, plus be able to |
| to, and last a long time. | | | | burn DVD’s and regular CD’s! Two |
| But purchasing a new computer is not as easy as you | | | | types of burners for the price of one!- Your |
| might think it is. Sure you could shell out lots of money | | | | computer’s mouse is how you interact with |
| and buy a brand PC, but sometimes you are spending | | | | your PC. The latest mouse technology available is the |
| money on speed and features you don’t even | | | | optical mouse, which uses a laser light instead of a |
| need. They also come with offers and built in software | | | | mouse ball. Old fashioned mouse balls got stuck |
| that they dangle in front of you to stay ahead in the | | | | and were hard to use sometimes, with an optical |
| business. You can also custom build your own | | | | mouse that problem is no more. |
| computer, but is it really going to be cheaper then if | | | | - Perhaps the most important aspect of a computer is |
| you bought a brand PC with the same features? | | | | the monitor. No longer are we in the realm of old |
| Since I have been using, and buying computers, for the | | | | fashioned CRT monitors. The LCD monitor is now |
| past 12 years I know exactly what you need to look | | | | readily available when you purchase your new |
| for when buying a fully assembled desktop computer. | | | | computer, and in my opinion should be required. LCD |
| Use my tips below and you will save time and money. | | | | monitors are so vivid and crystal clear that you will |
| - You need to know what hardware you will need. If | | | | never want to go back to an old CRT monitor. LCD |
| you don’t know, talk to someone who has | | | | monitor’s also consume less power and take up |
| knowledge of computers, and tell them what you will | | | | less space, plus they come on much faster. |
| be using the PC for. They should know what you will | | | | - Almost as important as the monitor, is the sound |
| need. Once you know what you should get, then look | | | | system and speakers. Good sound on your computer |
| for a computer that meets those needs. | | | | can really make a difference, especially if you play a |
| - Make sure the store you buy your new computer | | | | lot of games and listen to a lot of music and watch |
| from has great service and are willing to stick by their | | | | movies. Desktop speakers have gone down |
| computer. | | | | significantly in price and in combination with a good |
| - If you will be using the computer for video games or | | | | sound card your experience will be complete. I |
| other graphic related applications, you need to have a | | | | recommend a sound card from Creative called |
| good graphics card. Most motherboards come with a | | | | Sound blaster Audigy. |
| built in graphics card, but usually that is not suitable for | | | | - Your operating system is a very important factor of |
| high end graphic demands. Purchasing a nice ATI or | | | | how well you will love or hate your new PC. I have |
| NVIDIA graphics card would be a good idea if you plan | | | | always used Windows, so I recommend Windows XP, |
| on using the PC for graphic related applications. There | | | | or in the future, Windows Long Horn. There are of |
| is a slot available to slide your new graphics card in if | | | | course other choices like Linux, and you could go for a |
| you choose to buy a separate one. | | | | Mac too. Just make sure you have experience with |
| - The computer and hardware parts should have a | | | | the operating system that you choose. |
| warranty. Most hardware comes with long and good | | | | - Last but not least is your printer. If you are a photo |
| warranties, but just to make sure you might want to | | | | hound, and use a digital camera a lot, then you |
| purchase a warranty from the store that you are | | | | definitely want a high quality printer that can print out all |
| buying the PC from. This way if something goes | | | | of your photos. Another good idea to consider is an all |
| wrong a few years down the road, they still have to | | | | in one printer that can scan, copy, and print with just |
| fix it or replace it!- The next thing you need to consider | | | | one machine. |
| is the computers case. A good computer case should | | | | That is all of my advice for you when buying a new |
| have USB slots available on the front of it, for easy | | | | desktop computer. Follow those steps and maintain |
| access, and in the back. It should also have a powerful | | | | your computer properly, and it will last longer and |
| power supply (for additional parts) and at least 1 fan in | | | | function better. |
| front of the motherboard to keep the computer cool. | | | | |