Buying a new computer.

For the large part buying a brand new computer can be a pretty daunting task; especially if you are not technically minded or heavily into the computer world or internet.
Nonetheless it would be good to know that you get reasonable value for money and that your new system will last and perform 'trouble free' for an acceptable period of time.

Here's a checklist to help you get things right when purchasing a new computer.

• Set your budget. Decide how much you are going to spend (but try and be flexible)
• Decide what are you going to use the computer for. Have a rough idea about what you may be using your computer for in the near future, this will give the salesman/technician a better idea of what components you need built into your system.
• Future Proofing. There is no need to have all the latest components in your system, 'unless of course you have too much cash', but it is wise to have a computer with decent hardware specifications so you won't need to replace the system or upgrade components in three or six months time.
• Performance balancing. This is probably the most overlooked aspect of buying a new computer, all components need to be balanced in their performance. There is no use having the latest and greatest Processor if you don't have enough memory to support it.
• Software bundle and sales support. Usually when you buy a new computer there is not all that much software pre-installed, and little if any after sales support. If you are not that tech savvy, shop around and see if you can get your computer setup at your home 'internet ready', complete with internet security software as part of the package.
• Quality components. Look to purchase a computer with quality components, I have a list of preferred computer component brands on my site. www.bluefox.net.au
• System backup. Is there an operating system backup? Having a backup or 'image file' which you can access with a dvd disk is much more desirable than carting your computer to a computer workshop, waiting a week or even two and spending $200 to have your Vista installation re-installed due a virus attack.
• Personal folder configuration. If for some ungodly reason your computer goes down, there is a very simple technique to ensure you don't lose any of your precious files. Though this technique needs to be performed 'before the fact'. Unfortunately this simple technique is rarely performed on newly purchased computers. (Visit this blog again soon for how to protect your personal files from a system wide crash!)
• Shop around. Remember to shop around and remember not all computers a created equal.
  

Well that's pretty much it in a nutshell, remember the computer retail market is highly competitive at the moment; so use it to your advantage. Just try and familiarize yourself with what makes a quality computer system; too many computer retailers these days look to increase profit margins by using 'black and gold' low quality components!

Anyway I hope I have been helpful.

John Salamon

'Quality Computers!'

Buying a new computer.