| The CRYPT Mag |
Purchasing a computer can be tricky. If you buy one that just has the minimum specs you need, you may end up with a computer that fails to satisfy your needs for very long. If you buy one with the maximum available, you may be spending a lot of money for things you will never have a need for.
Here are some things you should look into before purchasing.
What are you going to use the computer for? You should know what you need in a computer before you even go to the store. Have an idea of what it will be used for; if you don't, you may be persuaded into buying something with features that you will never really need.
If all you are looking for is a simple computer for Internet usage and other basic tasks, prepare yourself to find a machine that fits into that category. For a student just starting out in college, you will probably want to get a very high end computer the more you buy now, the longer it will last in terms of what it will be able to do.
How much do you want to spend? Once you establish your needs, start looking for deals. Computers may not be as expensive as you think. It is not unusual to find a brand new laptop for under £600. However, while this would be sufficient for someone sending email, writing a few letters and surfing the Internet, for the college student hoping to get 4 years out of the unit, that might not be the best choice.
Rebates - Many of the deals that you find will have rebates. It usually takes several weeks before you get the money, so plan on that. Read the rebate information very carefully. Before you buy, make sure that you understand the terms of the rebate completely.
Should I get a Pentium or Celeron processor? Pentium processors are much faster. Celeron processors are not bad for simple use, but if the user will be playing the latest graphics intensive games or using several programs at a time, that is not the choice to make. Celerons are cheaper for a reason. Take a look at the AMD Athlon processor; it is not a bad alternative to the Pentium and will save you some money.
How important is the screen? You are going to be look at the screen a lot; a college student will spend most of the day using the computer and staring at the screen. Check to see if it looks good enough for you. On a laptop, which will be used in many positions, check the visibility from different angles.
Are you comfortable with the keyboard? Do not expect to get a keyboard as good as the one on your desktop. However, the keyboards in laptops range from great to awful. Make sure you look at and try out the keyboard very well.
Do you like the pointing device? Try out the pointing device or touchpad to make sure it is comfortable for you.
How good is the battery? Find out what kind of battery life you can expect from the computer. There's nothing more annoying than a laptop battery that drains out too quickly.
Is the laptop a good size for you? A laptop that is too big and heavy to carry around will not be very useful.
Understand the warranty. Laptops are carried around - things happen. Will you be able to get it fixed under a warranty arrangement? You can usually purchase extended warranties; would it be worth it to you? What does the warranty cover?
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