Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Choosing the Type of Computer Hardware
• Part 2 of 4: Choosing the Right Filling
• Part 3 of 4: Selecting Optional Equipment
• Part 4 of 4: Assessing Your Own Financial Capabilities
• Tips

Really worried about buying a new computer? Do not worry! With a thoughtful approach to choosing such a device, you can easily find what suits your needs. In fact, it all boils down to choosing the right type of computer equipment, understanding the principles of its internal components, determining the additional devices you need and taking into account your own financial capabilities, into which the perfect computer for you should fit.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Choosing the Type of Computer Hardware

1. 1 Consider purchasing a desktop computer. To make it easier for you to decide, make a list of tasks for which you need a computer. To access the Internet, work with texts and spreadsheets (basic computer use), you need a computer that is not as powerful as for processing audio or video. If you plan on tackling many tasks, check all of them. Following are the different types of desktop computers.
   • Full-size computers are not that expensive, they are easy to repair and upgrade, and there is a wide range of components available for them. Their main disadvantage is that they take up a lot of space.
   • Monoblocks simultaneously combine both the system unit and the monitor, while taking up a minimum of space. On the other hand, they are very expensive and difficult to repair and upgrade.
   • Gaming computers are very expensive, large, and designed for serious gamers. They are equipped with fast processors, a large amount of RAM, high-quality sound and video cards.
2. 2 For basic use, opt for the Chromebook line of laptops. They are relatively cheap, small in size and light in weight. If you work mainly with text and spreadsheet editors, then such a laptop will be a good choice. Its main drawback is its limited hard disk space and limited RAM. If you purchase this device, you will need constant access to cloud storage.
3. 3 Buy a complete laptop to carry around for a variety of tasks. Modern laptops are equipped with fast processors and large enough hard drives for storing information. Smaller models are lighter and still offer certain advantages. Larger laptops, however, have larger and more eye-friendly displays.They also tend to be more powerful.
4. 4 Choose your tablet for maximum portability. Tablets are very lightweight and can be used in much the same way as laptops. Their battery can work autonomously for 4-13 hours. On the other hand, if you need to perform any productive work on such a device, you will need to additionally purchase a keyboard for it.
5. 5 Check out customer reviews. If you liked the computer in terms of its characteristics and meets your needs, study customer reviews on its work. Ask friends, family, and trusted electronics store consultants who you can trust. Read reviews and reviews for this computer and do your own research on the information available. After all, you don't want to buy a useless thing that only looks cool on the outside. SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Jeremy Mercer

   
   
   Computer Specialist Jeremy Mercer is a manager and chief technician at MacPro-LA computer repair company in Los Angeles, California. He has over 10 years of experience in electronics repair, as well as in computer stores (PC and Mac).

   Jeremy Mercer
   Computer Specialist

   Our expert agrees: “Before making a purchase, go online and visit the website of any store that sells these computers. See what kind of reviews people who bought this model give about this computer. "

Part 2 of 4: Choosing the Right Filling

1. 1 Select your hard drive. The main storage of information in a computer can be represented by a traditional hard disk drive with moving parts (HDD) or a solid-state hard disk drive (SSD). Solid state hard drives are faster and use less power than conventional hard drives. They are also less prone to freeze when running a large number of programs at the same time. Takeaway: If you are going to multitask your computer, use an SSD.
   • If you can't decide between a hard drive and a solid state hard drive, you can use a hybrid option that combines both. With a hybrid hard drive, you get the speed of an SSD at a fraction of the cost. On the other hand, the classic hardware of a hard drive is fragile enough, and it can be damaged if you accidentally drop your computer.
   • Optical drives such as CD and DVD players are becoming less popular. If you can't find a computer with a built-in disc drive, buy an external drive that can be connected via a USB cable.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Jeremy Mercer

   
   
   Computer Specialist Jeremy Mercer is a manager and chief technician at MacPro-LA computer repair company in Los Angeles, California. He has over 10 years of experience in electronics repair, as well as in computer stores (PC and Mac).

   Jeremy Mercer
   Computer Specialist

   Think about how you will use your computer to figure out exactly what you need. If you need it primarily for simple daily tasks, a computer with 8 GB of RAM and an HDD or SSD of about 500 GB is usually sufficient. If you are going to process video or music, you will probably need 16GB of RAM and preferably an SSD.

2. 2 Find out how much hard drive you need to store information. The larger the disk size in gigabytes, the more information will fit on it. Currently, hard drives are mainly produced in sizes from 500 GB to 8 TB. Consider the tasks for which you need a computer. Ask yourself if these targets will change in the next few years.
   • For example, your initial goal might be to have enough storage space for text documents and spreadsheets. However, you may later decide to store music and videos on your computer.Your friends can start sending you pictures of their children with their latest achievements. These files require significantly more space than the others.
3. 3 Decide how much RAM you need. The more random access memory (RAM) a computer has, the more programs it can run simultaneously and the better its performance. If you only need a computer for basic tasks, stop at the standard 4 GB of RAM. On the other hand, if you are a serious gamer, use 16GB of RAM or more.
   • You can buy additional RAM later, if required. It is relatively inexpensive, regardless of the type of computer.
4. 4 Determine the processor speed you need. Pay attention to both the number of cores and the frequency in gigahertz (GHz). The cores determine the speed of the computer's computing processes, the frequency - the power consumption. For example, a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor will run faster than a 2.0 GHz single-core processor. Your processor selection needs will likely fall into one of four main categories. Each of them will present you with a wide range of processors to choose from.
   • For basic use (Internet surfing, working with e-mail, documents, other production tasks): Intel Celeron, Pentium, AMD A4, or AMD A6.
   • For base games (single-player): Intel Core i3, AMD A6, AMD A8.
   • For videos and base games: Intel Core i5, AMD A8, AMD A9, or AMD A10.
   • For video editing and serious gaming (online multiplayer interactive games): Intel Core i7, AMD A10, or AMD A12.
5. 5 Choose the operating system that's right for you. For most computers, the choice will be between Windows and macOS. Windows is cheaper, more widespread, and connects to the Xbox through that system. However, it is more susceptible to infection by malware, including classic viruses and ransomware viruses. MacOS is less susceptible to cyberattacks and usually updates automatically if you have high-speed internet. A consultation with the Genius Bar support department in any Apple Store is always free. Telephone consultations are free for the first 90 days after the purchase.
6. 6 Consider battery life. If you are buying a laptop, remember that the more power it consumes, the shorter the battery life will be. For example, a new battery for MacBook will last up to six hours when working with documents only. Using the internet and watching videos can reduce the battery life to two hours. Windows laptops typically have even shorter battery life between charges. Decreasing the screen brightness allows you to extend the battery life by a period from a few minutes to an hour.
   • Newer models of MacBooks, Ultrabooks, and tablets do not have removable batteries. On the other hand, older MacBooks have removable batteries. These batteries can last up to five years if handled carefully before they need to be replaced.

Part 3 of 4: Selecting Optional Equipment

1. 1 Choose the right monitor for you. If you are not buying a laptop or all-in-one computer, you will need a separate monitor. Currently, monitors operate on cathode ray tubes (CRT), liquid crystals (LCD) and light-emitting diodes (LED).
   • CRT monitors are the oldest technology used in older bulky televisions. These monitors themselves are not very expensive (if you can find them), but they are very expensive to repair. In addition, they are cumbersome and have already come out of the preferences of most computer users.
   • LCD monitors don't flicker as much as CRT monitors, which is a plus if you're suffering from headaches. In addition, they are lightweight and take up less space than CRT monitors. On the other hand, they are very expensive and the screen resolution may be distorted when the projector is wired.
   • LED monitors are the most environmentally friendly as they consume the least energy. Like LCD monitors, they are lightweight. However, their resolution is better than LCD. The only drawback is the high price.
2. 2 Determine the monitor or screen size you need. If you work with charts or spend several hours in front of the computer, give preference to a larger monitor. Choose a small monitor if you are often away from your computer and usually only work with texts on it. The larger the monitor or screen, the more information can be viewed on it and with a higher resolution.
   • In modern laptops, screens have a glossy finish, which makes it difficult to read information in the sun, outdoors or at home under bright lighting, unless the brightness of the screen is adjusted.
3. 3 Find out what kind of computer mouse you need. If you are buying a desktop computer, then you will definitely need a mouse. Some models of computer mice are wireless and connect with a USB transmitter. Others are connected to the system unit or monoblock with a cable. Modern mice are predominantly optical. They replace the old ball-type mice and use a red or invisible backlight instead of a ball, which gives them years of reliable performance.
4. 4 Think about graphics and sound. Discrete sound and video cards usually provide the best video and audio quality on desktop computers. Most of them have their own memory chips, and the more this memory, the better the performance. If you do decide to buy a high quality sound card and video card, be prepared to pay well for them.
5. 5 Think about connectors for connecting peripherals. Ask yourself how many external devices (including printer, scanner, external hard drives, etc.) you want to connect to your computer. Most computers have at least two USB ports, some have three or four. There are also other types of connectors:
   • HDMI and DVI for connecting to a TV;
   • VGA for connecting a monitor;
   • FireWire for a camcorder;
   • Ethernet port for wired connection to a modem (if you don't have a WiFi router).
6. 6 Buy an external hard drive. Nowadays, a simple typo in the address of the entered e-link can lead to a computer infection with malware. Don't put your own files at risk. Invest in an external hard drive. Even the most serious scientist storing gigabytes of data should be satisfied with a one terabyte backup external drive. Connect it with a cable to your computer via USB or FireWire. Then you can start backing up your files to an external drive.
   • If this is the first time you connect an external hard drive to your computer, then when connected, several pop-up windows with various prompts will appear. For example, on a Mac, you will see a pop-up asking if you want to sync files to disk using Time Machine backup. If you enable this option, the computer will automatically back up your files every time you connect an external drive.
7. 7 Consider purchasing an extended warranty. In most cases, brand new or refurbished computers come with a standard 12 month warranty. Whether to buy an extended warranty is up to you. Such a warranty may be appropriate when purchasing refurbished devices or if you have a tendency to spill drinks on electronics. It usually does not make sense to purchase an extended warranty if the computer is new, or if the cost of such a warranty is more than 20% of the cost of the computer.

Part 4 of 4: Assessing Your Own Financial Capabilities

1. 1 Determine your budget. Set a limit on what you are willing to spend. Don't be tempted to buy unnecessary software that you don't need. Usually a desktop computer without particularly outstanding parameters can be purchased for less than 30 thousand rubles, unless you require additional features of more expensive systems.Laptops are often more expensive than desktop computers with the same specifications, but many of them can also be purchased for less than 30 thousand rubles.
   • Typically, Apple computers are more expensive than Windows or Linux computers. Nevertheless, they are popular with users who are actively working with graphics. They are also less susceptible to malware infection.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Jeremy Mercer

   
   
   Computer Specialist Jeremy Mercer is a manager and chief technician at MacPro-LA computer repair company in Los Angeles, California. He has over 10 years of experience in electronics repair, as well as in computer stores (PC and Mac).

   Jeremy Mercer
   Computer Specialist

   To save money, consider which add-ons you really need. For example, if the presence of a touch screen is not so important for you, choose a laptop without one, as the touch screen makes the device more expensive.

2. 2 Check out the “product line update” cycles by computer manufacturers. Collect information on how often computer manufacturers release new product models. At the same time, prices for models of the previous (outdated) generation usually drop noticeably. If you don't care about advanced technology, consider purchasing older models.
   • Different manufacturers have different terms for updating their products. Some of them release new models throughout the year and remove old ones from production. Nevertheless, most often, releases of updated lines fall on the following time:
     • the beginning of the school year (from June to September);
     • New Year's Eve period for purchasing gifts (October-December);
     • spring (February-April).
3. 3 Consider purchasing a refurbished computer. Only do this if you have a really tense money situation. Refurbished computers cost significantly less (often 20% less) than new ones and work just as well. In fact, many refurbished computers have never even been used. However, they should only be purchased from reputable stores such as the Apple Store, official Dell, HP, Sony stores, and so on. Be sure to make sure that the refurbished item you are purchasing has at least a year of warranty.
4. 4 Find out about possible discounts. Sometimes stores can arrange discounts for certain categories of customers. For example, if you are a student, teacher, or retired, it is possible that such a promotion will reduce the retail price of a computer by 5-10%. However, you will have to prove the appropriate status (show student ID, pass or retirement ID).
5. 5 Find out about the possibility of buying by installments. When you buy a product in installments, you first pay a down payment for it (about 10%), and then pay the remaining cost in monthly installments until the debt is paid in full. Ask about the interest rate applied for the installment plan and the implementation of this procedure through third parties (banks). Be sure to carefully read what is written in the small print in the contract before signing it.

Tips

• If you plan to upgrade your computer later, be sure to buy a computer that is easy to do with it. In other words, it should be easy to open and have additional slots, for example, for RAM.
• Purchasing a computer with capabilities beyond your current needs will allow you to enjoy your device longer before it needs an upgrade or replacement. If possible, purchase a computer with some amount of RAM. Regardless of the OS you are using (Windows or Mac), your computer will gradually slow down. Even if you rarely multitask, the extra RAM won't be wasted in the future.