Computer buying guide

Buying a computer is becoming harder and harder.  There are so many options flooding the market, where do you start?  As a general guideline, these are the options currently available to consumers:

Desktop Computer – separate components - box containing brain and storage, monitor to display data/images, keyboard and mouse for operation purposes, speakers if not built in to monitor.

All-in-One Computer – a computer which is housed within the monitor and has separate keyboard and mouse.

Notebook Computer – portable computer which consists of two parts which fold together to create a secure portable device - computer components are housed under the keyboard and mouse and a monitor is attached.

Tablet – compact notebook computer equipped with a stylus and or a touchscreen

Now you know your options you need to ask yourself some questions:

1. What do you want to use the computer for?
2. Is the computer for business or personal use?
3. Does it need to be portable?
4. Do you need to run specific programs/software?
5. How often will you be using it? 
6. Do you need to connect to the internet?
7. Do you have a price limitation?

These are just a few questions you need to ask yourself in preparation to finding the right computer for you.  Once you are armed with these answers then you can begin your quest to buy what you need.

You can chose from many brands and models and can purchase computers online, at retail stores or have one custom made.  In my experience too many customers we see these days are getting caught up in the pricing war that is happening online and in major retail outlets.  Don't think that cheapest is necessarily the best and will do the job, you may be disappointed with your purchase in 6 months time as its not providing the long term functions you required.

Technology is always changing and faster and better components are being added to computers these days.  In general the IT industry releases new model notebooks every 3 – 6 months.  The core component of a computer is generally updated every 12 months, bit like the motor vehicle industry really, always releasing new models to keep up with the consumer demands.

To make sure that you are purchasing what you really need we recommend that you go to  your local computer specialist. They have experienced what is good and bad and what would best suit your needs in today's current market.