Buying the Perfect Computer

So you have finally decided it's time for a change. Regardless of what advice you follow that old work horse of a desktop computer you have has outlived its usefulness with slow loading applications and a continuous rise in operation noise.

Looking for that Perfect Computer can be about as much fun as buying a new car and about as frustrating also when sorting through the various brands while trying to choose that"bells and whistles" best meet your needs. Apart from all that trying to return something that's so large can be both inconvenient and very tricky to do. So making the right choice the very first time is the smart path of choice.

For starters you will need to determine what you would like to do with your PC. Are you into the video game scene or are you someone who likes to just surf the net and sometimes do some book keeping with simple word processing program?

If you are into video games you are likely to need a machine that could handle the high level of graphics and superior sound quality. On the other hand if you are not into all that high heeled materials you can probably get by with a more affordable system. Although, if you would like to remain on the safe side I would suggest going with something more"high-end" so that you do not need to spend another big chunk of change to upgrade the machine you just bought.

There are two basic routes you can take when buying a new computer.

1) Buy a"Brand Name" Computer

2) Buy a"Clone" Computer

A"BRAND-NAME" computer is one that is produced by a company that's recognizable by name.

Some Advantages/Disadvantages of "Brand-Name" computers include:

Advantages:

* Customer Support- If you're experiencing issues with your computer you'll have the choice to speak to a representative of the company that you bought the PC from to get help in solving your issue. Customer care is most likely the best reason to purchase a brand-name computer.

* Warranty- With a warranty is always nice as it acts as a kind of security blanket for you. In case a function in your computer should fail you should be able to have the thing fixed at no charge as long as the warranty hasn't expired.

Read and understand a firm's warranty policy BEFORE you buy a computer from them. This way you will have a fantastic comprehension of the procedures to follow if a problem should arise.

* Pre-installed Software- Many companies will include software packages which are all set up and ready to go for you on your PC. Although, a drawback of purchasing a brand-name computer with applications pre-installed is that you generally wind up with more than matches your needs and usually just results with the squandering of space on your storage device.

* Added Support- Many brand-name computer companies are also able to offer you web sites which can provide you with current software updates, user manuals, or basic troubleshooting help.

Disadvantages:

* The use of Proprietary components - the expression Proprietary refers to products which are unique to a single company and that company only. If a part was to malfunction on your pc after guarantee and you had to replace it you couldn't just go to your neighborhood computer store and buy any old part even though it had been intended for the identical function as the product that failed. You would be forced to purchase the exact same thing that came from the computer or else the computer will most likely cease to function properly. Having to purchase proprietary parts usually requires the necessity to place an order so you will have to await the part to arrive or you will have to send your computer into the business or an authorized dealer of the company for repairs. Individuals with a home based business would probably not be too satisfied with that situation in any respect.

* Integrated/On-board components - In the computer world when you hear the term incorporated or on-board it means that a specific part like the modem or audio port where you plug in your speakers, is built or portion of the computer main board (Also referred to as the Motherboard). This means that if one of these things should fail, you can not simply remove them from the computer and replace them with a brand new part. They are usually soldered directly to the main board and are stuck there. Although, some computers do provide a means to disable a malfunctioning device that will make it possible for you to set up your own store bought device to take the place of the broken part. From a computer technicians standpoint this isn't always easy to accomplish. It simply depends on what brand of computer you currently have. Meaning some are easier to work on than others.

A"CLONE" computer is a clone or a copy of its brand-name counterpart with the exception that rather than company specific or proprietary parts, the items used to create a clone computer are from a number of different companies instead of one.

Let us say that if you should attend a local company that builds"clone" computers, and you tell them exactly what you want, chances are they do not use parts that are specific to only that type of computer such as the brand-name computer companies do.

This is a fantastic thing since it means they will most likely use components which are interchangeable with several distinct brands and are easy to find if needed.

Some Advantages/Disadvantages of "Clone" computers include:

Advantages:

* Price - compared to brand-name computers that the clone will usually be easier on your pocket book when purchasing one with similar features as its brand-name counterpart. This is most likely because of the money that's saved by not supplying the high-end customer support. Although, that might not be the sole reason for the reduced prices.

* Easily Available Replacement Parts- Since the clone computer was built with components that aren't any 1 company specific, you can purchase parts for the clone computer which may be used even when the brand is different from the one which was in the computer once you originally purchased it. Either consult the manual that should have came with your computer or get support from a knowledgeable friend or repair person.

Disadvantages:

* Warranties- Unless you buy a service plan you will usually not have as an attractive warranty as you would using a brand-name computer firm. Anything you do just be certain that you understand how long the guarantee is for and as to what sort of repairs the warranty covers before you make the purchase.

* Client Support- With brand-name computer firms you're usually supplied with a 24-hour toll free number which you can call if you have questions or issues with your PC. Clone computers are more than likely not going to have a 24-hour support service, but instead you'll be forced to only have the ability to call during regular business hours. Additionally, it's probably that there won't be any 1 website which you can go to so as to learn information concerning troubleshooting questions you might have. For service it might be required to take the computer back to the shop that you purchased it at or you might need to do a little research about the individual parts that went into the computer and see the manufacturer's website for troubleshooting tips.

Finally, if all else fails you can certainly take what you've learned from this report and being that you know exactly what you need today, but do not know where to go and get that"Perfect Computer", the best resource at your disposal are the most men and woman that work at the local electronics shop.