This article is addressed to those of you who don't
have one
(or two) yet. Let's face it, computers are becoming a common
element in all of our lives. Yes, they are a bit of a challenge
to learn how to use, at first, but the sooner you start the
process, the more advanced you will be in the future. We are
already approaching a "haves and have-nots" type of culture,
made all the more evident by the huge popularity of the Internet.
Most people couldn't even imagine life without a telephone in
the house. Pretty soon, such will be the case for computers.
How to buy a computer:
First of all, this is not meant to be an
endorsement for any particular product, but since there is
nothing else quite like it on the market, I'll tell you about an
absolute must have when shopping for a computer.
"The Computer Shopper" is a super cool source of all the
latest info. It is usually more than an inch and a half thick,
comes out every month, and is available at magazine stands
all over for 5 bucks, or so. Well worth it! Every reasonably sized
computer vendor advertises in it, so, since they're all right
there in the same magazine, prices are fiercely competitive.
Once you've browsed through the pages to find the
system of
your dreams, or your budget, which ever comes first, take this
page to your local Akron, Canton, or where ever computer
builder, and see what he or she can do for you in the same
price range. It's always a good idea to stimulate the local
economy, and you might really appreciate the fact that you can
walk right back in there with your computer if (when) something
goes wrong with it. Yes, you might pay a few percent more for it
and pay Ohio state sales tax too, but hey, that's how it goes.
Another nice thing is that you can get exactly the individual
parts you want, and not just some pre-picked package deal.
Name brands don't mean a thing. Don't make that mistake.
All IBM compatible PCs should have an Intel microprocessor
in them. That's about all you need to worry about.
Things to consider:
Don't skimp on the monitor. Monitor
technology is already fairly advanced, and there are some really
beautiful ones out there. A great monitor won't go out of date for
a long time, even if the rest of your system does. It's your
window to the computer, so make it look good. A crummy monitor
will give you a headache, and be very hard to read from.
Computer monitors are way, way more sophisticated than
television. That's why they cost so much more, for a screen that
is comparably much smaller than the average boob tube.
Memory is bouncing around in price right now, but
for the most
part, it's very cheap, at the moment. The more you get, the
better. There are software packages coming out now that won't
even run unless you've got about four to eights times as much
RAM as what was considered an average amount just three or
four years ago.
It's probably a better idea to save up your money,
and buy with
cash, rather than finance a computer. I'd hate the feeling of
making my last payment on a computer that is two years behind
the current technology. All the while you are saving your money,
the vendors are offering you more and more for the same price.
Computer technology is a torrent river. Once you
jump into it,
you are quickly washed down stream. Meaning, six months
after you buy the thing, you'll likely turn around and see the
same or better for three fourths of the price. Just do like I did.
Shop for a while. Learn the buzz words and the numbers games.
Pick your system, and don't look anymore!
Pretty soon, you'll be cruisin' all around the
world with your
fingers on the keys, sittin' right at home. It's too much fun.
You'll love it.
|
