So, You wanna buy a new computer?

Well, the most important thing whether you are buying a laptop or a desktop is what kind of service am I going to get after the purchase. I will tell you now I would easily pay up to $100 more for any computer if I know that I am going to be taken care of after the primary purchase. Especially, if I am a person that knows little about computers to start with. The easiest ways to find this out is to ask around. What experiences have your friends and family had with different places? If you have a computer savvy person in the family ask them where you should buy from not where they would buy from. A tech savvy person does not need the support you will need.

The next important thing to discern is what kind of user you are. Do you need the computer for work? Are you and internet user? Are you a gamer? What kind of games do you play? What software do you need? Do you need to be portable? Most people today are just basic internet users. You do not need a high end system to do this. Almost every new computer is faster than the internet. But, you do want a computer that will get you through the next 3-5 years. My general suggestion to all people is to get a Intel i3 or AMD AthlonII X4. The intel being the superior and generally more expensive of the two. You will notice a lot of computers that have old processors in them. BEWARE!!! This is the main reason I suggest Intel over AMD...simple new i3, i5, and i7. AMD has a bad habit of overnaming their processors which just makes it confusing to people that do not undertstand these things. If you want more speed and functionality, i.e you photo, music and/or video edit, you should at least get an i5. If you are a high end gamer( first person shooters, racing games, simulators, etc.) you should buy a i7.

Laptop vs Desktop: If you need portability get a laptop. If you want speed get a desktop. The processors in laptops and desktops are not the same. Desktops can disperse heat better so they can put a much faster processor in them. You will notice that laptop intel chip generally have a M at the end (ie. i3 370M). The M is for mobile, these processor do not clock as fast as the ones in a desktop. Also, laptop have batteries, and are not meant to be plugged in all the time. This is called trickle charging and is not good for the battery on a continuous basis. Now if you need the portabilty then definitely get a laptop. Even though the processor are not as fast laptop still have the same functionality as a desktop. You can even attach a larger monitor to them if the size of the screen is an issue with you. High end gamers should stick with desktops unless they really need the portability.

I have often heard that I am not in business so I don't need a fast computer. Actually, that is the total opposite. The average business person does not need a fast computer, so, I would still suggest and i3 for them as well. To do office applications, accounting software, etc. you do not need a high end computer. A computer uses more power to play a MP3 than that. There are special cases if the business is more graphic oriented of course, then the i5 or i7 may be needed.

The gamer! Everything on your computer is important. Starting with the motherboard. You can get a substantial increase in performance solely because of your motherboard. So if you are buying, do not buy the cheapest with the best stats. This generally means that the cheated on your motherboard. If you are buying namebrand stick with the better ones and buy it all together. Do not buy a namebrand computer and add a really good video card, unless you also plan on buying a really good power supply. Name brand computers are great priced but they are generally built with limited upgradability. The video card is the second most important thing for a gaming system. And the next would of course be the processor. Sound cards are only important if you are going to do the surround sound thing. Most onboard sound cards are good enough and they tend to better with the better motherboards. Now Ram, generally buy double of what the average computer has, so right now I would suggest 8GB.

New computers today generally just come with Windows and that is all. This generally is not all you need. Some new computers are coming with office starter but you should also get security software. Do not just buy a antivirus! You have viruses, spyware, adware, hackers and hijackers to worry about so always buy an internet security suite. This has all the security you need. Again stick with the better brand (Norton, and Kaspersky are the top 2). And they go on sale all the time, so it is better to buy than subscribe to there yearly updates. When you resubscribe the program is not getting better. Do not use the freeware...all the free security software companies make one you pay for as well. They want you to get attacked so that they can sell you the one they sell. Nobody makes security software for free. 6-9 viruses come out every week, multiply that by ten and you have spyware and adware. Can you really see somone doing that much work for free?

You should also get some type of backup device. I suggest the external hard drives today. Price per dollar for storage they are the cheapest. Most people only need a 250 GB, higher if you have movies. Flash or USB drives are great for transfering data but are not meant for permanent storage. You can lose everything on them just plugging them into your computer. CDs and DVD also only have a shelf life of 5 years before they start degrading. There are some new archivable ones now they say are good for 25 year but when CDs and DVDs came out they said they would last for ever. Always have your data backup on 2 devices.

Warranties: This is always a sticky one. The price of labour in North America is ridiculous. Barring that I have some general rules on all warranties. If it is solid state(i.e. no moving parts) do not buy a warranty. These are the only thing the rule that if it last a year it should last a longtime is true. The truth is manufacturer gives a warranty based on what is going to secure them the most money. That why everything does not have the same warranty. So, if it has moving parts then there are other things to consider. My second rule is the warranty should not exceed 15% of the price within a few dollars, of course, because most warranties are sold in price blocks. Laptop warranties should also cover the battery as well, make sure you ask. Also, ask what happens within the first year of the warranty while you are under the manufacturers warranty. If you buy a refurbished computer always buy the additional warranty if it is within %15 of the price. All refurbished stuff have a much higher defect ratio.