5 pitfalls to avoid when buying a computer

Don’t waste your money on your next computer purchase

Eager to take advantage of low advertised prices that seem like great deals, people often end up wasting their money by making these common mistakes when buying a new computer:

1. Carelessness of memory. In order to keep the price as low as possible, vendors rarely include enough memory in the reference product. 512 MB is not enough memory. 2 GB (2030-2048 MB) is a good base for a home or office computer. If you’re buying a “gamer” computer, start with 4GB.
Recommendation: ALWAYS add more memory.
Lack of action: Even if you only plan to do basic tasks like email and word processing with an occasional spreadsheet, system performance will take a hit. Simply applying the critical security updates that Windows, Office, and other programs require on a regular basis will dramatically affect your system’s performance, for a period of months, if you don’t have enough memory to start with.
2. Processor Ignorance. Apart from the computer memory (item 1), the processors have their own memory. Lack of adequate memory in a processor can be a source of much frustration with a computer. Constant hangs or crashes, applications running out of memory, even strange printing behavior can all be symptoms of a processor lacking adequate memory.
Recommendation: If the computer will be used for very little Internet browsing and word processing or perhaps balancing your checkbook, then of course a Sempron(TM) or Celeron(TM) is all the processor you need. If you plan to have more than two applications open simultaneously and use your computer more vigorously (word processor, spreadsheet, multiple Internet browser tabs or windows, and email open at the same time), then you need a more robust processor.
Lack of action: A bruised and bloody forehead from banging his head against the wall in frustration. The cost of a completely new computer. You can’t just replace the processor at a later date.
3. CD/DVD drives not writing or not fast enough. Another way vendors keep the price of a computer down is to equip it with slower, read-only CD/DVD drives. DVD media has a much larger storage capacity than CDs, so make sure you can always write to the DVD drive.
Recommendation: Always make sure you can write to the largest capacity storage media. At some point, you’ll need to write to the device to back up your data, including any music you may download. Please note that the ONLY way to back up the songs you download is to create a music CD or DVD. Simply copying the files to a flash drive or other storage device will not allow you to play them back in case you lose the originals for any reason (such as updating your software).
lack of action: It could cost you real dollars in the long run. Whether it’s data or music, you need to back it up. Sometimes you might want to share something with another computer user and you don’t want to part with your flash drive for this purpose.
4. Not including Office products with your computer purchase. Exceptionally low-priced computers don’t come with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, or any other Microsoft Office products. Some come with Microsoft Works, a product that is completely incompatible with Microsoft Word or any other Microsoft Office product. If you ever plan to exchange a word processing or spreadsheet file with someone else, you’ll need one or more of the Microsoft Office products. Buy what you may need with the computer.
Recommendation: Always buy Microsoft Office products with your computer when you get the chance. The cost savings is considerably better than going to the store and buying them separately.
Lack of action: You may be spending a couple of hundred dollars or more than you would have if you had purchased the Office products you needed with your computer. The cost difference is definitely significant.
5. Don’t take shortcuts with your monitor. Buy the largest, highest resolution flat panel display you can afford. Again, these are often offered at a significant discount when bundled with a computer. We’ve yet to hear anyone express regret about buying a monitor that was “too big.” Your eyes will thank you.
Recommendation: High resolution flat panel displays are the way to go and are almost always cheaper when purchased with your computer. Buy the best you can afford.
lack of action: Buyers’ remorse and “sore eyes.” If you work on a computer for more than a couple of hours a day, you won’t regret spending a few extra bucks on a good monitor. The cost of upgrading to a larger, higher resolution monitor at the time you originally purchase your computer is much less than having to purchase an entirely new monitor at a later date. This is not the place to try to save a few bucks.

Avoiding these common mistakes can greatly increase the life of your computer and improve your computing experience.

The decision to purchase extended warranties, antivirus, and antispyware software with your computer are separate issues.