SOME TIPS FOR BUYING A PC

If you’re anything like me, you may find that the time you really must replace an old PC with a new one is often just about the worst time to do so.

Let me share my top 10 tips for smart PC purchasing:

1. Never make a purchase without comparing prices and features, or you’ll pay too much.

2. Never shop in a panic.


3. Try to compare prices among multiple systems in more than one store or online vendor.

4. Don’t buy less than you need thinking you’ll upgrade later. Often you won’t upgrade, or you’ll pay more to add something than you would have if you’d bought it as part of a package originally.

5. Determine whether the PC has many integrated components (video, network, sound, and/or modem) and whether you can upgrade with add-in components later if needed.

6. Make sure that the PC you’re buying runs the version of Windows you want to use.

7. Don’t buy a PC with less than a 20GB hard drive or you’ll exceed your disk capacity too quickly.

8. If you’re buying a PC in a store or receiving one through the mail, don’t accept one packed in a damaged box because it may indicate that the box (and the delicate system inside) was mistreated.

9. Determine the vendor’s return policy before you buy. You shouldn’t have to pay restocking fees or go through a lot of hassle to return defective equipment.

10. Finally, but importantly, make sure to price power protection (a good surge protector and/or a UPS) for the new system. It may be cheaper to purchase power protection separately than to buy it with the new PC.