Technology December - StarDream magazine

IT'S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE ...
... ON YOUR COMPUTER SHOPPING SKILLS

Holiday Computer Shopping... Turned Inside-Out

With the access the media has into the households of America, and the mass production of today's personal computers, you will be receiving non-stop sales pitches this holiday season. They will come from both retailers and manufacturers, in your newspaper, on your television and on the internet. What will you do?

You'll want to upgrade, of course. (Buying a computer when you have none is considered a major upgrade.) This article is NOT set up to tell you what computer equipment to buy. (There's enough of that available.) This article will help you decipher those sales messages as prepare you to make intelligent decisions concerning the purchase of computer equipment.

We have set this article up for two distinct groups of people:
1) Those who have unlimited funds, and
2)Those who are working with a specific budget.

If you have an unlimited budget, purchasing a computer is very easy. Go to your local retailer, ask for the store manager, tell the manager you want their best computer, then purchase it. Then send us $100 for helping you with this fantastic purchase.

If, on the other hand, you have a budget, you will be well served by doing your "homework" prior to purchasing. Yes, a smart investment of time upfront can save you lots of money, especially when it saves you from buying something ridiculous that the salesman insists you need. First, figure out what you need the computer for, trying to anticipate any upcoming needs you may be facing in the near future. Second, learn the different components and what they do for you. There aren't that many, but their cost can vary widely.

To shop smartly, you need to know the variables and price ranges of these computer components:
Memory (Ram) Processor (Speed) 3.5" Floppy Disk Monitor	Hard Drive (1 GB, 2.5 GB, etc.) CD Rom (4X, 8X, 12X, 24X, etc) Modem (14.4bps, 28.8bps, 33.6 bps or 56K) Sound and Video Cards

Many computer retailers only have "packages" available. Each of the components listed above are usually included in one form or the other. Sometimes these can save you money, especially during special promotions, but make sure you get at least the minimum you need of each component. Read the different sales bulletins and see what is available. For instance, each computer must have RAM to work. It used to be that 4 or 8 megs were good, but now you will be hard pressed to even find a machine with less than 16 megs of ram and 32 is becoming common.

You must know the levels you need of each component to ensure a good purchase. One that gives you the computer you need, without forcing you to pay too much. If you are not familiar with computers or you are purchasing your first machine, consider this strategy. Purchase a model the store is clearing out. Make sure this was the "new" model within the last 4 months. Yes, they change that often. If you purchase the most advanced model they have available, keep in mind, it will be in the clearance mode at the store before you know how to use all aspects of the one you purchased. Make a list of each component you need, and use the list when you shop.

Most of the order houses custom build your computer, so you don't have to pay for anything you don't want. It takes longer to get these machines, but it should only be a matter of days. If you are familiar with Dell or Gateway, you know their machines are highly rated. You would also know they don't have inventory reduction sales. This is an option for the consumer who is comfortable with computer lingo and knows what the want from their machine.

If your computer needs are limited, investigate getting a used machine. There are many companies and individuals who's needs have exceeded their computer's capabilities, but it may be the perfect machine for you. For instance, an office manager may need a less powerful computer than an architect. If you have never owned a computer before, consider this option. Any computer you buy will be considered outdated next year, and an inexpensive used model may be exactly what you need to learn the system.

Well those are the basics, and knowing where to find help will keep you from making a wrong move. Good luck on your holiday computer shopping. To find out more about computers, their components and performance, please refer to list list of links below.

StarDream magazine's November technology article focused on the features you should expect from your on-line service, and using the internet. Click Here to view it.

MANUFACTURERS: IBM Apple Acer Dell Computers Gateway 2000 Micron Computers	ON-LINE RETAILERS: Micro Warehouse Tiger Direct Computer Discount Warehouse PC Zone	EVALUATORS: Anchordesk ZD net PC Magazine