How to Determine What Kind of PC You Want

Computer have a variety of uses, with the most common one being for playing video games. But, for those of us who are not 100% hardcore gamers, we try to look into more of what we need rather than what is popular. Some of us need one to help run our business, while others may want it to watch streaming videos and listen to MP3's and MP4's. Then, there are gamers who have to have the best computer around. One that has the best video cards, HD monitors, cable internet and so forth. But, how does one determine exactly what they need, as needs could change at any moment?

This is a very good question, and a question that needs some careful consideration when entering the PC world, especially if you are a first-time buyer and have never owned a computer before. Before you even think about a PC, think first about what you would want the PC to do for you, such as how fast you want your processor to be? What kinds of graphics do you want your PC to have? Do you want high-definition graphics or do you simply want to be able to see the screen long enough to at least be able to see the icons on the desktop so that you can access the programs you want? Do you want a simple printer where you can print off checks, invoices, or whatever you may need to keep your business ruunning, or do you want a total package, where the printer also faxes, scans, and also prints pictures in high quality? There are a myriad of questions that one can ask themselves about what they would like their PC to be, but even with the questions, there are answers that you will be wanting also.

There are many ways that you can find information such as this, such as reading PC magazines, technology reviews, and the Internet also has some excellent retailers that will sell the components you want at a reasonable price that you want to pay. But, the fact that one must realize is that not all PC's are created equal. Every PC company has a different way that they construct their systems, and every system will work differently. They may have different platforms, such as Macintosh that uses OS/2 Warp as opposed to the standard Windows platforms, such as XP and Vista. Some will have higher graphics cards while others go with standard video cards and so on. Before I get too long and lenthy in all of the differences that PC's have, maybe I should explain the different types of ways that a person can purchase a PC before I give some unsuspecting soul a reason to wash their hands of the whole matter.

PC's are pretty much available anywhere and everywhere today. They are as common as buying a new toaster in the hardware stores way back when, and they have been like a household fixture in the 21st century home. Electronics stores, department stores, E-Bay,rent-to-own establishments (* such as RAC and Aaron's), and even from your best friend across the street are quick outlets for finding your special 'dream machine'. But, with all of these options available, shouldn't buying a PC be easy? Not necessarily so, as there are pros and cons with any person that you buy a computer from, and that is what I am going to get into next.

In most stores and rental facilities, the computers they have are from companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Dell, and possibly even Compaq. These computers are mass-produced, which means that they have what are called 'on-board parts'. On-board parts are not like if you were to build the computer yourself, as when you buy the system, it has already been constructed and everything that is within the computer is on boards rather than being a separate entity. The main problem with on-board parts is that if one board goes bad, major parts of the computer could cease to work, and that means that the only way to get it fixed is to ship the computer by mail (*and that is a great expense) to the manufacturer for repairs or to take it to an independent computer technician, which costs just as much. If you take it to the independent, you could also lose your warranty in the process. The sad thing is that there will always be repair costs, and freelance technicians alone with their own businesses charge $45 per hour just to do a simple diagnostic! The manufacturers will, of course, charge more and they may take months before you see your computer again, and even though computers have come down in price, it still makes for a greater expense when repairs have to be done.

If you buy from a rental store as opposed to a regular retail outlet, you have to take into account that they don't make their money from the sale of the system unless you buy the system outright. If you make installment payments, there are extra charges where only half of what you paid for the original system goes to the system itself and the other half goes to interest, and most contracts last a year before you can call the system your own. I fell into this trap, as the computer that I purchased was originally a $900 system, but by the time that I had finally made the last payment, the computer had cost me double than its original going price! Rental stores are a last resort when buying a system, and if you don't have the cash, I would highly recommend that you wait and save for it, because you will save more money in the long run.

If you buy one from E-Bay, take into consideration that you are buying a computer from an independent seller. With this in mind, make sure that you know everything there is to know about the system before you purchase it. The problem with used computers is that they may contain viruses, and while you are in the middle of fighting your best friend in an aerial dogfight, the idea of your computer frying out due to a Trojan horse virus is not a very appealing thought. There is also the chance that the sale could be a scam and that the seller may make up excuses as to why the system has not arrived yet. That, and the shipping costs go directly to the buyer, not to the seller.

Now, we also have the option of building our own computer from the ground up, which will not only make our computer the exact way that we want it, but will also give us a sense of accomplishment once the system is put together by our own two hands. But, there is one slight catch....if you don't know how to build one, don't! The problem with building a computer from scratch is that there are several barriers that will have to be overcome. First, you have to shop for parts. There are so many places that one can buy parts that a person could go blind just from seeing the selection of processor chips that are available at different sites and parts stores. If you order your parts off the Internet, that means more waiting time, and that can be especially frustrating if you're wanting a PC right away. Then, of course, there is time. Unless you are extremely knowledgeable of computers, building one may take days or even weeks, and you still have to do all of the performance tests to make sure that everything is running correctly. If a part happens to fail, it's back to the drawing board and having to start the whole process all over again, with making sure that no other parts were damaged, and if so, that is money flushed down the drain!

Now that we have established all of the pros and cons of how to purchase a computer, let's look at what the computer can do for us. If you are a hardcore gamer that wants all the best, there is one thing that you have to remember....be expected to pay for it! Most computers that have been specifically made for gaming as well as online Internet play do not come cheap. The most expensive that I have seen to date was called the Voodoo Omen, and that system ran well over $5000! It had everything that a gamer could want, but there was also that price tag that had to be taken into consideration. If you are a gamer, then perhaps building the system that you want may be the ticket, as it will allow you to put into the system exactly what you want and be able to monitor your cost. If you don't have the money for exactly everything you need, just get what you need to get by, and then purchase components as they are made affordable.

For those of you that are business-minded or are writers, building a computer is a waste of time, as you are not interested in playing games, but rather having a system that will manage your company or will help you in your creative juices. What you need is something simple, such as something like an HP Pavilion or a Dell Dimension 3100. These systems do have the ability to play games, but they are even better as simple business computer systems. Make sure that if you get a Dell that you specifically ask for what you want. Ask questions of their customer service reps, as they will help you build exactly what you need. If you need databasing or accounting programs, let them know that. But, with software installation, there is usually an extra cost of a couple of hundred dollars for the extra time they will have to take to put them in for you. If they do not have what you want, I recommend QuickBooks, as it is one of the best programs available for running a business. It runs for about $100 at Staples, but it will be well worth the investment, as it has the ability to write checks, make graphs, balance your budget and costs, and so on. If you are a writer or screenplay writer, Word is good for those that are just simple authors, and it almost always comes with any Windows platform. But, screenwriting software comes at a slightly higher price, between $150-$400, dependent on how may bells and whistles you want. Sophocles is probably the cheapest, and they have a downloadable demo at their site that will give you a limited trial just to see if you like it. There is also Screenwriter's Suite Pro, but that is one of the more expensive packages there is, but it contains everything that you need to make your screenplay look fantastic!

So, does buying a PC still look easy? The best thing to remember when making any electronic purchase is to always be smart about it. Get what you need and always go for the lower cost if you can.