One question that we receive often from customers is some variant of the question, "what kind of computer should I buy?" There is no simple answer, as the variables to consider in a computer purchase are as many as the options available to consumers. In fact, consumers have never had as many options as they do now when it comes to purchasing a computing device. Not only can you choose between a desktop and a laptop, but you can also consider a tablet device or even a mobile phone. In the next couple of articles, we will attempt to lay out for you the things which are important to consider when making your next computer purchase. What's Most Important to You?Before you begin to look at all of the options which are out there, you need to answer a few questions for yourself which will help to guide your purchase. What are the three or four things that you need or want to be able to do on your "computer" (in the broad sense of the term, including all of the device types listed above)? Do you mainly want or need to browse on the internet? send and receive email? Do you want to view&edit photos and/or video? Do you have software programs which have specific hardware or operating system requirements? Do you want to be able to play certain games which will need hardware resources to support it? As you prepare to go shopping, jot down the top 4 things you will be doing on your new device.To Go Mobile or Not to Go Mobile?That is the question of our age! Today's laptops and ultrabooks are lighter, faster and hold much more data than ever before. These features make them ideal for folks who need computing power on the go. Likewise, many people are finding that much of what they do online (such as web surfing, email, sending pictures & texts & reading eBooks) can be accomplished from a tablet device. Wireless hotspots are now becoming so widespread that you can get online virtually anywhere. Another question that you need to consider is how important is it for you to be able to take your computer with you. Price: Important, but not all importantUnfortunately, when many consumers begin their search for a new computer, their primary consideration when comparing options is price. However, the cheapest machine on the shelf is not necessarily the best in the long run, and may not even meet your needs once you get it out of the box. The old adage, "you get what you pay for" can sometimes be true when buying a new computer. If you buy a cheap, unreliable device just because it was a bargain, you may wind up paying more in the long run if you don't consider other factors.Brand and Product LineIf you ask just about anyone their opinions about major computer brands (e.g. Dell, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, etc.), you will not have to wait too long before you hear a horror story, either about a hardware failure or about customer service with a particular brand. The reality is that all of the major computer manufacturers make good machine as well as cheap ones and/or lemons. The top 3 computer manufacturers, HP, Lenovo & Dell, arguably have some of the most reliable systems on the market. Businesses, which utilize computer systems many more hours per day than the average consumer and have much less tolerance for downtime, have come to rely on them year after year. That being said, it may be wise to consider purchasing a business-grade computer from one of these manufacturers rather than a consumer grade one. Why? Business lines of PC's generally are built with more reliable parts and offer generally better reliability than their consumer-grade counterparts. In fact, in our refurbished computer offerings, we have chosen to focus mainly on Dell's business line of computers - Optiplexes, Latitudes, Precisions and Vostros primarily for these reasons. A Dell business-line computer which is a few years old can often be more reliable than a new consumer desktop or laptop. What about the Warranty?One very important factor that many people do not consider when purchasing a computer is the length and type of warranty offered on the computer system. It's not a pleasant or fun thought to think about how easy it will be to get your new computer fixed when it breaks. Many consumer-grade systems offer a one year warranty. But if a hardware failure is going to occur, is it most likely to happen in the first year, or in year 2, 3 or 4? When the computer does experience a failure, under most consumer-grade warranties, the customer must go through a grueling diagnostic process over the phone with a phone technician who is difficult to understand. Once a hardware failure has been identified, consumers usually have to send their computer back to the company, usually called a depot repair process. It is likely that the customer will be without his or her system for 1-2 weeks while the system is repaired under warranty. The warranty process for business-grade systems, however, is quite different. Usually when a part on a business system fails, the computer manufacturer sends a replacement part within 24 hours, if necessary with a certified technician to install it. Business-grade warranties are usually 3 years standard on most systems, and additional warranty coverage can be purchased. Of course, business PC's are a bit more expensive, in part due to this warranty coverage, but the ease of walking through a repair process more than makes up for the difference in price. SummaryWhen you begin your search for a new computer, you will do well to make sure that you are armed with the following information and preferences:You should have a firm understanding on what form factor you are looking for: desktop, laptop or mobile device. You know what you need to do with your computer after you purchase it, know what programs you need to run and know that the system type will be able to accommodate your needs. You should focus on a major computer brand which has a history of offering quality products and reliable service.You should strongly consider purchasing a business-grade system because they are manufactured with more reliable parts and offer longer and better warranty coverage.You should consider a system which incorporates all of the above factors at a price that you can afford.Keep in mind that technology is changing at an amazing rate. The computing device that you purchase today will not only be relatively obsolete in just a few years, but might even be totally out-moded by some new technology that doesn't even exist today. Consider the fact that just five years ago smart phones & tablet devices, let alone the versatility of the apps that run on them, were not even available to the general consumer. Now they make up nearly one-fifth of all internet-connected end user systems. Whatever computer you decide to buy, it will likely not be your last one.
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