Buying a desktop computer

Before you pull the trigger on a desktop, we must ask; why in the name of the sweet Lord are you getting a desktop? If you aren’t sure…absolutely sure you need one, then hold your ponies and get a notebook. That old cost difference issue for getting the desktop over the notebook has largely disappeared. Assuming you want us to shut up on this notebook thing let's get on with it.

Thing #1

Buy above minimum specs.

Assuming you can afford it, get something close to, but just below, the top of the line. This will extend the useful life of your PC. It's kind of like real estate (and yoga). It's good to stretch a bit. For all the specs and "which-one" information go to: cnet.com

Thing #2

Upgrade at the time of purchase.

Often, you can get a better deal on a larger hard drive or a better monitor when you first order your computer. Even doubling the size of a hard drive may add very little to the cost, and upgrading to a higher-quality monitor may add only $100.

Thing #3

Avoid gimmicky keyboards to save money.

Many vendors tout fancy keyboards with extra buttons for launching apps. Save some money by choosing the cheapest option unless you have a specific need for the fancier one. Same goes for mice. (Or is it mouses?)

Thing #4

Buy one of the big brands.

Do not screw around with the also-rans and do not buy a brand you've never heard of. IBM, HP, Compaq, Apple, Sony, Dell, Gateway or Acer have good service reps and are national. The locals can't do the warranty thing and you usually have to bring it in when there's a problem. The Tom, Dick and Geek brands are not going to help you and nobody else will know how to fix it.

Thing #5

Know who you are.

We're sure you don't need us to tell you whether to get a Mac or a PC - you're either a Mac person or a PC person - it's in your genetic code. But, in the rare event that you do have your Mac chromosomes and your PC chromosomes crossed or, you want a Mac but think they're too expensive, the price gap between PCs and Macs has closed quite a bit. Switching to Intel chips in the Macs has increased performance without raising prices. The gap is only about 10 percent at this point.