Five Things to Consider Before Buying a Computer 5

If only you were done with your computer-shopping considerations, but there's more to a computer than simply the computer. How will you get online? What's WAN? And what kinds of extra hardware or peripherals -- monitors, printers, keyboards, speakers, and more -- will you need?

Wireless: The wireless mess of 802.11a, b, g, n -- that mysterious set of letters and numbers you see on computer wireless spec lists -- is actually much simpler than it would appear. "802.11n" is the latest and greatest, "802.11g" is the standard and "802.11b" is the original standard. "802.11a" is the red-headed step child that never quite took off, and you probably won't miss it if your wireless card won't support it. We strongly recommend making sure your laptop has "n" installed and it couldn't hurt on a desktop either (who wants to run messy cables all around the house?). It's twice as fast as 802.11g -- ideal for streaming or downloading even HD-quality video over Wi-Fi -- but will still work on "g" networks. If a laptop doesn't have Wi-Fi capability, then don't buy it.

There are other connectivity options to consider when shopping as well. Bluetooth will allow you to use a headset with your PC for placing voice calls over applications like Skype, Google Talk, or Gizmo. It will also allow you to sync your smart phone or use your mobile handset as a modem with a laptop for getting online when Wi-Fi isn't an option. Some keyboards, printers, and mice connect to your computer wirelessly via Bluetooth as well.

If you plan on being out and about with a notebook, but always need to be able to get online, then think about adding a built in 3G cellular WAN (Wide Area Network) connection for broadband speeds from just about anywhere there's a cell phone signal (many ultraportable and thin-and-light notebooks offer this option). You can also get add-on cards for WAN access on laptops that don't have the feature built-in. You'll need a PC card slot or a USB port for these add-on cards to work. Sprint and Verizon offer 3G EVDO mobile broadband cards, while AT&T Wireless offers 3G HSDPA cards, which will work overseas if you plan on traveling internationally.

Ports: As far as ports (a.k.a. inputs on your computer) go, make sure your computer has at least 2 USB ports, but the more the merrier. (Most desktops have plenty of USB ports, so this is an issue that mostly affects laptop buyers.) If you plan on watching HD movies (from Blu-ray or downloaded files) on a TV, consider getting a computer with an HDMI output, which is the standard Hi-Def connection.

Keyboard and mouse: Desktops always come with a keyboard and a mouse, but if you're picky or want a bigger keyboard for your laptop, then don't be afraid to upgrade to something a little more durable or comfortable. Wireless keyboards and mice are recommended if you want to have a clean desk or feel like working from the couch -- we prefer keyboards that use tried-and-tested 2.4GHz or IR for wireless connections rather than unreliable Bluetooth, which can be unreliable. For our picks of excellent keyboards for every need and budget, check out our computer keyboard roundup.

Monitors: Most desktops also include a monitor as part of the price, but on less expensive systems, companies skimp here to keep the price as low as possible. Definitely upgrade to at least a 19-inch widescreen monitor, though 20- or 21-inches is even better if you plan on playing games or watching any video or slideshows. A good quality monitor should have a resolution of at least 1440x900 (higher on larger monitors) and a response time of 8ms. If you're going to be doing any gaming, get a monitor with the quickest response time you can find (5ms or less or fast-paced games may look blurry).

Printers: Printers are usually the last thing shoppers think about when picking up a computer. But instead of settling for whatever aging model is on sale, spring for a quality device. If you print a lot of text documents (teachers and English majors,we're looking at you), you'll want to drop a little extra cash on a laser printer, which is fast and offers slightly more affordable "ink." Prices have come down and decent models can be had for $200, and you'll thank us when you have to print out 30 copies of your manuscript and it doesn't take all week.

For those with less demanding needs, go for an inkjet device. Inkjets are great for printing photos or color documents and much cheaper than a Color laser printer. A decent inkjet printer can be had for under $100. And a few extra bucks will snag you an all-in-one device that also faxes, scans, and copies. When picking an inkjet printer, make sure that color images print at a high resolution (4800 x 1200 at least) and that it will accept smaller glossy paper for borderless, professional quality photo printing.

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