Five Things to Consider Before Buying a Computer

Computers, Advice, Windows Software, Mac Software, Laptops, Peripherals, desktops, Holiday Gift Guide 2008

Five Things to Consider Before Buying a Computer

by Terrence O'Brien — Oct 1st 2008 at 6:20PM

So you're buying a new computer? Well, you're in luck, because there's never been a better time -- they're faster, smaller, and more powerful than ever before, and they don't necessarily have to cost you an arm and a leg (in fact, plenty of decent desktops and laptops can be had for less than $500). But should you get a Mac or a PC? Laptop or desktop ? Specs-wise, what difference does having an AMD or Intel processor make? And if you're planning on getting a laptop, how do you make sense of the alphabet soup that is Wi-Fi (802.11a, b, g, n)? Well, dear reader, and potential buyer, Switched is here to help you wade through the spec lists you see on those Sunday circulars and help you make the best of your computer money. Take a look at our crib sheet of five things to consider when picking out your new computer, which starts on the next page, so click below....

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Tags: 5 things to consider, 5thingscomputer, 5ThingsToConsider, buying guides, BuyingGuides, features, hggfeatures, top

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Andre said 2:41AM on 10-02-2008

The outline of Mac OS seems like it comes from a person who hasn't used a Mac in years. If you're going to write a guide like this, at least make sure to explain the ups and downs of OS X Leopard and not OS 9 ... please?

Blake said 3:14PM on 10-14-2008

i saw on http://www.cityskoop.com that Circuit City and Best Buy have some good deals on computers

george hanz said 3:39PM on 10-14-2008

very nice.

Mike said 6:05PM on 10-14-2008

Yeah, I read where Circuit City is going bankrupt. I'm not buying anything there. I can't tell if the store is going to be there if I have any problems. Invest your hard earned dollars with a stable store you can trust. I prefer Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, Frye's.

Max said 7:17PM on 10-14-2008

You should truly be ashamed of yourself.
Your true fear is that he will lead this country back to where it was before Bush messed it all up. That he is exactly what he states he is. A man of the people for the people. Who is not afraid to speak with our enemies as well as our allies. Whose domestic plans make sense. Your the type of American that isn't American at all. No respect. No dignity. Uneducated. Who truly makes us Americans look plain stupid. If you can not comprehend the message in which he delivers then you shouldn't even be able to vote in the first place. Wake up and for those who say the lesser of two evils: McCain is one and Palin is the second if he is elected since hes but a heartbeat away. This election shouldn't even be close. Take the blindfold off and open your eyes. Think before you decide to write something that is so far from being close to the truth.

Clifton said 12:17AM on 11-04-2008

MAX
You MORON have you not heard of a tax and spend liberal? That's what Obama is. A bleeding heart for the masses. If he thinks he is going to take my hard earned money in the form of new or higher taxes and give it to some baby making ho bag, like the ones you run with, then he is a bigger moron than you.

Rahl said 12:22PM on 12-15-2008

@Clifton

I thought that's what you're supposed to do with taxes? You spend them. Taxes pay for everything from roads, power plants, sewage system, dams, levees, schools and especially the military. It's an investment for the future of this country.

Of course, that's assuming that they spend them wisely. One example of unwise spending: the completely unnecessary war in Iraq, and to an extent, the financial industry $700B bailout.

What we need is better screening so people who deserve welfare receive it and those who don't will be kicked out. I mean it's not like the government is powerless when it comes to saying "No more welfare for you" to those who abuse it.

Jared said 7:41PM on 10-14-2008

I find that Best Buy offers great deals on many different computer offerings. I just bought a Gateway sturdy laptop there for a great price.

I shop online to save money on gas, use less gas and save money period. I shop at all my favorite stores through an online website that gives me the unpublished codes at about 300 stores (including Target, The Gap, Best Buy, Old Navy,
Drugstore.com, etc) as well as giving me between 5 and 50% back in cash on my purchases. The site is http://www.fatcrumbs.com I am being good to the environment and great to my wallet.

Matt said 11:02AM on 10-25-2008

I have been looking around/researching to buy a laptop....still not sure whether should I go for a Windows based or Mac.
Waiting for ThanksGiving sale/deals and found this site http://blackfridaylaptop.com

Jacob Morrisson said 1:55PM on 11-12-2008

Hey, i have a dell. i think dell's r the best!! just giving some advice for u people out there I have a xp 2000.

eddywtr said 2:11PM on 11-12-2008

The biggest question in regard to buying a new computer is: "Do I really need a new computer, or do I just 'want' a new computer?" The truth is that most of us have all the crap we need. Few of us actually really need more of anything. It's not need, it's want. Food, gas, toilet paper, imagine living a year just buying those items. CASH! Piles of cold hard cash is the best way to weather the current economic situation. I discovered one of the best books you'll ever find about finance, "How to Become Filthy Rich on Your Current Income" at www.how-to-become-rich.com. If people read books like this one we would not have the current situation we do.

June said 9:00PM on 11-12-2008

I will never go to Circuit City. They people are rude and they don't know their merchandise. Also they have little to offer. They are not even set up on computers...all their records are still on books at least in my part of town.

Bill said 1:55PM on 11-18-2008

Dont forget about Staples they have good deals on computers and laptops. I still think Compaq and HP are better than Dell.

Doreen said 10:45PM on 11-25-2008

http://www.100298.getrebates.com

Shop online at over 1200 stores and get cash back for your
purchases.....

Best bet for Cyber-Monday

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'Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

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Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.

Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.

Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.

Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.

HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.

HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.

HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.

GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.

Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.

Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.

Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.

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