There are two main questions to consider when purchasing a home computer:

1. How are you going to use your computer?
2. Which computer fits within your family budget?

 

5 Common Types of Computer Users
The CNET editors’ Desktop Buying Guide outlines five common computer user types: family, student, pro user, couch potato and business user.

Family
The family computer plays many roles. A mainstream model does best in this environment. The family computer has enough power to run productivity applications, view and edit photos, manage MP3s and even play many of today’s games. Be sure to add a DVD burner and a large hard drive if you have a digital video camcorder.

Student
Some students opt for a laptop to take to class to for notes and papers. However, many still choose to keep a desktop at home (apartment, dorm room, etc.) as well. The student computer is friendly on the budget but comes with enough features and performance to make it to graduation. Add an Ethernet port for plugging into the campus network.

Power User
Serious gaming, graphic design and video editing are activities of the power user. These activities all require a fast processor, lots of memory, and a top-notch video card. Add a massive hard drive, a FireWall port, and a DVD burner to transfer and edit home movies.

Couch Potato
With a wireless mouse and keyboard, the couch potato doesn’t need to get off the couch to enjoy the entertainment from their Media Center PC. The Media Center PC acts as a TV and digital video recorder in addition to being a fully functional computer.

Business User
In recent years there has been a proliferation of home-based businesses, largely due to the affordability of computer technology today. The average business user doesn’t need to be concerned about graphics and speaker systems. The business user’s system has enough power to multitask daily office chores.

The Right Mix
Once you have identified your user profile look below to find CNET editors’ recommendations for computer specifications that will meet your needs.

Buying Locations and Warnings
According to ComputerHope.com, "the buying location can be the first and most costly mistake made by end-users when purchasing a computer or computer equipment." ComputerHope offers some tips to help consumers avoid fraud regardless of where they purchase their computer.

Locations

• Auctions - Companies such as Ebay or Yahoo provide auctions where other people have the capability of listing products that they are selling. On-line auctions are now the number one location where thefts and scams will occur. Look at the seller's history or profile. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Internet - It is becoming easier, faster, and cheaper to buy over the Internet, however, pay close attention to what you are buying. Ensure that the company is a well-known company.
• Local Retailer - A Local Retailer is one of the safest locations to buy computer hardware and software. Remember, it is possible for sales representatives to give you incorrect or false information either to help the sell or because they may not know all the required information.
  

Warnings

• Piracy - ComputerHope warns pirated software is sometimes passed off as authentic software. Authentic software comes with documentation.
• Warranty - Verify the warranty on the product insuring that it is either provided by the manufacturer of the product or the place of purchase.
• Return Policy - Ensure that you verify the sellers return policy incase the device is not functioning or is not compatible with your computer.
• Security - Always protect your credit card when you buy anything over the internet.

Money Saving Tips

Freebies
PC Magazine Desktop Buying Guide suggests to look for “bundled extras” when buying a home computer. Free software, printers, and other equipment can add to the overall value of a computer. They also advises budget shoppers to check to see if the monitor is included with the computer.

Rebates, Sales and Coupons
Check online and in your local newspaper to find big savings. Many manufacturers offer hundreds of dollars in rebates or coupons that can be redeemed at the time of purchase or by mail.

School and Employee Discounts
Some computer manufacturers contract with schools and companies to offer students and employees discounts on new computers. Check with your school bookstore or employer to see if they offer a discount or refund on a new home computer.

Refurbished
According to Computerhope.com, “refurbished computers will have a lower price and are generally a good deal for users who may not have a lot of money to spend on a new computer.” Refurbished computers contain a device or component that has been used. Once any part of a computer has been used, the computer cannot be sold as new. Refurbished computers have been determined to be in good working order.

Remember, when buying a home computer determine your computer user profile and follow the recommendations to find a computer that will fulfill your needs. Then, determine your budget and look for sales, discounts, rebates, freebies, refurbished models and refunds to save money. Lastly, regardless of where you buy your computer remember to beware of scams, protect your credit card, verify the warranty and return policy and make sure you receive the computer you paid for.

ComputerHope.com ”Buying Tips.”
CNET.com CNET Editors’ Desktop Buying Guide.
PC Magazine, “Desktop Buying Guide.” John R. Delaney. June 20, 2001.

Terms and Usage

Understanding computer terminology can be confusing. PC Magazine and ComputerHope.com offer some computer definitions to help.

CD-RW Optical discs of this type can be recorded on and erased numerous times. (PC)

CPU (central processing unit) (aka - processor) This integrated circuit is the brains of a modern computer. The CPU contains the arithmetic and logic hardware that does the bulk of the information processing. (PC)

CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) is the electron beams within a monitor that move across your screen either interlaced or non interlaced hiring phosphor dots on the inside glass tube. (CH)

DDR (Double Data Rate) is a type of memory that utilizes both the rising and falling edge of the system clock which could potentially double the speed of the memory. (CH)

Display Term used to describe the device used to view images and/or text. (CH)

Ethernet supports the transfer of data. (PC)

FireWire provides a high-speed serial connection between peripheral devices such as printers, digital cameras, speakers, and external storage devices and the system. (PC)

Integrated video This is On-board video or, a video controller integrated onto the motherboard. (PC)

LCD (Liquid-crystal display) is a flat display technology used in laptops, calculators and the majority of flat screen displays. LCD displays are available as active matrix, dual-scan, or passive-matrix display.(CH)

Memory The processor stores the information it needs in these microchips, which are commonly referred to as RAM. Other devices, especially video cards, often have memory of their own. (PC)

Motherboard This is the computer's main circuit board, on which the processor and system memory reside, as well as the chip sets that control information flow and the circuitry that connect components to the processor and each other. (PC)

Operating System An Operating System is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. (CH)

SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM) This type of desktop memory is synchronized with the CPU's clock, so there is little or no downtime when transferring data to the processor. (PC)

Software a collection of instructions that enables a user to interact with the computer or have the computer perform specific tasks for them. (CH)

ComputerHope.com. Computer Dictionary.

PC Magazine, “Desktop Buying Guide.” John R. Delaney. June 20, 2001.