Buying a Computer

What To Do And Why  

It isn’t fair, but buying a computer is just plain easier for some than it is for others. Those who've purchased and used a computer in the past already have an idea of what they need in a new computer. But those who are new to the computer world could get lost in the myriad of choices available.

The short answer to "What should I buy?” is “The best.” Of course that answer is extremely subjective because “the best” to one person is certainly different to another. Our definition of "the best" is the fastest and the biggest, but even that leaves the computer newbie confused. Here’s a quick rundown of what the computer novice should do and why.

 1. Buy a computer that includes basic peripherals. Every computer can be broken down into four major components: CPU unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. For the novice, it’s best to buy a computer that has all of these components included so that when it’s taken home, assembling the computer is a simple matter of plugging things in where they belong. Save the individual purchases of these components for those who have more experience.

2. Decide what you'll use the computer for. If you want to use your computer for cruising the web, sending email, or performing simple word-processing or spreadsheet tasks, a computer with the basic components that we just described should suffice. You're going to need to accessorize your system with a scanner, printer, digital camera, tablet, or digicam for example If you want to use a computer to help with a career in multimedia. If you want a computer to help with a career in music, you will need a quality microphone and set of speakers. 

3. Create a budget and stick to it. How much can you afford to spend on a new computer? Although the prices of computers are decreasing, they can still create a hefty expense especially if you need additional peripherals described above. In addition, you'll need to figure in costs for maintenance, servicing, and insuring.

4. Start comparison shopping and look for the “fastest and biggest.” By “fastest and biggest,” we mean the computer with the fastest processor, the fastest modem, the biggest memory, and the biggest hard drive capacity. Even if you think that you'll never need the amount of speed or space available on the market today, it's important to have in the event that you truly do need that much in the future. Having such a large reserve will cut down on costs when the time comes to upgrade for more than what you may settle for in a computer that offers less.

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5. Stick with the better-known brands. Venturing off the beaten path with lessor-known brands is again, an adventure for those who have more experience with computers. The computer novice will appreciate the comfort in purchasing a computer from a business that has a long record of building quality products, and that has the funds available for fulfilling returns, trades, servicing, and warranties Although those better-known brands may be a tad bit more expensive.

6. Select a computer store. Having an idea of what you want in a computer and what kind of computer that you want, your only task left is to select the place in which you want to buy it. There are a number of places available including computer store outlets, online stores, auction sites, used computer stores, or your friendly neighborhood yard sale. For the computer novice, we recommend buying a computer from a physical store. In  a physical store, you have the opportunity to see the computer of interest in person and ask questions. New computer buyers also have access to store warranties, returns, trades, and services. 

These suggestions should give the computer newbie a great start in selecting a quality computer for the first time and they apply to either Windows computers or Apple Macintosh computers. After making these decisions and finally selecting one that fits your needs, you can then venture into the fascinating world of software – a world that is just as grand as the world of hardware!

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The first thing that you have to do when you are looking for the best laptop is to keep your own needs in mind. Remember that not all laptops are the same. In fact, they are going to provide you with different things depending on who you are and what you are doing with them. If you need a laptop for work, you are going to have different needs than if you need one just to play games. So, the first thing that you should do is make sure you have your own needs set. This is the best way to make sure that you have the best laptop for you.

How long do you need the battery to last?  This is important.  If you are only keeping the laptop at home, it will not need as
powerful a battery as a traveling salesman. How big of a screen do you need?  You probably won’t need a big screen, but big screens can be easier for showing graphics and charts.  If you have poor eyesight, be sure your laptop has a “Zoom” function that magnifies everything.

With a well known brand such as Dell, there are many attractive features available in their laptops such as exceptionally quick processors and a wonderful graphic
engine, and its laptops are also ideally suited for gaming. So, if you want speed, great graphics and plan on playing many games, you would do well to check out various laptop reviews about this particular make, and a notable offering from Dell is its XPS 170 that has blistering speed of processing, and is in fact one of the fastest available on the market today.

Another brand that stands out when it comes to buying a laptop is Toshiba that is well known for its multimedia features that include facilities for TV, stereo, DVR and also DVD players, and so, if you are going to spend your time on listening to music, watching movies and videos and want outstanding visual effects, then read up laptop reviews on this particular brand so that you get an idea about which models are suited the best to meet your requirements.

More info on notebooks can be found here Microsoft Photo Gallery

Buying a new laptop is much like buying a new car. The first time you roll off the lot with the new car, it will be very shiny, and all your friends will "ooh" and "ah.” Same with the laptop. As time goes on, you will start to see a lot of other people with the same laptop/car, and it will start to loose much of its initial luster.

Others will get new and better cars/laptops, and you'll still be driving your old one. You might be tempted to sell the old laptop, buy a new one, and start the cycle all over again. However, you’ll find out soon enough that, as with a used car, you won’t get nearly the same value out of it as you would like, even though its not even that old and works fine in general.

What if you could be on the other side of this exchange, and you were the one getting the great deal on the laptop? This is the same principle as buying a used car, and buying your next laptop used will get you the exact same type of value. Why not let that other guy take the big depreciation hit? Of course, you have no warranty, but the price is so low that it won’t likely matter. In the end, you still come out ahead.

One of the neatest things about buying used laptops is that you can get some very inexpensive old models that are perfect for basic applications such as internet, e-mail, and office. My favorite laptop for these uses are IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads, because of their ruggedness. Buy one of these at a low price, reinstall the operating system, and you've got yourself a great little portable workstation.

If you’re a gamer, you can even get a nice little portable gaming rig. It won’t play the latest and greatest games, but with a used Alienware laptop or something similar, you can play many great classic games on the road, with a machine that doesn’t have the same crushing price tag as a new gaming laptop would.

So, is a used laptop right for you? If you're like most people, the answer here is most likely yes. Most people over inflate the risk of the laptop breaking on them, which leads to lower demand, and thus lower prices, for used laptops. You can get a nice used tablet PC, typically quite expensive, for low prices.  If you need the best and fastest, by all means buy new, but if you’re just looking for the basics, give used a try.

So lets look at some typical situations and see if we have a dead notebook or if you can use Toshiba notebook parts to repair it.

Common Laptop Upgrades

Most notebook computers allow for upgrades.  Consult your manual to see what kinds of upgrades your Toshiba notebook allows.  Usually you can upgrade memory and hard drive capacity but once again I would have a professional do it unless you really know what you are doing.

Most hard drive manufactures will be compatible with your laptop although if your doing a memory upgrade or repair you should stick Toshiba notebook parts.  You should be able to determine compatibility by going on line or checking your manual.

The screen for a laptop is not upgradable.  If you need a larger or higher resolution screen then your only choice is buying a new laptop.

Dead Laptop

Notebooks now days are much more durable than earlier days although dropping a notebook that is not in a protective case can cause serious damage to the components and circuits.  Even a protective case will normally not protect a notebook that is accidentally dropped in water.

Parts That Can Be Repaired

Defective notebook screens can usually be repaired although in some case they may not be repaired.  Other components such as the power supply and battery can be replaced if necessary.

Using Toshiba notebook parts the CD-Rom and DVD drive can be upgraded or replaced.

Get more information on computers and laptops visit HP Pavilion Laptop Computer