A computer these days is almost a necessity for everyone, and an expensive necessity at that. Whether for fun or for work, it is not uncommon to see multiple computers in a household. More and more people are even purchasing laptops for their size and convenience. Purchasing a computer can be tricky and intimidating with all the jargon salesmen might throw out at you when in the store. With such an expensive purchase, you want to be precise and happy with your buying experience.
I had a Gateway laptop going into college and used it all the time for school, work, music, and games. After 5 years though, the computer had it, and was so outdated that it became almost unusable. As a result, I decided it was time to buy a new one.
Four Computer Buying Tips
Here are 4 tips when buying a new computer and the process I used when buying mine.
1. Decide What Kind
This may be the biggest decision and can also affect the costs, depending on if you want a desktop or laptop. If it is going to sit in a permanent location at home and be used by multiple people, a desktop may be your best bet for price and performance. If you want something smaller or something you can travel with, a laptop may be for you. I decided I was done with PC’s and still wanted a laptop so I went for the MacBook Pro. Even though more expensive then a PC, it is more efficient and less virus prone.
2. Save Money
Buying a computer is very expensive and an item you probably will need to save up for in order to purchase. Creating an online savings goal may be the best way for you to keep organized and on track with your savings progress. You can contribute money over time until you reach you goal. BudgetPulse has a new savings goal function that is perfect for this (Disclosure: I am the Marketing Director of the BudgetPulse). You also have the ability to make the goal public and then can contact family and friends who could directly contribute money helping you out through Paypal or Amazon.
I bought …