7 important things to know before buying a computer

I keep getting questions like, what kind of computer do I buy?, how much do I need to buy a computer?, can't I buy a fairly used computer?

For average and above users, these questions aren't really difficult, it's usually just a matter of how much he/she wants to spend. But for a computing newbie, it gets a little more complicated because they usually have little or no idea of what they actually want in a computer. And that is the reason why I have compiled these computer shopping tips, so I can get them of my back (just kidding).

While buying a computer might not be as simple as buying a TV set (and even those are no longer simple anymore), it is also not rocket science, provided you invest a little time to do some prior research so you can make an educated decision as to what kind of system you can get, given your specific needs as well as your budget range. Believe me, a little time spent in choosing the right computer will go a long way to ensure that you get the biggest bang for your buck as well as getting you a computer that won't be obsolete six months later.

So for what it's worth,here are seven important things I think you should know before you go out and buy that computer.

I must tell you at this point that this is by no means an exhaustive list of what you might consider, nor is it a guide to buying a cheap computer. The main objective of this post is to guide you to make a well reasoned choice when you want to acquire your device.

1. Price If your monthly income is in six or even seven figures, then price might not be a factor. But for mere mortals. we usually have to watch our pockets. Computers are not exactly cheap, but you do not need break your piggy bank, much less rob one before you can get a device that can serve your purposes. Anything from N80,000 will get you a good system with great specs that is perfect for almost everyone, unless you are a rocket physicist, a 'crazy' gamer or a power user. With a 160gb hard disk and 2gb of RAM, webcam and WiFi, you would be hard pressed to find something your computer can't do, short of powering a NASA space shuttle. You could even go as low as 60k for a mini netbook with the same specs, if you do not mind a smaller screen and no DVD player. 2. Specifications People always seem to get hung up on specs like processor speed, hard disk space, bluetooth, webcam and other seemingly important stuff. Manufacturers welcome this, it gives them an excuse to place high price tags on their 'high end' systems, when in actual fact, the mid-range or even 'low-end' and budget systems would do just as well. You should be concerned more with the question of what functionality you want out of your computer than with earning bragging rights for buying the latest model with all the nifty bells and whistles. What does someone who doesn't have an internet connection want with a webcam? Or a secretary with an nvidia geforce graphics adapter? If all you want to do is type your documents and watch a few movies, you certainly DO NOT need a N200,000 system. Putting your needs in proper perspective will actually help you reduce your expenditure. 3. Brand What's in a name? Well, not much, except for the fact that certain manufacturers have over the years developed reputations for building high quality systems and providing first class accessories, incentives and support and how-tos. For a newbie, you would be generally safe buying a well known brand like HP or Dell because of the safety that comes with the number of consumers who use their products. Spare parts are often readily available and upgrades/trade-ins are a breeze. If you are on the other hand more experienced and feel more adventurous, you might decide to go with less popular makes which are often cheaper and usually perform just as well as known brands. 4. Mobility Do you move around a lot and need to take your work with you? If so, you should definitely consider getting a laptop/notebook. But if you do most of your work in one place, then a desktop might be ideal, considering the fact that they are usually cheaper compared to a mobile counterpart with the same specs. For someone who is really on the go, but does not need more than basic computing functionality and internet access, then a netbook or mini is certainly the way to go. 5. Aesthetics/Ergonomics This might seem trivial, but if you are going to spend a lot of time with your computer, then you might as well buy one that you can go to bed with (yeah, really). The colour, shape and weight and component materials of your computer are very relevant. Do you want something mettalic and professional? or something more plasticky and casual. You should also consider the screen size and the keyboard's feel (is it mushy, clicky?). Try to go with something that you are comfortable with and suits your style. 6. Battery Life If you are going with a mobile computer, you need to think about how long you want your batteries to last for. If you don't move too much and can always find a convenient spot to plug into, you might not need to bother much, most laptop batteries do between two to three or more hours anyway. But if you're a roadrunner and are often on the field, then you might consider getting something with six hours or more, albeit with a higher price implication. 7. Warranty/After sales support This is one area where I cannot over-emphasise. Always buy your computers and accessories from accredited vendors who will give you a warranty for your product and undertake to provide after sales support. A computer is a fairly sensitive device, and while you might save a few bucks now by buying from some vendor who doesn't remember to write out a receipt, much less give you a warranty, you will have effectively robbed yourself of the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are covered in the event that you discover any defects which were not apparent at the point of sale. Most accredited vendors provide after sales service, often for free, and the extra cost you might incur in acquiring your system from there would be money well spent. In the computer world, you often get what you pay for.

Ok folks, that's my two cents on what you need to know before buying your computer. I'm fairly sure I've not covered everything, so please feel free to ask me anything else you need to know about the topic.