Buying a Computer 35793 40084
Buying a Computer
By: Cynthia Garcia
Comm.165 MWF 11-11:50
Fall 2005
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Some Considerations
Evaluate:
What will the computer be used for?
Who
will be using it?
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Shopping Around
Student discounts (i.e. Dell and Mac)
Compare Electronic stores
Best Buy, Circuit City, Comp. USA and other
stores online ( keep in mind that some of
these stores do offer good deals if you tell
them one store offered you less for the same
comp. system)
Look for package deals where if you buy the
computer system it comes with a free printer,
etc.
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Ask Questions
The more the better, you should know:
How much memory What can the Computer do? Burn CD’s/DVD’s
play movies video games
Learn computer terminology (i.e. bytes,
megabytes, ram, etc.
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Adequate location
Where do I place my computer?
This depends on whose going to use it,
(children, other family members) maybe family room, living room
Low humidity
No direct sunlight
Away from heat vents
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Computer Maintenance tips:
1. Never, never, turn your computer off with the power switch until Windows has shut down.
2. I highly recommend that you purchase an UPS (uninteruptable
power supply) for your computer. This will keep your computer from crashing during power outages, and will protect your computer from low and high voltage occurrences.
3. Backup
4. Run Scandisk and Defragment at least once a month. This will
keep your hard drive healthy and prevent crashes.
5. Never unplug peripherals from the computer when it is powered up
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Maintenance tips cont.
6. Do keep at least 100 MBs of your C: drive free for Windows to use.
7. Do not let a lot of programs load up when you start your computer.
8. Do use a virus checker regularly
9. If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a firewall program. A firewall program keeps those who want to hijack your computer from gaining access to your system.
10. Keep track of the software disks you receive with your computer and new peripherals.
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Protecting your Computer
Warranty and Extended Service Plans
Look for a computer with a warranty that covers
manufacturing defects and other problems. Make sure you understand exactly what is covered under the warranty. Most new computers are covered for a year, and some warranties include on-site
maintenance.
Many retailers offer extended service agreements
which, in essence, lengthen the warranty. Whether or not you purchase an extended service plan is up to you. Find out what is covered and weigh the price of the warranty against the price of potential repairs.
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Sources that can help
http://www.cyberwalker.com/buyacomputer/worksheet.html
This website contains a full checklist worksheet of things you can
check for while shopping around
PAMPHLETS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The quarterly Consumer Information Center Catalog lists more than
200 helpful federal publications. For your free copy, write:
Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009, call 1-888/8-PUEBLO or find the catalog on the Net at http://
www.pueblo.gsa.gov
INTERNET INFORMATION
If you're on the Net, check us out. We're part of MetLife Online (
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Conclusion
Evaluating, to figure out what your needs will
be and to set a budget
Shopping around for best deals
Asking Questions (knowing terminology,
warranties,etc.)
Where to place your computer Maintenance tips
Protecting your computer (warranties) Sources
(1)
Adequate location
Where do I place my computer?
This depends on whose going to use it,
(children, other family members) maybe family
room, living room
Low humidity
No direct sunlight
Away from heat vents
(2)
Computer Maintenance tips:
1. Never, never, turn your computer off with the power switch until
Windows has shut down.
2. I highly recommend that you purchase an UPS (uninteruptable
power supply) for your computer. This will keep your computer from crashing during power outages, and will protect your computer from low and high voltage occurrences.
3. Backup
4. Run Scandisk and Defragment at least once a month. This will
keep your hard drive healthy and prevent crashes.
5. Never unplug peripherals from the computer when it is powered
(3)
Maintenance tips cont.
6.
Do keep at least 100 MBs of your C: drive free
for
Windows to use.
7.
Do not let a lot of programs load up when you start your
computer
.
8.
Do use a virus checker regularly
9.
If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a
firewall program
. A firewall program keeps those who want to
hijack your computer from gaining access to your system.
10.
Keep track of the software disks you receive
with your
computer and new peripherals.
(4)
Protecting your Computer
Warranty and Extended Service Plans
Look for a computer with a warranty that covers
manufacturing defects and other problems. Make
sure you understand exactly what is covered under
the warranty. Most new computers are covered for a
year, and some warranties include on-site
maintenance.
Many retailers offer extended service agreements
which, in essence, lengthen the warranty. Whether or
not you purchase an extended service plan is up to
you. Find out what is covered and weigh the price of
the warranty against the price of potential repairs.
(5)
Sources that can help
http://www.cyberwalker.com/buyacomputer/worksheet.html
This website contains a full checklist worksheet of things you can
check for while shopping around
PAMPHLETS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The quarterly Consumer Information Center Catalog lists more than
200 helpful federal publications. For your free copy, write:
Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009, call 1-888/8-PUEBLO or find the catalog on the Net at http://
www.pueblo.gsa.gov
INTERNET INFORMATION
If you're on the Net, check us out. We're part of MetLife Online (
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