Buying a New Computer

From time to time, all computer users want a new computer- that is, either a ’first’ computer, or a ’replacement’ computer. There are many options:

Brand New, Renovated or Used?

• ‘Brand New’ is best … but costs the most. Get it with along warranty.
• ‘Renovated’ means restored ‘like new’, with software disks and a warranty.
• ‘Used’ can be the worst, sometimes of unknown quality, with no disks or warranty.

Basic, Office or Gamers?

• Most home users need nothing more advanced than a ’basic’ new computer.
• People running a business may need extra speed and extra storage capacity;
• Gamers, scientists and movie makers need extreme speed and features.

Which features should your new computer include?

• USB ports: useful for attaching other devices such as memory sticks and printers;
• Floppy drive: great for shifting small files (up to 1.4 Mb) between computers;
• Memory Stick: good for moving big files (100Mb to 1Gb) between computers.
• CD/DVD ROM - reads CDs or DVDs, but cannot burn (create) them.
• CD burner: great for backing up your photos and music (up to 700Mb).
• DVD burner: ideal for backing up your entire hard drive (up to 4.7Gb)
• A built-in modem allows you to use dial-up Internet connections;
• A built-in modem allows you to use dial-up Internet connections;

With each Lesson in this Manual comes a section with exercises and/or suggestions for homework. This Lesson is no exception. But what kind of homework would be suitable for a Lesson on buying computers? We thought of sending you out to buy a dozen or two computers, just to see how it is done … but decided that mightn’t be convenient for you. (After all, where would you keep them?) So instead, we thought it would be good to focus on the way shops sell computers. Part 1: Go out and visit a few computer shops and have a look at the different computers they have on sale. Take notes of the shapes, sizes, prices and varieties. Also, gather up a collection of computer catalogues. Study theway everything is written, and take notes of the terms they use. If necessary, look up the terms on the Internet. Here are a few useful websites. The first of these provides genuinely non-tech explanations for genuinely non-tech people. The other two are http://www.tekmom.com/buzzwords/ http://www.tekmom.com/buzzwords/ http://www.sharpened.net/glossary/ Then make up a one-page dictionary of what everything means. Part 2: Think about all that you have seen. Think about how the retailerstalk about their merchandise. How much information do they give aboutwhat each computer can do, and how much do they talk aboutwhat you can do.