What should you look for in a new computer?

First of all, computers are not one size fits all. Depending on your use, you may want a better video card for gaming or you may want a larger hard drive for storing music, movies, and/or pictures. Special drives and ports are wanted or needed depending on your use also.

As a general rule, follow this advice for desktop computers. If the system is an all in one where it consists of a screen and a keyboard and the computer itself is contained in the screen, this may be a great option for people who are limited on space or who only have basic computer needs or use the computer for movie watching.

However, this is a nightmare for those who like to add upgrade like extra memory or disc drives at a later date because you can't really open up the system like you can a traditional desktop. Also there is less room to add drives and other upgrades.

Likewise, slim towers will limit you on space for upgrades, but they are nice for people who enjoy a slick look or want the option of laying the computer on its side (and with children, this is a plus for safety because they won't pull the tower over and have it fall on their feet or something). DO NOT set the monitor on the side of the computer. Just because it lays on its side does not mean it is strong enough to support weight of other objects. Use a monitor stand or a shelf that fits around the computer instead.

Processor: invest in a good one such as an Intel Core 2 (any model) or an AMD Alon 64 X2 (any model). This is the brain of the computer and since you wouldn't have brain surgery, why would you consider doing this to the computer later. It will not run the same, so start out with what you think you will need or better. The GHZ is the speed and a 2.2 or better is fine. Remember, the higher the number, the more power... which means it will also run hotter and produce more heat in the house and to the other computer components. (This is why computers have a cooling fan inside them) If you don't have the cache on the processor to support the GHZ it still won't run as fast as you may want. The higher the cache, the more efficient it will perform. Most are a min. of 1MB... look for 2 or better. If you are gaming you may want one that is a 3 or 4 or higher with 2.5 or higher on GHZ

RAM: This is NOT your storage space. This is what the computer uses to open files and run applications. The more RAM you have, the faster applications can run. RAM works sort of in conjunction with the processor so if you have a fast processor, you will want to increase the RAM to help boost the speed. If you have maxed out the RAM and have a slower processor your computer will still run slow. For most users, due to the more powerful and larger operating systems, 2 GB of RAM is recommended. If you are still running XP, 1GB will be more than enough to keep you happy. Windows 7 is even bigger than Vista, so now you will see up to 12 GB of RAM available in home systems. No normal user - even gamers, will really need this much RAM. If you think you want RAM for media files and gaming, 4-6 is still plenty (look at the processor instead)

Hard drive space: This is your storage space. Think of it as your file cabinet. The bigger the hard drive, the more files will fit. It also stores your operating system and any programs you may run on it. In the old days, people had a 10GB hard drive and thought that was huge. These days with music, movies, and photographs, people are wanting more space. The average system comes with a minimum of 250 GB which is a healthy size. If you take zillions of photographs or store movies you may want to increase the size to 500GB or even bigger. The good news is that if you buy a system that doesn't have enough hard drive space to store all of your "stuff" then you can purchase a good sized external hard drive that will plug into your USB port and give you plenty of extra space for under $100. This is a good idea anyway, as you can use external hard drives to back up your files and protect them from being lost or damaged in electrical storms.

Video Cards: I confess, I am not a gamer so I do not keep up on the latest video cards. However, for the average user or people who do not want real time play on action games, an integrated video card will suffice. If you use your computer for watching movies on a regular basis or for occasional gaming, you will want to get a dedicated video card. This simply means the card is separate from the motherboard and runs on its own RAM rather than using the system's resources. Translation: its faster. The dedicated video cards will have a faster response time (just like in a TV. If you go for the dedicated card, get a minimum of 256MB and if you do game or watch movies, a 512 is better. For the hard core gamers, you will want to check out Nevada's latest and greatest. They have some that are dual 512 and so on. For the photographer... you will do fine with an integrated or else a dedicated 256MB.

Accessories = "Peripherals" in sale associates terms: This is a personal preference. Not everyone even wants speakers. If you aren't watching movies, listening to music, or using a web cam with a microphone, you may not care about hearing sound from the computer. You can always buy some later - they don't have to match your computer. However, if you purchase a flat screen monitor, it may be worth it to go ahead and buy the matching flat screen attachable sound bar, though, because these usually have some compatibility issues with fitting onto the monitor. Otherwise, worry about the accessories later when you know what you will really want and use.
Also, before you buy a printer, realize that all printers are inexpensive to manufacture and the company makes its real money on the INK you buy. So consider the price of the ink cartridges BEFORE you buy the printer. Not all ink cartridges are the same and not all of them have to be outrageously expensive. Find what you want in a printer (speed, color, photos, paper size, etc) and find different brands that offer these features... then go price the ink for each before you make your purchase decision.

My best shopping tip to tell anyone who is looking to save money and doesn't need to customize their computer is to shop the outlets at various computer suppliers. I don't mean a big bargain barn you can walk into and go up and down the aisles. I am talking about going on line to the outlet stores. Hp has one, Dell has one, and Apple even has one. Here you can find systems that have been ordered and canceled - too late to stop building them or else delivery was refused and so these systems are completely brand new and never touched by consumer hands; or else they are considered "scratch and dent" which means they might have a little paint chip or scratch on the side so it was returned without ever being used by a consumer; OR there are the refurbished systems which have been checked to make sure they operate correctly and if something (such as a video card) wasn't working properly, a new part was installed and checked to make certain it now operates as it should. You can find awesome deals here. I am partial to dell.com/outlet in the home office side.

I recently found a computer for a friend of mine that was listed as "previously purchased new" and had 8GB RAM with a 500GB hard drive and a DVD +/-RE drive for $449 before tax and the shipping was free. Granted it didn't include a monitor, but the monitors that are returned unopened and in perfectly good condition can't be sold as new once they ship out, so they too are sold on the outlet. I bought a 22" wide screen LCD HDCP monitor for $119 before tax. Goggle "dell desktop coupons" or even "Dell laptop coupons" before you buy a Dell (and try this for the other brands also) and you can find awesome savings that aren't readily advertised. Also, Black Friday computers sales are often a great deal. But do your homework ahead of time and don't get sweet talked into a big flashy system that is more computer than you need or will ever use.

What is a shiny new corvette this year and costs $900 will be next year's Taurus and not worth $300. If you ask a friend's advice, most often they will steer you toward THEIR dream computer, because it's what they have researched and know. Do your own checking and be well informed.

Yes there are many things we should look for but the most important of all these are memory space. Rest all the other requirements have properly been mentioned above.

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