Things to check out for when buying a computer

Computer is a must have for every family, the must is not by the law, but to keep up with the latest technology, with the help of computer now, we don’t have to go to the mall all the time, we don’t have to travel all around the world before we could meet new people, we can now run a paperless office, and we don’t have to carry all those big leather bags containing our documents all around, now everybody would say i need a computer, thanks to the computer age. There are a lot of computers out there, performing different functions, but when it comes to buying good computer, it is not everybody that knows what they should look out for when buying there computer, so in this article I shall be talking about things to check out for when buying your computer, in other to make the right choice. Because I have found different people, buying computers and after a short period of time, they are back in the market, looking for another computer, either the computer they bought earlier does not suite their purpose, or the computer is not functioning very well., for you not to be a victim read through this computer buying tips

WHAT TYPE OF COMPUTER DO YOU WANT?

As a said earlier there are different types of computer, and they are classified mainly about what function you want them to perform, if you are planning t be using your computer for typing documents, browse the internet and listen to music, the configuration you would go for would be different from another person that want to be using his computer to keep database records, likewise the configuration will be different to that of the person planning to be using his/her computer for software designing and programming.

So before setting out to the store, make a decision about what type of function you want your computer to perform, this will help you determine the type of hardware that will make up your computer. I shall be listing out what to look for in a computer, before getting your computer.

1. The Hard disk: This is the most important hardware, because, this is the place where all the information you will be putting on your computer will be stored, the hard disk comes in different size, ranging from 10 gigabyte to 100 gigabyte, and the prize also increases as the size increase, so this is where to make decision on which type of hard disk you want for your computer, if you would be using the computer for typing documents, browsing the internet, listening to music and watching movies, you would not be needing a hard disk with a lot of space, I will advice you go for hard disk within the range of 10Gb to 20Gb, but for people that would be using there computer for something more complex, like keeping database records, software designing and programming, you would want your computer to run as fast as it can and this can only happen If there is sufficient space on your computer, so I will advice you to go for hard disk within the range of 50Gb to 100Gb. Hard disk are produced by different companies, but I don’t see any basic different within hard disk either it is produced by COMPAQ or GATEWAY or HP all that matters most is the size, so I cant decide a specific brand name for you, all that matters most is the disk size
2. Random Access Memory (RAM): In a desktop computer there are three slots for you into insert the RAM, ant the RAM comes in different size which are 64mb, 128mb, 256mb, 512mb to 1Gb, you can decide to combine three 64mb to make 192mb, or you can combine two 128mb to make 256mb, it’s just all about simple mathematics, but the most important thing to take note is that your computer cannot start up without the presence of a RAM, and to decide the size of RAM to use, it also depends on what you will be using your computer for, if you will be using it for simple/elementary purpose I would advice you to get a RAM within the range of 64mb to 256mb, but if you are into programming or something more complex, I will advice you to go for RAM within the range of 512mb to 1gb, above all nobody wants to own a sluggish computer, and the ability of a computer to run very fast depends on the size of RAM you have in your computer.
3. The ROM/ RW: The ROM stands for Read Only Memory and the RW stand for Re Writable, those terms is associated with the DVD/CD hard ware that comes with you computer, you can decide on which media hard ware that you want to use with your computer, if you would like to be watching DVD disk on your computer you will have to go for the DVD hardware, likewise if you would like to be playing only CD, then you would have to go for the CD hard ware, the major advantage of DVD over the CD is that you can Use your DVD hardware to play CD disk too. So let’s talk about the ROM/RW thing, the DVD and CD hardware comes in two form, is either you own a CD-ROM/CD-RW OR DVD-ROM/DVD-RW, the main different is that when you are using a RW- you will have the ability to erase or add more data to the disc, you can even create your own special collection on a disk. It is not a must to buy the RW- but a lot of people including myself find it more useful than the ROM, because all you can do with the ROM is to play the data only, therefore deciding on which type of Media hardware you want also depends on what you will be using your computer for, I will advice a DVD/CD RW for a programmer and software designers and gamers, another important thing to take not about this hardware is their running speed, the higher the running speed the faster it plays of copy the disk, the minimum speed is 1X while the maximum 4X.
4. The Monitor, mouse and the keyboard: This are also highly important hardwares that are responsible for the proper functioning of the computer, The keyboard serves as the input unit, a standard keyboard is made up of 106 keys, it is important to check if the keyboard is compatible with your computer, the mouse is also an important hardware and there are different types of mouse, the most common ones are the optical mouse and the wireless mouse, optical mouse are simple, fashionable and easy to use, wireless mouse is also easy to use, but not allcomputers can use the wireless mouse, you must have the bluetooth connection hardware on your computer for you to be able to use it. The monitor, is the display unit of the computer, it is good to know that monitors comes in different size and different screen resolutions, the higher the inches the wider your view, it is also important to know that the better the quality the higher the price.
5. PORTS: There are different port present within the computer, the main function of this port is to help you connect external hardware to your computer, therefore i shall be listing out the average number of port that should be present in your computer

(a)Two USB port.

(b) The monitor Port

(c) The mouse and keyboard Port

(d) Two LAN Port

(e) The printer Port

(d) The power port

(f) The headphone and Microphone port

(g) The external speaker port

After you've confirm the presence of this things in your computer, it is highly advisable to ask for some months guarantee, so that you can always take it back to them if you have any problem.

Thanks for taking your time in reading this article, goodluck in your purchase.