If you are in the market for a new computer, you want to avoid overpaying money for a lackluster device. It helps when you have a lot of technical knowledge related to computers, but what about those people who are planning to purchase their first computer?
There are certain things that you need to take into consideration before making the final decision. The purpose of this article is to cover the most important aspects of buying a new computer.
Laptop vs. Desktop
The first thing to consider is whether you need a laptop or a desktop computer. Between the two, there are clear differences when it comes to advantages and disadvantages.
For one, laptops are compact and portable. If you have to travel a lot and need to take your computer with you, then a laptop is the obvious choice.
Some people might not like the fact that they need to keep an eye on a laptop’s battery, but it is a small problem considering what you are getting for your investment.
Desktop computers are common for home use or offices. In other words, so long as you do not need to carry a computer with you, it is better to stick to a desktop setup.
You get better overall hardware on a desktop computer rather than a laptop by paying the same price in exchange for sacrificing the portability. Desktop computers are also easier to modify hardware-wise, meaning that you will have fewer issues in the future when you want to change individual hardware pieces.
Finally, you will find cleaning the dust inside a desktop computer case more convenient compared to laptops. Taking a laptop apart is risky and requires specific knowledge. Otherwise, you risk damaging the device.
Overall, between laptops and desktop computers, the choice comes to your needs.
Operating System
Out of all major operating systems, MS Windows is by far the most popular option. If you are already familiar with it or want something simple to use, then MS Windows should be your choice as well.
On the off chance that you are tired of using MS Windows and want something new, macOS and Linux are something to consider. Both of these operating systems have interesting features and other gimmicks that require time to learn.
Depending on where you purchase your computer, you might need to install the operating system separately. Of course, if you buy a MacBook, it should come with the latest available macOS version (so long as the Mac model supports it).
Available Storage
Storage issues on computers are not as common these days as more and more people are sticking to external storage solutions, such as clouds and USB flash sticks or hard drives.
Nevertheless, you should be mindful of your new computer’s specifications, including total available storage.
Be sure to get a solid-state drive rather than a hard drive. The former is a much better option performance-wise, even if it can be a tad bit expensive and provide less storage on the computer.
Be mindful of the state of your computer’s drive. You can always check it and keep an eye on how many free gigabytes of space there are. As soon as you notice that there are problems, you can see which files you can remove or maybe relocate to external storage.
Computer Accessories
The computer itself does not make an entire setup, particularly if we are talking about desktop computers. Laptops are okay even if you do not have a computer mouse or a keyboard, though there are great accessories for laptops, such as cooling pads and external speakers or webcams.
In the case of desktop computers, you will need to invest money in a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and other potential accessories.
Take some time to research what accessories are available and which you want to have for yourself. Do not limit the options to just wireless accessories. In fact, you might want to give up on these because while the gimmick of being wireless might seem cool on paper, it gets annoying when you need to change the batteries or charge the accessories in the middle of computer use.
The Price
Ultimately, your choice comes down to how much money you can afford to spend on a new computer. As already mentioned, on average, you can get a better deal by buying a custom-built desktop computer rather than a laptop. The premium laptop fee, if you can call it that, is there because you get a portable device.
Computer maintenance should also be something to consider as you want to be sure about not having your computer’s performance drop too soon after just purchasing it. You can check the video below to learn some basic tips about keeping your computer in good condition and experiencing fewer struggles with the overall device performance.
There are a few ways to rejuvenate most PCs or laptops that are too old to run the latest operating systems. And you can try these methods to fix a sluggish computer.
