Buying A New Computer

Buying a new computer can be a very stressful event. The team here at Be Your Own IT has given you a little food for thought to help make the process a lot easier and not to mention help save you some cash on your next computer purchase by making the right decisions.

1.What Do I “Need”

This is the most important question possible when purchasing a computer, and really when making any major purchase. Although upgrading computers is pretty easy, missing a critical feature you need, can turn your purchase into an expensive boat anchor if your not careful.
The key is really being honest with yourself, a couple of things I suggest you do are:

-Make a list of everything you currently do on your computer
-Decide to what degree you are satisfied with each in regards to performance
-Profile your current computer (if you have one)

To explain:
By making a list of everything you currently do on your PC this will expose with you will need to continue being able to do on your new computer. If you burn CD’s you know you will need a burner. If you game, you know you will need a high-end video card on your new computer. It’s just a good and complete way to itemize your needs.

By deciding to what degree everything is performing, it allows you to know where to want to “beef things up” if your games run slow, consider a better video card, if while your editing photo’s things slow down, make sure you have enough RAM in the new computer.


By profiling your current computer you get a good idea on the landscape of what you have now. So for example if you have a 1Ghz computer with 256MB of RAM, you can keep that in mind when you upgrade to whatever it may be. (if you considering crossing to the MAC world I don’t have many tips for you)

2.What Do I “Want”

Now here is where the fun starts. Try to keep yourself in check but start by making a wish list. If you really want to make sure you get everything you want just keep in mind once you get into the want category the price sticker starts shooting up pretty quickly. That said, if you want to be able to burn DVD’s make sure you list a DVD burner or if you want to edit a lot of video, make sure you have a huge hard drive. I usually recommend building a couple different options on newegg or if you prefer on dells website to give you an idea how the pricing will move.


Also while in the want category make sure you give ample thought to what you may be wanting to do in the future. I am not saying 5 or even 10 years, but say 2-3. Make sure you consider this when buying your computer. Spending a little more today to get the features you need now can save you a lot of cash in the future.


I realize if you could see into the future you would already be running your own “800” line and certainly wouldn’t need my tips on purchasing a computer but give it at least a little thought. Say for example, you just bought a digital camera but haven’t really started using it yet, or a camcorder for that matter. You may want to purchase a little extra hard drive space “just in case”

3.Combine wants and needs (be sensible) AKA “What Will I Get?

Now that you have made your need and your wish list: its time (in most cases) to combine the two together. If you like most of us you don’t have an unlimited budget and most of the wants will have to get axed in favor of the wallet. I really suggest only setting your heart on one or possible two wants if you need to stay reasonably priced.


That said, I should also point out depending on how old your current computer is maybe all your wants and needs will be addressed by even the most basic “Wal-Mart” special.I really don’t like making any formal endorsements and honestly I always recommend building your own computer, but if you are new at buying computers I would start with Dell. I really suggest avoiding buying any of those “Wal-Mart Specials” at all costs.

All these tips in mind, its always a good time to buy a new computer. What I am getting at is, using my father as an example (sorry dad!) he is constantly worried about buying electronics because “something better and cheaper will be out tomorrow”. That may be true but the way I look at it is this, if you addressed all you wants and needs in your purchase today “who cares!” What I mean is something better is always coming out and you shouldn’t be afraid to jump in the pool at some point and always remember you can email us at support@beyourownit.com