For many people, shopping for a new computer can be intimidating. Recommended brands and optimum specs are a moving target, so even if you used to know which specifications to look for in a computer, it may have changed since your last purchase.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all way of selecting the “right” computer. What you need depends entirely on your own preferences and how you plan to use the computer. In this post, we’ll present a basic list of questions whose answers will help guide your computer shopping experience. We’ll also note some common pitfalls in the purchasing process.
The Big Questions
We’ll start by addressing the major questions, then narrow down from there.
- Desktop or laptop? – While it seems many folks opt for laptops these days, desktop computers still have their place. In general, desktops are more ergonomically friendly and have more processing power, but aren’t portable. Cord management can be eased by using an “all-in-one” computer. Laptops are more convenient, but may lack sufficient ports for all of the peripherals you want to plug in.
- Windows, Mac, or Chromebook? – Each has its pros and cons. For example, Macs excel at video and graphic applications, while Chromebooks offer budget-friendly options. Because Windows is widely used in business, many are already familiar with the operating system. Windows 11 Home vs. Windows 11 Pro would likely only make a difference to power users. This can also boil down to what platform supports the software you need most.
- Screen size – This mostly affects laptop purchases, as you can pair almost any size monitor with a desktop. Laptop screens are getting smaller, with 14″ being the most common size. I find this to be too small, and always opt for a 15.6″ or larger screen on a laptop. Larger may be better for you, too, if your computer tasks are more easily accomplished by splitting your screen to show two windows at once.
- Touchscreen? It adds to the price, but some people find a touchscreen easier to use than a mouse.
Fine-Tuning Your Choice
Here are some other questions to ask yourself:
- For a laptop, do you need a separate number pad? Some folks rely on it.
- For a laptop, is it important to you that the mousepad has physical buttons to click? I know someone who didn’t know this was a thing and was very disappointed when his new laptop had him press the left or right side of the mousepad instead of an actual button.
- Do you need more login options beyond the standard PIN or password, such as Face ID or fingerprint?
- Do you need to plug in a network (Ethernet) cable? Many new laptops do not come with Ethernet jacks.
- How many USB ports do you need? What type? This will depend on the peripherals you want to connect and whether they use the older USB-A plug or the newer (smaller) USB-C. Keep in mind that many peripherals, such as printers, earphones, mice, and external keyboards, can be used over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
- Other accessories/ports – it’s nearly impossible to get a computer with an internal CD or DVD player. If you need either, assume you’ll need a USB port for that. Do you want an HDMI output to connect to your TV (or second monitor)? You can still get some with SD slots, but you could opt for an external SD card reader instead.
- Storage – How many GB (or TB) of file storage space do you need? In my opinion, the more storage, the better. That way, you’ll never have to choose between uninstalling an app or getting that next Windows update.
- RAM – Currently, 16 MB and 32 MB are the most popular RAM size offerings. 16 MB is sufficient for typical computing. 32 MB can help you get more life out of your computer as future apps require more resources to run. If you are buying a gaming computer, you’ll want more RAM to keep the games from lagging
- Processor – People can have pretty strong feelings about Intel vs. AMD processors (PC). Intel’s generational naming conventions can be confusing. If you’re buying a new computer, chances are good that the processor is sufficient for most tasks. Again, gamers will need a processor with the latest and greatest specifications.
Random Suggestions for Shopping
- Regardless of which computer platform you choose, confirm the hard drive is an SSD (solid state drive) and not an HDD (hard disk drive). SSD is faster and more reliable. HDD is an older technology and fails more often.
- If you’re shopping online, buy the computer directly from the manufacturer. As convenient as Amazon and other third-party retailers can be, not all sellers can be trusted. Some solid computer brands include Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Acer.
- If you prefer to shop in person and get assistance from a store employee, there is probably a Best Buy near you that can help. While I can’t guarantee that all stores/staff are totally knowledgeable (and I’m not officially endorsing them), Best Buy is one of the few places you can go in person to purchase and ask questions. I also used to mention Circuit City, Radio Shack, and Nobody Beats the Wiz, but they are all history (or widely scattered) now. Of course, there is always a risk that a salesperson will try to sell you something you don’t need.
- If you want to shop in person but don’t want assistance from a knowledgeable staff member, Walmart and Target have small electronics sections that usually contain laptops.
- If you plan to purchase a perpetual copy of Microsoft Office (a one-time purchase rather than a subscription), this can often be done during the computer purchase process. From my experience, the price is the same as it would be to purchase Office directly from Microsoft. You can save yourself a step here.
- When a new model of computer is released, sometimes the older model gets a steep price cut. Keep an eye out for these deals.
Summary
Recommendations for a computer purchase are as individual as the person making the purchase. The information in this post can help you decide what you need in a computer without overbuying, while avoiding pitfalls in purchasing.
If you have questions that I didn’t address in this article, please let me know in the contact form and I’ll find answers for you.
