How to Understand New Computer Pricing: 5 Steps

How to Understand New Computer Pricing: 5 Steps

Want to buy a new computer, but overwhelmed by all the different options and fancy jargon? Not really sure what to buy? This article will teach you how to understand the differences in pricing on new computers.

Steps

1. Look at the different measurements. No, not inches, GHz or MHz and GB or MB. The numbers are there for a reason-- They're meant to convey the limits of the computer. Don't be fooled though, just because the numbers are higher does NOT mean that the computer is better. For example, a Pentium 4 isn't going to be as good as a Core i3.

2. Learn what all the numbers mean:

• Hertz(Hz) are the measurement of electrical frequency. What does that mean? One hertz means that the processor in question processes one cycle per second. When you see GHz, it's short for Gigahertz, which means that the processor process one billion(1,000,000,000) cycles in a second. Most computers have between 2.0 and 3.5 GHz processors. Higher is usually better here, unless you're talking about the model or type of processor. Sometimes that can be misleading.
• Bits are the individual ones and zeros used by the computer to store information in binary code. Bytes are sequences of 8 bits. When you see GB, or gigabyte, that means 1,000,000,000 bytes of information. What does that have to do with you?
• When speaking in terms of RAM, or more commonly called 'memory', a higher number means that the computer can handle larger programs running at one time.
• When speaking in terms of hard drive(Also known as HDD, hard disk drive) space, the higher the number, the more stuff you can actually put onto the computer, storage-wise. More music, photos, movies, programs, you name it.

3. Operating system. Most computers you buy today come with Microsoft Windows. There are different versions of Windows(and there are also other options, some being Mac OS X, and some being free options such as Linux), each with their own prices and features:

• Windows XP. This option is still sold in some areas with computers, and although it's almost ten years old, some still argue that it's Microsoft's single greatest product, ever created. Usually, this will be the cheapest option.
• Windows Vista. Computers are no longer sold with Vista, as Microsoft made a large number of mistakes with Vista, and thus discontinued it, as well as support for it.
• Windows 7 Starter Edition. This edition is made to be lighter-weight, and take up less space, usually used on netbooks and smaller, less-powerful computers. This isn't the option for people who like to change things, as usually, the ability to even change the wallpaper is disabled. Usually the cheapest option.
• Windows 7 Enterprise Edition. This option is made for company use-- If you have a company and you're buying computers for your employees, this is most likely the option you want to go with, due to features made for company security and monitoring. Also has a lack of personalization. One of the cheaper options, but not available in retail.
• Windows 7 Home Premium. Home premium is the edition that's created for home users, who don't do very much besides surf the web and perhaps play games. This is the recommended version, if the user wants Windows 7, because it has more customization options and better support than the others, and is one of the cheaper editions.
• Windows 7 Professional. This is the option with a good balance of customization and power. Better for individuals who own their own businesses or who work on computers for a living, due to the increased performance and work-ability. Slightly more expensive, but has more features.
• Windows 7 Ultimate. This option is the option for those who want to do anything and everything. There are no restrictions from the features of the other two, but with more security features and the best support from Microsoft. The most expensive of the versions.
• GNU/Linux. These operating systems are usually not available from stores. Linux and similar open source operating systems are free, but lack in tech support. Although there's no centralized support structure, the Linux community is always on-hand. Linux is for those who enjoy ripping stuff apart and putting it back together their own way.
• Mac/Apple. We're talking about pricing here, so the main thing you're worried about is why it's so expensive. Apple, though they do things in very different ways than Microsoft, don't have the best track record in tech support with their computers. Although, I personally have a Mac, and it's the computer I go for tech support for the least, so that is all based on user choice. What you're paying for is the fact that Apple MAKES all their parts, rather than buying them, and thus, their products are usually better made and work better.

4. Capabilities. Get to know the capabilities of the computer. Read reviews, read tech support forums that tell common problems, read everything you can on the computer you're interested in. If something has a good record with being a reliable, robust product, then it's usually going to have positive feedback in the comments or support forums.

5. Keep in mind all extra features/options the computer may have. Some come with webcams, some come with fingerprint scanners, others come with a hard drive that is shock-absorbing to prevent damage. Look for HDMI outputs, extra USB ports, warranties, anything that can add-on to the price, and ask yourself if you need it.

Tips

• If you're shopping in a store such as Best Buy or Radio Shack, ask around. Ask the store clerks if they know anything about the computers. Tell them what you want to do with the computer, and ask them what they would get for it.
• If you shop online, go to places that have a good reputation, such as NewEgg or other discounted sites that can get you good prices on computers and computer parts.
• Don't always go with your first instinct, look around and see what options are available.

Warnings

• Avoid shopping on sites such as Craigslist for electronics, unless you plan on checking it out before buying it somewhere. Many of the advertisements you see for cheap computers, will give you what you pay for, which most of the time isn't much.
• Avoid dealing with small businesses unless you know the owner(s).
• Avoid flashy nicknames and strange labels for products, such as the "WonderPrint Scanner" or similar. Most of them are just there to cover up a sub-par product.