A guide to choosing family home computers

Choosing a family computer can be a significant and relatively long-term investment, so it is a good idea to know that you are getting the right machine for your needs, both now, and in the future. Below is a short guide to help buyers get the right desktop or laptop computers at the right price.

Questions to ask yourself

First of all, it is important to consider the different applications that family members will use the computer for. Gaming, portability, business, and multimedia applications may all need to be balanced within a specific budget, so start with the simplest question. Do we need a laptop or desktop? Desktops are generally less expensive than a comparable machine, have less issues with heat and parts replacement, and are more likely to meet the diverse needs of a group of people, but they sacrifice a laptop's portability, which may be important if the machine is going to have school or business use, or if the family travels frequently. What will the computer be asked to do? If no one in the family is going to be doing anything except surfing the net and checking email, this is simple. Any computer will do the job, but if the machine is going to be used for gaming, multimedia, or certain business applications, it will be necessary to pick a machine with the proper processor and video card to meet those needs.
Keep in mind here that it is a good idea to choose a machine that is more powerful than currently needed, so that it will remain viable as programs and applications evolve. What peripherals will you need? This can be a very good area to save money if you already own various pieces of equipment such as printers, scanners, and monitors. If you find that you already have all the peripherals that you will need, simply buying the computer itself instead of a package, will allow you much greater flexibility.

How to get the best price

As mentioned above, avoiding payment for unnecessary equipment can save a great deal of money, but an even more effective way to get the best price is through discount or auction sites such as eBay or Tiger Direct. Even if you prefer to buy the computer from a physical retailer, using these sites to compare prices of various computers on sale, and getting an idea of how much customised computers cost, will make you a far more educated buyer when you go to make your purchase.
As an added benefit, it will give you an idea of how much your current computer is worth, and may allow you to recuperate part of the cost of the new machine.