1ComputerCare does not sell computers, but years of advising prospective buyers and seeing the consequences of bad buying choices allows the following comments to be made authoritatively.

Three most important suggestions.

1.  Get advice from an independent expert before choosing. 

• Technology changes very quickly and you should avoid buying stock that is about to become obsolete and unsupported.
   

• Taking advice on which configuration of components is the most appropriate for you is very important as one size does not fit all: some people would benefit from an expensive graphics card where others would be better advised spending the money on a more powerful than average CPU.  Even if you pay for the advice, it will be cheaper in the long term than having a PC that is not fully used due to being inappropriate for your use.
   

• Choose an expert who will be around a year after you took their advice.  Buying on the suggestion of a young shop salesman who finishes work at 5pm and moves on to another job next month will not give you the personal care and attention that will come from a self employed person looking to foster a long term client.

2.  Don't buy off-the-shelf from a local shop, chain store or online dealer.

Except in very rare circumstances, a computer that is not custom designed for the individual will cost more - certainly in the long term, but often from day one (see my blog entry).  There are many reasons for this, click here to see a selection.   Probably the main one is that you will end up with a copy of Windows that, when it fails, can only be repaired using the manufacturer's own CDs and they may not be available or may simply delete all your documents, photos and music and reinstall from scratch.  I see an example of this almost every week.

Thinking of buying a new computer from a store ?  Read Stephen's story or Debbie's story

3.  Be aware of the pros and cons of different sizes.

There are two other common form factors: hand held devices such as PDAs or smart phones, and mini-PCs where the computer sits behind and is bolted to the monitor screen, or there is no display and they are used as media hubs connected to a TV.

However, the single best tip is to have a proper requirements analysis and costed specification prepared before you buy, as that ensures you have a PC with the power necessary for the programs you want to run, without wasting money on items you would never use.  This is not expensive but must be done by someone who

• understands the technicalities of what is available in a very quickly changing market

• has an incentive to provide what is best for the use you intend putting the computer to in the, possibly 6 years you should expect to get useful service from a PC. 

• is personally contactable in the weeks and months ahead to help resolve the day-to-day problems that arise with all computers. 

• understands jargon but speaks plain English

1ComputerCare meets all these criteria; please read the frequently asked questions about buying with 1ComputerCare's help.

If you are not sure whether it would be better to upgrade your existing PC or buy a new one, then let us advise.  Sometimes buying a new shell and adding some components of your existing system is the best course, other times retaining your case and replacing a few components is a relatively cheap way to boost the machine's performance and extend its life.  Our requirements analysis will lead you to the best solution for you.  Probably the most important message here is to take advice before you buy anything - hardware, software or ISP services.  Mistakes are often costly.  And remember that in the long term, buying a ready made computer is almost never cheaper than having one tailor made to suit you.