If you’re planning to get a new computer these days, it can be overwhelming to see the sheer number of options available in the market. It’s easy to get swayed by flashy marketing and trending feature advancements of the current moment. But what this leads to, more often than not, is a less-than-ideal purchase decision.
If you’re in the same boat and are looking for some tips that might help you reach a better decision, this article is for you.
Tip#1: Be clear about what your needs are
It’s always ideal to have a clear idea of what your needs are with regard to what you wish to get out of a computer. If you’re a digital minimalist who wishes to minimize your digital presence to the maximum, it might be ideal for getting a desktop computer as opposed to a laptop. This is because you might like to be more intentional with how you interact with technology and have demarcated areas for doing work or other computer-related activities.
Or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, you might be someone who is interested in all things technology. You’re constantly on the lookout for the latest feature update or the fastest processor chip out there. Also, you’re on the move regularly and would like to have your tech items accessible at all times. If this is you, it’s good to know that you want this out of a computer beforehand.
As an example, you might simply want extensive customization capabilities from your OS. You want to hide icons, and play around with the settings of the UI and customize it to your liking. The question then would be: Does the computer that I’ll be getting offer this functionality? You can then weigh your options accordingly and reach a decision suited to your needs.
If you’re a Mac user wondering how icons can be hidden on macOS check setapp.com for more information on the subject.
Tip#2: Determine your choice based on processing needs
It’s important before you set out to get a new computer to think about the processing demands you will place on it. Are you going to be using your computer only for work-related activities? Or will you additionally use it for editing videos and putting together songs on a digital audio workstation? If it is the former, your processing power requirements would be on the lower end. And for the latter, you will require a more powerful chip that will be able to handle things like video and audio rendering easily.
While there are plenty of options with regards to the processing chips that come in laptops, any quad-core processor should be your starting point. Dual-core processors, while usable for low-demand computer activities, won’t cut it for the kind of computer usage that most of us do today.
Tip#3: Choose your computer screen size appropriately
Your choice of screen size will again depend upon what you intend to use the laptop for. The usual options for laptops come in three different size ranges: 10-13 inches, 14-16 inches, and finally 17-18 inches. With a standalone desktop computer, the screen size will obviously be larger.
If you’re a gamer who prefers clarity and can make use of a top-end graphics card, investing in a bigger monitor makes better sense. If you’re a working professional who will be on the move regularly, a smaller-sized laptop within the 10-13 inch range would be ideal.
Tip#4: Deciding between new computers vs. used
This can be a tricky decision to make. We all prefer to get new devices—given that they come with the certainty of not having any defects—and in the rare cases that they do, a company-provided warranty can be used to get a new one or get your money back.
It may take some time to get accustomed to the idea of buying a used device. While there are potential disadvantages to doing this, the amount of money that you can save if you buy a used computer from a reliable seller is a big upside. If you feel like you’re a computer user who only requires a few core functionalities, investing in a used computer as opposed to getting a new one packed with the latest features might be a better option. But it’s important to do your due diligence before you get the particular used laptop/computer.
If you’re a Macbook user thinking about upgrading to some of the latest Macbooks out in the market (it could either be used or new), figure out whether it is the right time to do that.
Follow these 4 tips and weigh out your options properly before you reach a decision. We hope that this guide gives you some useful things to consider before you buy your new computer.
