In the fast paced world of hi-tech computing, it can often be very confusing trying to decide what sort of a computer you want to buy. Buzzwords, technical jargon, and the latest catchphrases fly around, and it's hard to find someone who can offer clear, simple advice on what to look for when buying a computer.

What do you need?
  The first question you need to ask is, what exactly do I need the computer for? Most home or office users only need to check their emails, write documents and perhaps do up their accounts, with a limited amount of photo editing and printing. For something like this, you only need the most basic of setups. Indeed, the average computer of three years ago would be more than sufficient for your needs. We suggest you sit down and make a list of the things you will be using your computer for; this is a good start in deciding what model you will need.

New or Second Hand?
  Generally speaking, it isn't a great idea to buy a second hand machine from buy and sell or from a stranger, purely because the computer may have intermittent problems that might not be immediately obvious to you, and only crop up a month or so later. These are really cases of caveat emptor, buyer beware.

  However, with that said, there exist many good resellers of older equipment that offer reasonable support. Also you need to take into account that your computer will be out of date in a few months if you buy new anyway, and will have dropped in value considerably. On the whole, the choice of buying a new or second hand computer should be based around what you need.

Warranty Warranty Warranty
  The most important part of buying a new computer is the warranty agreement. With computers, its not a case of if something goes wrong, but rather when things go wrong. You need to have someone you can call or email to sort out problems as and when they arise. A minimum of 1 year warranty is vital, but 3 years is the standard for new computers.

Local or multinational?
  While larger multinational companies may offer the lowest prices for computer parts and computers, they tend to be somewhat impersonal when it comes to support or if problems arise. While their staff may be trained and capable of dealing with most problems, if they can't fix it over the phone, you may be left waiting a long time to get your machine working. Local or regional computer shops are usually a better bet; at least you have someone you can drop the machine into if there are problems.

Mean machines
  For people or organisations that need to do more than word processing, checking emails, and printing, a higher end machine is needed. This means the fastest computer with the most memory, a serious sound system, and a relatively good graphics card. These systems can be expensive, but you can save money if you get one custom built for your needs. Keep in mind, though, that you may be on a constant upgrade cycle every year or so if you want to keep up with the standards and play the latest 3D games.