The holidays have come and gone and you didn’t receive the new computer you were hinting about or if you decided to take advantage of the post-holiday sales, here are some things to think about before you make the purchase. 

Think about how you intend to use the computer and what attributes you would like.  If your level of experience is limited, and you just plan to surf the net, perform word processing and play basic games you might be completely satisfied with a more basic home system. But once you’ve had that system awhile, you may wish you’d bought something more versatile. Something with more features, like high end graphics, a CD and DVD device, expansion slots, a network interface card and a faster memory. Also, think about where you intend to use the computer. Would a PC or a Laptop best suit your needs?  No matter what comfort level you have with computers, always consider manufacturers with strong ratings in customer support and technical assistance.  

Buy the Extended Warranty.  Most of the computer equipment comes with a one-year warranty.  Did you know that for about $100 you can extend the warranty to one year to four years or more? This expenditure will pay for itself, especially for major repairs. And remember, many warranties are transferable, so if you decide to sell the computer equipment down the road, it will be worth more with the warranty. Many people replace their computers every two to three years to take advantage of new technology. Buying the extended warranty at the beginning may pay off when it’s time to upgrade. For additional information on extended warranties, Please click here 

Go Wireless.  At the very minimum, consider getting a wireless keyboard and mouse. For a list of wireless keyboards available, Please click here. They work really well and can make using your computer that much easier. 

Backup!!! Think about getting a CDRW drive. CDRW stands for CD-Rom re-Writeable Drive.  They not only make  backup easy, you can make CD-ROMS of images for easy sharing with others. They are very common and very inexpensive (you can purchase one pre-installed with most computers, although you may have to ask for it). Please Note: The warranty only covers hardware. If you mess up your data files because of a virus or other software problems, you’re on your own. 

Get a second opinion.  Before you do purchase your new computer, talk to an expert you can trust.  Ask questions and ask for advice on the computer and other devices you’re thinking of buying. Narrow the list to two or three specific makes and models and then look for the best prices available.  For more information on computer buying guides, please visit these Web sites. Viewz.com or Savyshopping.net 

A word to the wise. Some programs that come on your new computer will be trial versions and may expire after 90 days.  It’s a great way to see if the software packages are things you’ll want to keep. But watch for important software like Anti Virus programs that you definitely want to continue past the initial trial. 

And finally, make a checklist of what’s on your old computer so when you bring the new one home you can check off as you install the software you use and import the data from your old system.