Cheapest Computer Shopping Mall

Buying a computer is not an easy decision.  There are a lot of factors to consider other than just the price.  You have to consider your needs, the specifications of the computer, aesthetics, and a whole lot more.  And when you do get to finally decide on a computer, other decisions come into play, such as picking the best computer accessories.

There are a variety of computer accessories available in the market today.  They could be as trivial as specialty mouse pads or keyboards, while others can play a more important role.  This article will focus on giving you tips on how to pick the best computer accessories that will actually help make the most out of your computer experience.

PC Case

The computer case is one of the most important accessories you can get for your PC.  This can have a significant impact on how well your PC functions, and it also helps cool essential components in your computer.

These can either come in desktop or tower form.  In tower form, you can choose from mini, mid or full.  When choosing from these sizes, you have to consider whether you have the right space in your computer desk.  If you want to save space, then a mini-tower would do.  If you’re the type who always wants to upgrade the components of your PC, then getting a full or larger case will work for you.

Other than size, make sure the case complements your existing PC components and peripherals.  Take note of the number of slots and drive bays.  If you want to expand your PC system, then getting a case which has more drive bays would be preferable.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

If you want to be protected from power disturbances such as surges, spikes, brownouts, and blackouts that could ultimately lead to data loss and even damage to your hardware, then get a UPS system.  It is a battery back-up that keeps your system running in the event of power disturbances.

Speakers

Getting the right type of speakers will depend on your needs.  If music and sounds are very important to you, then choose speakers that produce high-quality sound.  Also consider if you have the right space in your desk to accommodate the speakers.  Setting these speakers up in the proper location would also matter.

Headsets with Built-in Microphones

If you don’t have much room for speakers, consider getting headsets with built-in microphones.  There are two types of these: the analog headsets and USB headsets.  Analog headsets come with two 3.5mm plugs for the microphone and headphone jacks in your system’s sound card.  USB headsets on the other hand, have no need for a sound card, since all you need is a USB hub, making it perfect for use in Macs and PCs.  Their mics also produce better voice quality than analog type.

USB

Having a Universal Serial Bus is something you want to consider.  It is considered to be the connection of choice, and almost all accessories use it.  In buying one, consider speed.  USB 2.0 is a high-speed one, while USB 1.1 supports lower speeds.  Make sure your PC can support high-speed USB if you plan to get one.  Getting a self-powered hub or a bus-powered hub is also something you should think about.

Buying a computer has never been an easy task.  Since you’ll be putting a huge investment into it, and you’ll be relying on it for your daily computer needs, you want to make sure you are getting the best one at a reasonable price.

But with the many brands out there, it’s easy to get confused.  Especially with the growing competition between Dell computers and HP computers, customers are becoming more finicky in choosing the right computer for their use.

Dell and HP are known to be the two top companies that lead the personal computer industry.  While Dell has a 17.4 percent market share, Hewlett-Packard is not far behind with 17.1 percent.  Although Dell has been quite the winner for the past decade, Hewlett-Packard is slowly taking back the throne from Dell.  Lately, Dell has been experiencing a lot of fallbacks with the quality of their products and their customer service.

Many users of Dell and HP computers share their experiences of using the product over the Internet, as a guide to potential customers who want to know which among the two should the get.  Below is a compilation of those user-based reviews on Dell computers vs. HP computers.

Brick and Mortar Retail Stores vs. Web Retail Outfits

In business, location and physical distribution is very important, and this is one of the few things that set Dell computers and HP computers apart.

With brick and mortar retailers that push HP computers, the potential buyers are given a first-hand experience by being in an actual store.  This gives them the exhilaration of seeing, touching, and trying the product, and in the end will lead to more temptation to buy.  And of course, when you do decide to buy the product, you get it right away, which is something you consider if time is of the essence to you.

This, opposed to Dell’s website retailers that only give you pictures and specifications on their site.  And, if you decide to get the product, you will have to wait for the computer to be shipped to you – not something most “give it to me now” buyers would want.  Dell’s multiple websites are also becoming somewhat deceptive and too time consuming to go through, since they could publish different retail prices for the same computer configuration.

Portable vs. Desktop

If you plan to get a laptop, HP products are superior.  But when it comes to desktop computers, Dell products are designed much better and they provide ample room inside the cases, a plus if you want to expand your systems.  And because of spacious cases, airflow is not a problem, unlike HP desktops which are prone to overheating because of such.

Price vs. Quality

Dell is known to give the most value-for-money price.  Because manufacturing of Dell computers is done overseas, they are able to sell their computers at a low cost.  However, there have been recent reports of Dell computers smoking and burning, and people are becoming more cautious in buying Dell products.

Customer Service

Customer service at Dell is located at India, and although they are trained to speak proper English, they might still carry an accent, which could ultimately confuse the caller.  Also, they might not understand the American culture, and could not provide total customer care satisfaction.

Today, many people consider having a computer as a must.  Whether it may be for school, work, research, or simply for recreational purposes, a computer is definitely something that most people cannot live without.

But not all people are ready to invest in such a huge sum to get a computer.  Fortunately, anyone can now buy used computers nowadays.  Used computers are of course less expensive than new ones, but can still perform and function well.  Although most people often associate used computers with bad quality, there are used computers that function as well as new ones, provided you know what to look for in one.

Assess Your Needs

Just as with any purchase decision, assess your needs before buying a used computer.  Is mobility important to you?  Will you need a personal desktop computer or a laptop?  Will you use it to simply create documents and files, or will you use it for Internet or gaming?  Also identify if you’ll need a large range of memory or not.  By determining your needs beforehand, you can better find a used computer that suits you and your budget.

Do Your Homework

It pays to do research beforehand.  If you walk in straight to a used computer store, you might get overwhelmed by the number of choices presented before you.  You’ll end up leaving the place in a more confused state.  Also, it might be annoying to have a salesperson constantly following you to bombard you with a computer’s specifications.  The best way to avoid this is to do your homework beforehand.  Do some research online so you can have an idea on what computer specs you will be buying.  This way, when you leave your house, you will have a more definite picture on what you’ll be buying, and will more likely end up buying what you need.

Go for Brick and Mortar Shops

Although you can do your research online, it’s sometimes best to buy the actual product on land based shops.  This way, you can actually get to test and try out the product, which is very important since after all, it is a used computer.  You can thoroughly inspect it and judge whether or not it justifies the price.  Also, this eliminates extra costs such as shipping and handling costs, which usually come with online stores.  But buying from online stores have its advantages as well so be careful in weighting the pros and cons of this option.

Online Stores with Warranty

If you choose to buy used computers online, then at least choose a store that gives you a warranty and a money back guarantee.  Because you cannot inspect and try the computer out for yourself, the best insurance you can get for yourself when buying used computers online is through a warranty or money back guarantee.  You will also have higher chances of locating your dream computer online, since there are many resources available in the Internet.

Nowadays, businesses cannot function effectively without computers and internet connection. It is now more important than ever to communicate with suppliers, clients, employees, and buyers using digital media. But timely communication is only possible if you have the right tools.

Technology change so quickly that it can be daunting for a buyer to purchase a dozen computers only because it can become outdated several months later. So before you part with your hard-earned cash, here are some questions you may want to consider:

What will the PC be used for?

Before you even begin to research on the features of available computers in the market, you need to know the purpose of this machine. Would it be used for accounting, for graphic design? Or simply for writing? Knowing its purpose is key to finding a reliable PC that you can use several years down the road.

If you are thinking of using your computer for graphic-intensive activities, it is important for you to choose something with huge amounts of memory and video cards. On the other hand, if you are simple going to use the computer for text editing, a cheap computer will do.

How long do you want to use it?

With care and attention, most computers can last an average of three years or longer. Most computers are actually replaced because of software upgrade not because anything was wrong with it. If you anticipate the need to update your computer regularly, it is best to buy a cheap computer so it would not hurt your pocket that much to replace it.

What brand do you prefer?

A few years ago, IBM dominated that market. This is no longer true because with so many options out there, almost any brand will do. You need to take note though that specific companies do have their own specialty. For example, Dell computers are known for their affordability, IBM computers are known for their extensive range of choices, and Apple computers for their impressive graphic editing capability.

Desktop or laptop?

Desktops are great to work in because it’s large, it typically has higher memory capacity, and you can use a regular mouse. Laptop offers portability and space; you can also take your laptop almost anywhere so your files will always be with you. It is important to remember that both options have their own advantages and disadvantages, you need to know which one is better suited for your business needs.

What processor speed do you need?

The processor is one of the most important chips on your computer. It will determine how fast your computer will be. Most processors these days provide acceptable speeds but there are some that stands out from the rest.

What is the memory capacity of the computer?

The memory space on your computer is more important than the processor. This is because the larger the memory, the faster and the more efficient a computer will be. A good computer buying tip to remember is that you need to buy as much memory as you can because trying to save in this area can slow down everything.

Computers play a huge role in educating today’s generation. With the necessity of knowing how word processors, internet connectivity, and other software applications work, it is almost a requirement for each student to have their own computer at home. Students need to use computers to conduct their research, type their documents, communicate with teachers and colleagues, and print their report.

Using their parent’s computers is no longer enough. The school requirements are strenuous so students need to spend a lot of time in front of their desktops. This causes some problems because parents also need to do their work at home. Purchasing a computer for school has become much more important. But how can you buy a computer for school exactly? How will you determine which type and model of computer you need to buy?

Well, you need to take note that since you’re using the computer for homework; you need to look into any school recommendations or requirements. There are times when schools have a list of required applications and hardware for the students to use. All the information you can gather will be helpful in the purchasing process.

Is Desktop or Notebook Better for Students?

Now here is the age-old question about computers, which is better, notebooks or desktops? Actually, only you can answer that. The pros and cons of each option are well known and each has distinct features the other doesn’t have. Most of the time, high school students can work better with desktop computers because they get to familiarize themselves with a cost-effective solution. At the same time, desktops have more memory so they can browse their favorite music, movie, and other entertainment features on their desktops. Also, high school students typically still live with their parents so their computers can have a place called home.

But the requirements for collage are much more serious and stringent. Some college students will not have time to enjoy their favorite entertainment channels anymore. College gamers will also have no time to enjoy their craft. Instead, they will be busy with schoolwork, reports, presentations, and research. The laptop is good for this especially since the students will be able to bring all the required data wherever they go.  Since college students live in dormitories, the laptop computer will also take up less space and they can easily take it with them when they go home.

When is the best time to buy?

You also need to consider when the best time to buy is. The price is a very important consideration for most students. You need to take note though that the best prices for computers are not always available during the back to school season. After all, almost every seller is aware that they can expect a large number of students to make a purchase at this time.

Generally, the best prices are available all-year round. The important thing is to find out where the best deals can be taken advantage of. Cheap Shopping Center is one of the sites that offer the best deals for students.