How to Buy
A Computer
by Richard Leader
Why buy a computer? After all, you're
already paying a huge technology fee that's going towards putting
up computers all over campus and also you're living in the dorms--what's
wrong with bumming off of your roommates and using one of theirs?
Those are two good questions that force you to look at your finances
in two very different ways. In the short term--yes--not buying one
will save you money. But in the long run, the knowledge that you gain
by owning a computer may just be the difference between you and the
next person who loses their job due to "downsizing."
Don't buy a Macintosh computer. Few people use Mac's in the real world
and even fewer employers give a shit about whether or not you "think
differently" or look nifty in shades of blueberry or plum. Besides,
right now, you can get a much faster PC for less money that will run
more software. Even if you are an art student, I have to advise against
buying a Mac, because ultimately being proficient in both platforms,
Mac and PC, will make you much more marketable career-wise than the
majority of your peers.
Notebook computers are really great if you can take advantage of their
portability--though few of their owners actually do. If you are planning
on purchasing one, know that they are often much less powerful than
an equivalently priced desktop unit, have extremely pricey accessories,
are practically non-upgradeable in the future, are easily damaged,
and just as easily stolen. Still interested? Then ask yourself if
typing your papers in the dining halls is really necessary, or if
waiting in line to do email in the library really sucks enough to
carry your $2300 piece of thief-bait around between classes? If you
do decide to get one, take careful note of the screen display on the
model you are looking at. They come in two basic varieties: dual-scan
and active-matrix. The active screen is much easier to see, from all
angles and in bright light--but expect it to add hundreds of dollars
to the purchase price. It's your choice.
We all know that when it comes to buying a computer, there are a lot
of different numbers besides the price. Those numbers describe the
type of processor the computer has, the speed at which it runs, as
well as its various memory and storage configurations. Almost every
month, those numbers climb higher and higher as newer technologies
enter the marketplace, and much of the time, any specific advice will
be outdated by the time it gets to print. But what I can tell you,
is that any PC currently sold--at any price--is capable of running
a variety of operating systems, any word processing program, any Internet
browser, and almost all multi-media CD-ROMs--just about everything
but the latest 3D action games. Unless you're a Quake III junkie,
you will probably be happy with a computer that won't send you to
the poor house.
You should expect to purchase several computers over the course of
your lifetime. While you might think that buying a top of the line
model will stave off obsolescence and let you postpone the inevitable
upgrade--there is a smarter way to spend your money. For example,
say you are willing to spend $1400 on computing over the next four
years and go to the store. One computer lists for $700 and another
for $1400. The first one has 80% of the speed and the features of
the more expensive one--as newer technology always comes at a premium.
While that extra 20% might come in handy four years from now--a better
option would be to get one $700 computer now... And then buy another
at that same price in two years. Guess what, it will be about 200%
faster than the one you would have at the end if you had sunk the
whole $1400 in the beginning! Buying inexpensive machines on a regular
basis lets you have a speedy computer for a longer amount of time,
and for less money, as well as giving you an extra machine that you
can donate to a family member, a school, or a charity.
The two most important things when buying a computer are the quality
of the monitor and the software bundle included with the system. The
monitor is the only part of the computer that you stare at for hours
on end--and the one you purchase now will most likely serve you for
the next two or even three computers you buy. Often, retailers let
you upgrade the 15-inch monitor that typically comes with systems
to a 17" or even a 19" one for a fair price. Take them up
on the offer, your eyes will thank you. You don't buy a computer because
you like metal and plastic--you buy it to run software. Owning a copy
of the current version of MSOffice can be invaluable. Problem is,
Microsoft wants to charge new users $499 for it, and asks $249 for
owners of the previous version to upgrade. Large computer retailers
on the other hand, can acquire such software at a nominal price and
then pass it on to you when you buy a new computer from them. If your
computer doesn't come with Office, I suggest heading over to UBMicro
where you can get it at a price discounted for students. Make sure
you get it now, because that's the only software deal that you're
going to get.
If you are living on campus and want to take advantage of the high-speed
Internet access, you will need a Network Interface Card (NIC). There
are many brands availible, though the school "suggests"
that you buy one made by 3Com. For most of you, you might as well
follow their instructions, but know that 3Com cards retail for 2 to
3 times the price of other brands, offer no significant extra features,
and can often be hard to set up if you ever want to use your NIC with
a cable modem or home network in the future. If that doesn't bother
you--get the 3Com.
You have many choices of where to shop for your new PC. Small computer
shops can often offer you custom built systems and if anything goes
wrong they'll be more than willing to help you out. The problem is--they
have a hard time competing against the aggressive prices of larger
mega-chains such as CompUSA. But still, it is often best for a first
time computer owner to make his or her purchase from a small local
retailer. The higher price that you may pay is more than offset by
the security that you will feel knowing that your problems can be
fixed without remaining on hold or standing in a line for hours on
end. UBMicro, an on-campus not-for-profit retailer (645-3554, www.ubmicro.buffalo.edu),
is often a good choice for students with limited computer experience,
even though the computers that they offer are usually somewhat shy
of cutting edge and prices less than ideal.
If you want to go the quick and easy way--you can just mosey on over
to your local computer-mega store or electronics store and pick up
a new computer off the rack. This is more dangerous than you might
think-deception lies around every corner. You might notice that every
computer has a $400 rebate on it and a whole lot of fine print. The
long and short of it is, CompuServe, an Internet service provider
was getting its behind kicked in the marketplace so they came up with
a sneaky marketing ploy. You buy a computer, they give you a discount--as
long as you sign up for their Internet service for a couple of years.
Expect to pay at least as much as your "rebate." As all
UB students are offered a free Internet connection by the school,
and a super fast one if you are living on campus--this is no deal
that you want to take. Just add that $400 back onto the price. Chances
are: it's still good. A warning though--all the manufacturers of computers
in these stores care about is having high numbers on the computer's
specifications. What that often means is that while it might have
a fast processor, and a big hard drive, many of the components that
don't have numbers that can be as easily advertised are of inferior
quality. Compaq brand computers are notorious for this. Also, watch
out for systems that have an "integrated video display"
if you are planning on playing the latest games on your computer.
If you need the lowest price available, then you should turn to Internet
and mail-order distributors who not only deal in bulk--and hence low
prices--but can also configure a computer to your specific needs with
the latest technology which usually doesn't arrive in local or chain
stores until much later. But watch out: shipping and handling fees--as
well as state sales tax (if the company has an office within NY State)
may eat up some of your savings. Two very good distributors that do
not charge sales tax in NY are Dell (800/847-4088, www.dell.com)
and Micron (888/224-4138, www.micronpc.com).
Equally good, though expect to pay state taxes, are Gateway 2000 (800/555-2086,
www.gw2k.com) and
Quantex (800/896-4898, www.quantex.com).
Look for their ads in popular computer magazines for a ballpark estimate
of what they are offering. There are many other companies out there,
but we cannot guarantee you the same level of service provided by
these. One notable company is GamePC (888/426-3744, www.gamepc.com)
who offer esoteric computers at great prices for a variety of uses.
When you are looking, ask if the company sells refurbished or remanufactured
units. These are computers that were returned to the company for a
variety of reasons. They are carefully checked out and are often more
reliable than brand new machines. Only a couple of weeks old, and
often hundreds of dollars cheaper, you can't go wrong with buying
a computer like this. Dell (888/798-7561, http://www.dell.com/outlet/index.htm)
and Gateway 2000 (800/846-3614, http://www.gw2k.com/reman/rmn.shtml)
both offer these deals. Be sure to check them out.
