1. Buying a Computer By: Cynthia Garcia Comm.165 MWF 11-11:50 Fall 2005

2. Some Considerations • Evaluate: • What will the computer be used for? • Who • will be using it? • What is your budget?

3. Shopping Around • Student discounts (i.e. Dell and Mac) • Compare Electronic stores • Best Buy, Circuit City, Comp. USA and other stores online ( keep in mind that some of these stores do offer good deals if you tell them one store offered you less for the same comp. system) • Look for package deals where if you buy the computer system it comes with a free printer, etc.

4. Ask Questions • The more the better, you should know: • How much memory • What can the Computer do? Burn CD’s/DVD’s play movies video games • Learn computer terminology (i.e. bytes, megabytes, ram, etc. • Packages, warranties, anti-virus programs

5. Adequate location • Where do I place my computer? • This depends on whose going to use it, (children, other family members) maybe family room, living room • Low humidity • No direct sunlight • Away from heat vents • Away from electrical appliances

6. Computer Maintenance tips: • 1. Never, never, turn your computer off with the power switch until Windows has shut down. • 2. I highly recommend that you purchase an UPS (uninteruptable power supply) for your computer. This will keep your computer from crashing during power outages, and will protect your computer from low and high voltage occurrences. • 3. Backup • 4. Run Scandisk and Defragment at least once a month. This will keep your hard drive healthy and prevent crashes. • 5. Never unplug peripherals from the computer when it is powered up

7. Maintenance tips cont. 6. Do keep at least 100 MBs of your C: drive free for Windows to use. 7. Do not let a lot of programs load up when you start your computer. 8. Do use a virus checker regularly 9. If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a firewall program. A firewall program keeps those who want to hijack your computer from gaining access to your system. 10. Keep track of the software disks you receive with your computer and new peripherals. -www.infohq.com

8. Protecting your Computer • Warranty and Extended Service Plans • Look for a computer with a warranty that covers manufacturing defects and other problems. Make sure you understand exactly what is covered under the warranty. Most new computers are covered for a year, and some warranties include on-site maintenance. • Many retailers offer extended service agreements which, in essence, lengthen the warranty. Whether or not you purchase an extended service plan is up to you. Find out what is covered and weigh the price of the warranty against the price of potential repairs.

9. Sources that can help • http://www.cyberwalker.com/buyacomputer/worksheet.html • This website contains a full checklist worksheet of things you can check for while shopping around • PAMPHLETS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT • The quarterly Consumer Information Center Catalog lists more than 200 helpful federal publications. For your free copy, write: Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009, call 1-888/8-PUEBLO or find the catalog on the Net at http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov • INTERNET INFORMATION • If you're on the Net, check us out. We're part of MetLife Online (http://www.lifeadvice.com).

10. Conclusion • Evaluating, to figure out what your needs will be and to set a budget • Shopping around for best deals • Asking Questions (knowing terminology, warranties,etc.) • Where to place your computer • Maintenance tips • Protecting your computer (warranties) • Sources