Have you ever bought a new computer and experienced buyer’s remorse a few months later? Maybe you didn’t pay attention to storage capacity and ran out of space. Or you overlooked memory and experienced constant freezing.

Investing in a new PC is not something you want to take lightly. Doing your research in advance or consulting a specialized computer store can help you avoid mistakes that could come back to haunt you later.

Here are several things to consider before investing your hard-earned money in a new computer.

Amount of Memory (RAM)

One of the main mistakes people make when looking for a new computer is ignoring RAM (Random Access Memory). If your system has little memory, you’ll encounter all kinds of problems.

These problems can include:

  • Browser freezing when too many tabs are open
  • Problems watching videos
  • Some software not working properly
  • Sluggish behavior
  • Inability to open multiple applications
  • Constant freezing

Memory is the PC’s “thinking process.” If it doesn’t have enough, it can’t take on another task until it finishes the current processing tasks. This can cause frustration and ruin your productivity.

Many people often turn to budget computer deals when looking for a new device. But these deals may only include 4GB of RAM. That’s not much if you do more than stay in a single application or open a few browser tabs.

The higher the RAM, the more responsive the system performance. So look for PCs with at least 8GB of RAM. Or more if you do graphics/video work or other processing-intensive activities.

User Reviews on Longevity

Buying a new computer is an investment. So it’s natural to want that investment to last as long as possible. You don’t want to spend €800 on a new computer and start experiencing problems when it’s only two years old.

Take the time to read user reviews on the models you’re considering. You’ll start to see trends emerge. Stay away from models with constant complaints about earlier-than-expected failures.

You may have to pay a little more for a system with a proven track record. But it will save you in the long run, when you have more years of useful life before that device needs to be replaced.

Is the PC for Personal or Business Use?

If you have a small business or are a freelancer, you might try to save money by buying a consumer PC. But this could end up costing you more in the long run.

Consumer PCs are not designed for continuous use like during a workday. They also often lack certain types of firmware security found in business-grade models. The price gap has also narrowed between good consumer computers and business versions. You’ll find it doesn’t cost much more to get a business-grade device.

The Processor Used

It can be confusing to read a computer’s processor specifications. How do you know if an Intel Core i7 or i3 is best suited to your needs? What’s the performance difference between AMD and Intel processors?

If you don’t want to do the research yourself, we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction. We’ll explain the differences in simple terms and which processor is best suited for your intended use.

For Laptops: The Case Type

If you’re looking for a laptop, durability is important. Laptops have some unique features that differ from desktop computers. For example, the screen is often closed one or more times a day. Over time, the hinges can start to loosen, which can eventually disconnect the display cable from the motherboard.

If you buy a laptop with a cheap plastic chassis, it will likely break during normal use. Keys can also easily come off the keyboard, requiring a trip to a repair shop.

Paying a little extra for a case made of solid material is truly worth it. It can help you avoid unnecessary headaches.

Storage Capacity

Storage capacity can be a pain point you’ll encounter after the fact. If you buy a computer without paying attention to hard drive space, you might regret it. You may not be able to transfer all your “stuff” from the old system, or you’ll find yourself unable to perform a major system update.

Storage capacity can also be an area where you can save money. If you store most of your files in the cloud, you may not need much hard drive space.

Hard Drive Type

If you can buy a computer with a Solid State Drive (SSD) rather than a traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD), you should do so. SSDs are faster and less likely to have read/write problems. They have no moving parts, so they’re also quieter and less sensitive to vibrations.

The price of solid state drives has dropped significantly in recent years. There are many affordable options available.

Come see us before spending money on a new computer

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