Issue 33.12
We are in the heat of the back to school sales season as students return to high school and college and often have technology needs such as computers, tablets, phones and other gadgets. One of the best deals out there right now are the laptop computers. I have seen a number of basic entry level laptop computers advertised for $299. They are generally limited in power and speed, but for the student or family on a budget, they are usable and reasonably worth having. Better and more powerful laptops usually fall in the $500-$1500 range and can come with Blu-Ray, Bluetooth, 17 inch screens and additional software which all add to the value. A couple of things to remember are that single core systems are always going to be slow by comparison with the new quad core and i series (i3, i5 and i7) computers and that 1 Gigabyte of Ram is not enough to run Windows 7 well. I recommend at least 4 Gigs of Ram (Random Access Memory) and at least 320 Gigabytes of Hard Drive Space.
Brand names that are usually reliable are Lenovo (IBM), Gateway, Toshiba, HP and Dell. Brands such as Compaq, Emachines and others you have never heard of are often of less quality and break down quicker making them not as good a deal. If you do buy an entry level computer, expect it not to last more than three to five years, though there are exceptions. It is often a good idea to get an extended warranty including accidental breakage on laptops if the warranty is inexpensive since repairing them is very costly compared to desktops.
The small netbook type computers are phasing out in favor of the tablet computers because of short battery life and small keyboards and screens. They are still available however in the $250-$400 range. Tablets have a wide range of prices and capability. There are 7 inch screen tablets using the Android Operating System available at price points as low as $99, but be sure they will do what you want before buying. Often they are too limited to fit your needs. On the other end of the spectrum are the IPads from Apple which run from $399 to around $850 depending on which version, how fast and powerful they are, what type of screen and whether they have wireless, 3G or 4G access to the internet. I personally purchased a 10 inch screen Android tablet made by Vizio and have been quite happy with it. It doesn’t have all the punch and options of the IPad, but it cost under $200 and does a good job.
Desktops are still a good option if the student doesn’t need a laptop for portability. Remember that you need a monitor which is additional cost unless it is included as a deal. Desktops usually last longer and are less expensive to repair when the time comes. Screens are larger and the 23 or 24 inch screens are especially nice if you do graphics works or like to watch movies, videos, etc.
If you are on a tight budget, reconditioned used computers are often a way to get good capability without breaking the bank. If you go this direction be sure you have at least a 30 day warranty in case the computer has a problem. I give a 90 day warranty on the computers I sell that I have reconditioned. Most other good dealers will do the same. Enjoy the classes and even if you are not a student, you can take advantage of good deals right now, and remember to always make sure you have a back up of anything important.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 30 years, 20 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or through his website at www.bitsnbytescomputers.com.