When looking to purchase a new computer, I suggest getting help from a professional to weigh the options. But no matter where you go for help, just keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for. So, if you buy a super-cheap $200 to $300 computer, don’t be upset when it’s slow, maybe even slower than your old one.
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As a general rule of thumb, I suggest spending at least $500 on a new desktop computer for the tower only, so excluding a monitor, printer, etc. Those peripherals typically will work with your new computer anyways. Spending at least $500 usually gets you something that will perform well and likely last longer. For laptops and all-in-one desktops, I suggest raising the minimum you spend to at least $600. The price for those is typically more versus a computer when comparing the performance since they include a monitor. If these suggested prices are too high for your budget, I suggest looking for a good refurbished computer.
Laptops are great if you need a mobile computer that you can move around, but if all you’re going to do is keep it on a desk, I suggest using a traditional desktop computer with a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This is especially the case if it’s going to be heavily used. It’s not that laptops are bad, but cramming all those parts into such a small case can cause more issues over time. The same thing applies to those all-in-one computers where the computer is built into the monitor. Traditional desktop towers, however, have much more room for heat dissipation and are easier to work on and replace parts if someone goes out.
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When shopping for a computer, keep in mind the processor, RAM, and drive are usually the important specs to compare the speed and performance. The RAM is usually easy to compare, just see how many gigabytes (GBs) each computer offers. The processor isn’t so easy cause the many models and naming schemes used by Intel and AMD. However, you can use a website like www.cpubenchmark.net to compare them: the higher the CPU mark, the faster the processor will be. Computers with traditional hard drives will usually have large capacity, like 500 GB to 2,000 GB (2 TB). However, solid-state drives (SSDs) are newer and faster, but typically come in smaller capacities: 80 GB to 500 GB.
When shopping for a computer, I suggest checking with local small businesses like my mine for custom computers. Typically, custom-built computers are easier to upgrade in the future when compared to the big brands like Dell, HP, and Acer, so they can last longer. They also don’t come with all the junk the big brands preload on their computers. Some small businesses can also be easier to work with than the big brands if you run into problems. For instance, I include a free on-site warranty to my customers.
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