Buying wisely for you office: choosing the right hardware to make your workplace a success.

So you've found the right space for your home office: desk, chair, outlets, lighting, etc. are all in place. Now it's time for the hard choices--hardware choices, that is. Of course, there's no ready formula to tell you which combination of electronic appliances will make your home office a success, but a mixture of foresight and common sense will put you on the right track.

When you're thinking about outfitting a home office, it's wise to prioritize your needs. Do you have a computer already and only need to upgrade its memory or add a modem? Maybe you just need a better, faster printer. Starting from scratch, the hardware needed for a complete home office will cost $2,000-$4,000 (depending on the nature of your business). However, if you decide to purchase hardware based on what is most important for your home productivity, the cost can be spread out. The most important components can be purchased first, while the low-priority items can wait until there is sufficient need.

Just as in building the foundation for your office, the most important consideration (besides cost) when purchasing hardware is what you'll be using the office for--in the short and long term. The computing demands of somebody who's running a business from one who merely wants to finish that company project in the leisure of their own home.

One thing is sure--you'll need a computer. But what kind? Well, if you plan on doing a fairly large amount of desktop publishing (print or Web site design), video or or music editing the choice is clear--an Apple PowerMac. Generally more expensive than PCs, Power Macs are the best choice. Expect to spend $2,000-$3,000 for a well-equipped machine in the 130MHz-180MHz range (monitor not included). But don't forget, Mac clones are now widely available from companies such as Power Computing, Motorola and Radius at prices roughly 15% lower than the Apple machines.

However, if your needs lean more toward traditional business applications--word processing, spreadsheets, accounting, etc. with only an occasional newsletter--a PC will suit your needs. "A machine running on a 486 is the bare minimum that people should be thinking about for their home office," says Livia Givoni, vice president of Outsource Solutions Inc. in Waltham, Massachusetts, which provides database management services. "Many of our employees are virtual and none of them work on anything less than a 133MHz Pentium." Most of the firm's employees work from home rather than a central office.

If you already have a computer and have no qualms about its performance, then there may be no need to upgrade your system, as long as it will come through in the clutch. However, home office neophytes just getting equipped should purchase a PC with a 133 MHz Pentium processor. It will offer enough processing power and speed for most home office applications. Computer prices are continually falling and you should be able to find a fully-equipped 133MHz for around $1,300 (monitor not included). But features such as RAM, hard-drive capacity and modem are more important than speed, as long as it's fast enough for your needs.

If you do purchase a new PC, check the terms of the warranty. Purchasing an extended warranty may save you some headache, and cash, in the long run. Also, be sure to find out about the service and support offered by the manufacturer. If you are a late-night or weekend worker, you'll want to be sure you can get technical support in the wee hours of the morning or a house call on the weekend.

For maximum compatibility with the newest and most-widely available programs, Windows 95 is the best choice for an operating system. Microsoft is phasing out applications that run on the Windows 3.x platform, so if you are still using it and plan to purchase upgrades or new programs, think about upgrading your operating system. Sixteen megs of RAM is optimal for your PC. At least a 6X CD-ROM drive, a 1 gig hard drive and a 28.8 kbps modem are a must when purchasing a new system. Some manufacturers such as IBM, Compaq and Acer, now offer modems with Dual Simultaneous Voice and Data (DSVD) technology, which allows users to talk on the phone and surf the Internet at the same time.

Since you'll have the modem, you might as well splurge for Internet access. Many Internet service providers offer unlimited access for $19.95 per month or less. Besides having access to e-mail, it's a valuable research tool and will help you feel less isolated on those days when you don't leave your office. With the appropriate software, the Internet can also be used to make toll-free long-distance calls.

Speaking of phone calls, you'll have to decide how many dedicated lines you'll need in your office. Modest home office users may be able to get away with having a single line in the office. Juggling phone calls, faxes and Internet access on one line is feasible only if you don't expect to spend much time doing any of the above. And even then, you're sure to have a bottleneck at some point. Givoni suggests at least two lines for serious home office users, perhaps adding a cellular phone and pager to the mix. A two-line phone can be purchased for under $100.

If you intend to transmit documents, you should invest in a fax machine (another reason for that second phone line). Low-traffic home offices will make do with the ever popular, "If you'd like to send a fax, please send it now" message, but those staying to maintain a strictly professional image should opt for the second line and the fax machine.

The last essential component to your office is the printer. Of course, the choice again depends on your needs. Ideally, you should invest in a laser printer. The quality cannot be matched by an ink jet and prices for laser printers dropped considerably in recent months. A quality black-and-white laser printer with 600 x 600 dpi and 4ppm capacity can be purchased for about $400. Laser printers with lower resolutions can be purchased for less, but then it may make sense to buy an inkjet printer with a high resolution instead. If color is an issue, quality color inkjet printers with 600 x 300 dpi and 1.5 ppm capacity are also available for under $500. A home office can likely make do with an inkjet color printer targeted at the family as long as demands on the printer won't be that great.

Now that you've purchased all of the necessary hardware, you're almost ready for business. The next step is finding the proper software to make your home office the smashing success it ought to be.