Second-hand technology? Buying a used computer could make sense - and save dollars.High computer prices keep legions of would-be technophiles from embracing the technological revolution. New computers with the latest Pentium processors can cost upwards of $3,000. While many people still shop in retail computer stores, others look to the used computer market to ease the financial burden. As people upgrade to the latest and fastest computers, they often sell their older equipment at bargain basement bargain basement sale of old stock at highly discounted prices. [Pop. Culture: Misc.] See : Inexpensiveness prices. Be sure to define your computing computing - computer requirements before you spend a dime. For light word processing word processing, use of a computer program or a dedicated hardware and software package to write, edit, format, and print a document. Text is most commonly entered using a keyboard similar to a typewriter's, although handwritten input (see pen-based computer) and , you'll require a much cheaper computer than if you intend to do desktop publishing desktop publishing, system for producing printed materials that consists of a personal computer or computer workstation, a high-resolution printer (usually a laser printer), and a computer program that allows the user to select from a variety of type fonts and sizes, or graphics manipulation. Once you have defined your computing needs, it's important to set reasonable limits for what you are willing to spend. Edwin J. Montgomery, president of the Computer Price Sheet (http://www.ejmtech.com), a Web site that tracks the nation's retailers for the lowest prices for new computers, offers the following advice when shopping for a used computer. For basic word processing and spreadsheet capabilities, Montgomery suggests buying a 486/33 MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. system. "It won't be blazing fast, and I wouldn't recommend heavy graphics usage, but it will suffice," he explains. Plan on spending about $750 for a complete system of this caliber. For word processing, spreadsheets and the ability to access the Internet, a 486/66 MHz system with 16 MB of RAM and a graphics card with 1 MB of video RAM Also called "VRAM," it is the type of memory used in a display adapter. Video RAM is designed with dual ports so that it can simultaneously refresh the screen while text and images are drawn in memory. It is faster than the common DRAM or SDRAM chips used as main memory in the computer. will likely cost around $900. You can expect to spend around $1,300 for a high-end multimedia computer with fast processors, graphics co-processors and 16 to 32 MB RAM. "When purchasing high-end used equipment, look for a 60 or 90MHz Pentium," Montgomery advises. After you've confirmed your needs, look for the best value, not the cheapest price. "It's a mistake to go after price. What is more important is what the machine's brand name brings you in terms of manufacturer credibility and quality control," says Mike Wright, president of Discount Computer Warehouse (800-696-1885), a Denver-based reseller An organization that sells hardware and software to the general public. Resellers purchase products from software publishers and hardware manufacturers. of used computers. "The life cycle for brand name equipment is usually six to eight years, but for clones it's much shorter." He recommends Dell, Compaq or IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) used computers because these companies spend billions of dollars in quality control and customer support. Once you know what type of used computer you need, you should familiarize yourself with what the newer computers cost. "People will sometimes try to sell old equipment for the same price they brought it for," says Montgomery. "They bought a 386 computer five years ago for $3,000 but they don't realize that the computer is now almost worthless." When you start shopping, look in your Sunday paper Sunday paper n → (periódico) dominical m Sunday paper n → journal m du dimanche for bargains. If you live in a city that has newspapers specializing in buying and selling new and used goods, you can find a lot of bargains. Always determine the type of machine you want before you decide on a price. Remember, you are looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. the best value, not the cheapest price. If you decide that a 486/50 MHz is the computer that will satisfy your needs, make that your acceptable minimum. Don't be influenced by a 486/25 MHz advertised for less money. In the long run, the cheaper computer will cost you more money because you are more likely to replace or upgrade it. Besides, Intel and other chip makers are introducing new microprocessor chips so quickly that prices for new and used computers will continue to fall. And as new computers are introduced, faster computers will drop into the price range you have established. |
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