How to buy a new PC

Buying a new PC is not hard at all, but getting the right PC is. A lot of my customer ask me what hardware specs should I get or should I buy a laptop or desktop. It all comes down to What are YOU going to do with it? So here are some buying points and I will summarize at the end.

• Do you want to take it with you? Laptop
• Do you want to play the latest and greatest games? Desktop
• Are you a graphics designer? Desktop
• Do you have random power blips? Laptop
• Do you want a media center? Desktop or Laptop either will need external storage.
• Do you tinker? Desktop

In my opinion if you are not into having the fastest pc on your block, a graphics designer, or a hardcore gamer your only choice should be a laptop. These days a laptop can do anything a desktop could and you can take it with you. When you get home plug in your docking station and BOOM your 24" monitor, wireless keyboard, and network connection all come alive. Set your laptop over in the corner somewhere and forget about it.

No matter which way you go PLEASE remember to Backup your data, no machine is fault proof. An external network storage device is great for daily or weekly backups, but if you want your data forever then use DVD's. At the very least backup your data to DVD's monthly. This will save you someday, trust me.

On a final note, What hardware should I get? I tell people the bare minimum these days is a dual core processor and 2 gig of memory.  The best thing to do though is buy what you can afford, PC are disposable these days. In 2 years you will want a new one anyhow.