Guide on How to Land Computer Jobs
To become a lawyer, you must graduate from law school and pass the Bar
Exam. But to become a computer expert, there’s no particular exam to
pass, and no particular piece of paper that “proves” you’re an expert or
even competent.
You can get a job in the computer industry even if you’ve never had any
training. Your job will be sweeping the floor.
To become a top computer expert, you must study hard, day and night.
Read lots of computer manuals, textbooks, guidebooks, magazines,
newspapers, and newsletters. Practice using many kinds of computers,
operating systems, languages, word-processing programs, spreadsheets,
database systems, graphics packages, and telecommunications programs.
Also explore the many educational programs for kids. Use many kinds of
printers, disk drives, and modems. Study the human problems of dealing
with computers. No matter how much you already know, learn more!
When I surveyed computer experts, I found that the average expert still
spends two hours per day reading about computers, to fill holes in the
expert’s background and learn what happened in the computer industry
that day! In addition to those two hours, the expert spends many more
hours practicing what was read and swapping ideas by chatting with
other computerists.
As a computer expert, you can choose your own hours, but they must be
numerous: if your interest in computers lasts just from 9 AM to 5 PM,
you’ll never become a computer expert.
To break into the computer field, you can use six tools: college, home
consulting, home programming, salesmanship, job expansion, and
on-the-job training.
College The most traditional way to get a computer job is to go to college
and get a Ph.D. or M.A. in computer science. Unfortunately, that takes a
lot of time
Home Consulting The fastest way to break into the field is to keep your
current job but spend your weekends and evenings helping your
neighbors, friends, and colleagues learn about computers. Help them buy
hardware and software. Then customize the software to meet their own
personal needs. Then train them in how to use it all.
At first, do it all for free. After you’ve become an experienced expert
and developed a list of happy clients who will vouch for your brilliance,
start requesting money from new clients. Start cheaply, at about $10 per
hour, then gradually raise your rates over the next few years.
Home Programming You can write computer programs at home to sell to
friends and software publishers, but make sure your programs serve a
real need and don’t duplicate what’s already on the market. Be creative.
Salesmanship For a quicker career path, learn enough about
microcomputers to get a job selling them in a store. As a salesperson,
you’ll be helping people decide which hardware and software to buy;
you’ll be acting as a consultant.
The store will probably give you permission to take hardware, software,
and literature home with you, so you can study and practice new
computer techniques every evening and become brilliant. If you wish, you
can even moonlight by helping your customers use the software they
bought and designing your own customized programs for them.
After working in the store several months, you’ll have the knowledge,
experience, contacts, and reputation to establish yourself as an
independent consultant. You can call your former customers and become
their advisor, trainer, and programmer – or even set up your own store.
Job expansion Another way to break into the field is to take a
non-computer job and gradually enlarge its responsibilities, so that it
involves computers.
For example, if you’re a typist, urge your boss to let you use a word
processor. If you’re a clerk, ask permission to use spreadsheet and
data-management programs to manage your work more efficiently. If
you’re a math teacher, ask the principal to let you teach a computer
course or help run the school’s computer club.
On-the-job training The final way to break into the field is to get a job in
a computer company, as a janitor or clerk, and gradually move up by using
the company’s policy of free training for employees.
Set your rates If somebody’s interested in hiring you to be a programmer
or consultant, you must decide what rate to charge.
If this is your first such job, be humble and charge very little because
your first job’s main goal should not be money. Instead, your goal should
be to gain experience, enhance your reputation, and find somebody you
can use as a reference and who’ll give you a good recommendation.
Convince your first employer that you’re the best bargain he ever got, so
that he’ll be wildly enthusiastic about you and give you a totally glowing
recommendation when you go seek your second job.
Asking for a raise After several months on the job, when you’ve
thoroughly proved that you’re much more than you’re being paid, and
your employer is thoroughly thrilled with your performance, gently ask
your employer for a slight raise. If he declines, continue working at that
job, but also keep your eyes open for a better alternative.
Negotiating a contract The fundamental rule of contract negotiation is:
never make a large commitment.
For example, suppose somebody offers to pay you $10,000 if you write a
fancy program. Don’t accept the offer; the commitment is too large.
Instead, request $1,000 for writing a stripped-down version of the
program.
After writing the stripped-down version, wait and see whether you get
the $1,000; if you get it without any hassles, then agree to make the
version slightly fancier, for a few thousand dollars more. That way, if
you have an argument you’re your employer (which is common), you’ve lost
only $1,000 of effort instead of $10,000.

“Your backup is as important as your data and your time–because that’s what it’s going to cost you if you lose it,” says Cheryl Frogley-Rawson, an IT consultant with Helpin’ Out, a computer support company for small businesses and individuals. “Even if you have hard copies, it’s going to cost you time to enter the information again.”

·Back up regularly, back up often. It is important that you get into the habit of backing up your files on a regular basis. Just having things stored on your hard drive is not enough. A computer crash, a virus, or a hard drive failure can wipe out everything. Don’t make this simple mistake! Back up everything at least once a week. Daily is better. If you use your computer daily, it is best to back up important files daily and other data weekly. At the absolute minimum, back up your files monthly.

·Keep several backup copies. Never back up over a prior backup copy – keep several copies over time so that you can back up more than one version if necessary. Remember, a problem that is backed up will remain a problem when restored!

·Be selective. You don’t have to do a total system backup. In fact, why waste your time backing up all those executable program files when you can easily re-install them from the original media in case of a problem. Just back up your important files. Backing up the entire hard drive is time-consuming, not practical, and should not be done. A backup of specific data files is the way to go.

·Know what’s really important. The most important things to copy are files you create yourself. Be they text documents, e-mail messages, pictures, or game saves, if you made them, be sure to keep their current backup handy. Beyond that, it’s helpful to back up the configuration settings for any programs you use, along with critical Windows data such as the registry.

·Organize your folders. Backing up is easy if you set your folder structure properly. It’s faster and easier to back up if all your files and subfolders are in a single folder, rather than having your documents scattered across the hard drive. The My Documents folder is a good place to store files on any Windows computer. When all your personal files are in one place you are less likely to forget a file when you back up. Organization can be the key.

·Use backup software to automate your everyday backup tasks. You don’t have to copy your files manually. You can accidentally omit something, or simply make a mistake. A decent backup program creates the backup of your data reliably and automatically, and it will notify you in case of any problem, and will log the backup activity in detail. In addition, there are a lot more useful features, all usually for a very low price.

Become a Computer Consultant and Your Income Can Soar

In a traditional corporate IT job, your earnings potential and career advancement possibilities are ultimately constrained by many things that are simply beyond your control. This often includes lazy or incompetent peers, ineffective management, or a seniority system that rewards obsolete employees and punishes newer, more aggressive go-getters.

When you become a computer consultant, these annoyances are largely a moot point. If you don’t like your “peers”, go find better partners and subcontractors to associate with.

If one of your “bosses” (i.e. a major client) is losing respect and running their company into the ground, you can go look for a new client to replace the problem client.

And forget about ever being unappreciated. No client is going to pay you or your consulting firm $100 an hour (or more) for your services if they don’t value your expertise! And even though your clients generally won’t clap for you, your bank account will.

So in sharp contrast to a traditional computer-related job, when you become a computer consultant your income potential can soar, because YOU are in control of YOUR future.

Business Opportunities for Computer Consultants

The market for those that want to become a computer consultant is diverse and still growing.

Because virtually every company and organization needs some kind of IT-help, whether it be from internal employees, outsourced computer consultants, or some combination of the two, the choice to become a computer consultant can put you on track for a winning career and a very successful, highly-profitable services business.

Now you may be thinking, “why would I want to become a computer consultant”, when there are already so many people doing it? And that’s a perfectly natural question.

However, competition is actually a good thing for computer consultants. Because if there were no other computer consultants out there in profitable businesses, you’d have to wonder whether the computer consultant industry was viable and profitable.

Think about it… would you really want to be in an industry where no one else has ever been able to have a profitable, sustainable business?

The fact is that many computer consultant businesses are horribly run and have huge customer satisfaction problems. Those problems are your opportunity though. As long as you can provide a cost-effective solution to what small businesses need, your computer consultant business can be very successful.

Also remember that as technology changes, even more opportunities are created. Could a computer consultant make a living 10 years ago by blocking SPAM or cleaning up spyware? Of course not. These problems were miniscule compared to today’s epidemics. Today these are mainstream problems that plague virtually every small company and scream out for the need for more computer consultants.

What other industry do you know that is continually creating more potential clients?

Skills You Need to Become a Computer Consultant

As you begin to investigate further into how to become a computer consultant, start by listing your own computer-related current skills. Are you the person all your friends and family consult when they have a computer problem? Are you the one everyone turns to in your office for help on computer problems?

Most likely, you already have many marketable skills you will need to become a computer consultant.

Don’t think you have to be an expert in every portion and every detail of all aspects of using and repairing a computer. That is not true.

With the scope and diversification of the industry, it would be impossible to become that knowledgeable. By finding qualified computer consultants to partner with and subcontract work to, your computer consultant business can easily plug most common skills gaps that you may encounter in the field.

From Employee to Computer Consultant

If you are already working as an employee in one of the many fields of the computer industry, making the transition to become a computer consultant could be one of the best decisions you will make.

Aside from increasing your income for the same work you are already doing, there are many other benefits to moonlighting or working full-time for yourself.

The cool part about moonlighting however is that you can try out what it’s like to become a computer consultant, while you still retain the safety net of your day job.

In addition, with moonlighting, you can also start building up a steady client list and reference accounts that will give you a huge head start in building out your client list, as you become a computer consultant.

Non-Technical Skills for Computer Consultants

In order to become a computer consultant, there are also other aspects you should consider other than just your computer knowledge. As with any venture into working for yourself, there are a few traits that make it much easier.

For example, are you self-motivated?

Can you maintain the drive to work just as though you had an employer looking over your shoulder?

Are you ready to wear the many “hats” (i.e. accounting, marketing, sales, operations, etc.) self-employment requires?

Marketing, record keeping, planning, and providing the actual billable computer-related services are all parts of the agenda you will be required to either handle yourself, or delegate to another professional.

However, don’t let these items overwhelm your desire to become a computer consultant.

While these are all important to a computer consultant business, there are ways to make sure they are done without overtaxing yourself.

Computer Insurance
Investing in a personal computer is not less an amount. It is next only to
investing in a house or a car. So, it’s not unwise an idea to insure your
computer and its allied accessories like peripherals and software.
However, how much coverage you get for what accessory depends on
individual market offer. There are several threats your computer might
face. Such as virus attack, data corruption, system crashing down,
peripheral malfunctioning and many more. Thus, it is important for you to
protect your investment by proper insurance coverage. There are certain
aspects of computer insurance you must know.
Coverage under homeowner or renter’s policy
In most of the cases if you have homeowner or renter’s policy your home
accessories and assets are also covered in that and so is your computer.
It is covered against all the threats and disasters listed in the policy.
Thus, if your computer gets stolen or gutted in fire you can claim for the
damages. However, your computer gets covered only for the amount listed
in your policy.
Replacement cost and actual cash value
Though replacement cost is 10 percent more expensive as compared to
Actual cash value, keeping in mind that things depreciate fast, this is a
very wise move. The reimbursement you get on replacement cost is the
same as the current cost of your computer and not the petty depreciated
cost you would get with actual cash value policy.
Coverage for Laptop and portable computer
Laptop and portable computers are considered personal possessions away
from home under the homeowners or renter’s policy. Thus, they are also
covered under this policy. However, there is a dollar limit on personal
possession that are stolen or damaged away from home.
Computers don’t only get covered under the homeowners or renter’s
policy. A number of insurance companies offer individual insurance
policies for computers as well. It is important to remember that when you
buy a computer insurance policy you must retain the receipt of the policy
as well as that of the computer and its peripherals very carefully.
Computer insurance is vital for students, business professionals, small
business owners, schools, home users with heavy usage and many more
people who use computers for their critical applications. Computer
insurance does not cover certain items such as maintenance costs,
electrical or mechanical breakdown, wear and tear, fraud and
dishonesty, consequential loss, and loss or damage caused by sonic bangs.
However, they are well covered under the warranty/extended warranty
of the equipment.

LCD flap panel monitors have become all the rage, in a matter of just a few years, the old CRT monitors have nearly become obsolete, expecially on new computers. The old monitors are not bad. There is much to be liked, especially in terms of value for money, and in terms of performance. But you can’t fight the change. We will focus on the LCD flat panel monitors as there is often more to be considered.

Firstly there is the connection to the computer. Older monitors utilised a VGA cable that carried the signal from the computer to the monitor. The signal that goes along there is an analogue signal and it can become slightly degraded, and is just an old technology. Many flat panel monitors support this old style, but that is usually just for backwards compatibility. The newer cable type is a digital kind which is designed to be used for LCD monitors. The performance from this newer kind is better, but if you are upgrading an old computer, make sure your computer can run that monitor.

Secondly is the screen resolution. This is how many pixels can be displayed on the monitor. The higher the resolution, the more can be fit on the screen. This means clearer images with much smoother textures, but it also means that things appear smaller as an increase in resolution does not increase the physical dimensions of the monitor. Usual nowadays is 1024 x 768 or even 1280 x 960. Computers used to have 800 x 600, but that has all but disappeared, except on very old computers or those that are not maintained properly. I run 1280 x 960 as it gives room for a lot of working space on the monitor, but with less than a 19 inch monitor, 1024 x 768 would be more suitable.

Screen refresh rate is another factor that comes into play. CRT monitors used a process of changing the pixels on the screen to show the new images, updating from top to bottom in lines, at a certain rate per second. With that old style 60MHz (60 refreshes per second) would be the minimum before the screen started to flicker. LCD monitors do not have this problem and will look fine at 60MHz.When running games a refresh rate higher than that is required, often up to 85MHz or more. Make sure the monitor you plan to use supports at least 60MHz at your desired resolution for normal use and 85MHz if you want to play games.

A specification that is new for flat panel monitors that didn’t effect CRT monitors is latency. Although the refresh rate may be high, the table of little dots that make up the LCD panel take a small time to change, that change is the latency. Obviously if this latency is too high it is possible that you get shot in games before you even know it, which is no good. Latencies have improved, but only monitors claimed with 8ms latency have been really good for games. Latencies tend to be exagerated and a latency of 8ms actually averages out to 12ms. With most ratings multiply by 1.5 to get an average rating.

The actual brightness of the screen can vary from spot to spot on the screen. Certain monitors have obvious bright parts and dull parts while others are more consistent. Most have some variation, but the less, the better. Name branded monitors tend to give better results than cheaper no name brand versions.

Extras like little speakers are not worth talking about much. They have limited use and I would rather have seperate speakers and keep the monitor simple.

After considering these, you should have enough to make a good purchase decision. Remember that a little extra money spent on a monitor is a good investment, and unlike many other computer parts, upgrades are not needed that often.

Computer Career
Computers have officially become a necessity in this 21st century, and
with this technology boom comes the growing availability of a computer
career. If you are looking for a computer career, your range of options is
immense. While a few years ago a computer career was restricted
primarily to programming, the range of options has grown as computers
are now used in almost every industry today.
Most commonly associated with a computer career is the computer
programmer job. However, today, if you are looking for a computer
career as a computer programmer, you also have options within the career
itself. You can be an applications programmer, writing software to handle
specific tasks, or a systems programmer, who controls how the software
is used. Some employers want a programmer with a B.S. in Computer
Science, but you can get started in a computer career as a programmer
with a two-year degree or certificate.
If you are a more creative individual looking for a computer career, you
may want to consider becoming a web designer. Many companies are
looking to offer qualified and creative individuals a computer career as a
website designer. Website designers can work as freelancers, designing
and maintaining websites for a variety of clients. Other website
designers work to design, maintain, and update the website for one
company. Another computer career for the art-focused individual is
graphic design. Much of today’s graphic design is done via computers, so
it can be a lucrative computer career. Also, the web has opened up
computer careers in website administration and e-commerce.
Many people believe that a computer career involves programming and
designing software or websites, but a computer career can also involve
using the computers for a purpose. For some people looking for a
computer career means that they can work in the areas of data entry or
technical writing. Many people find that they want a career working on a
computer entering data or crafting words, but they may never need to get
into the technical aspect of how the computer works. Training to find a
computer career in data entry or writing ranges from four-year degrees
to on-the-job training.
If you are interested in a computer career, and you want to get into a
fast-growing computer career, you may want to consider getting into
computer security. The range of career options when you work with
computer security is vast. The government is concerned with keeping
network information protected, and they often hire people who are
interested in a computer career focusing on security. Many companies are
also becoming aware that they need to protect private information, and
training in computer security is key to finding a job in this computer
career.

Build Your Own Computer or Buy?
Just look inside a computer case. At first glance, all those wires and
components can look terrifyingly complex. And thinking about putting
them all together by yourself may seem impossible.
Not to worry! Even though they are the products of advanced technology,
the various pieces of a personal computer (PC) fit together with simple
connections. If you can use a screwdriver and follow simple instructions,
you can build your own PC.
Don’t be intimidated by the task of connecting the computer components
together. Many of the internal connections are molded so that it is
impossible to fit them together the wrong way. If you have ever
assembled a child’s toy, you are more than capable of assembling a
computer.
Advantages Of Building Your Own
You are probably asking yourself why anyone would bother to build a PC.
After all, you can buy a cheap computer in almost any retail store.
If cost is your only consideration, you probably are better off buying
one of those cheap machines. But if you have any special requirements for
software or hardware, you’ll benefit from the total control over the type
and quality of components you get from building your own PC.
You can save some money, too. Although you probably can’t match the
price of the cheapest preassembled PC, once you begin adding on the
inevitable customized hardware, the costs go up anyway. Suddenly
building your own computer starts looking cheaper. And don’t
forget–those super-cheap PCs are bare-boned systems. Unless you need a
computer only for basic word processing and e-mail, you will probably
have to upgrade anyway. Building your own PC can be a great learning
experience. You will gain a better understanding of how the various
components work together, knowledge that can be useful for
troubleshooting. If your computer ever breaks down, you may be able to
pinpoint the problem and fix it yourself, saving money on expensive
repair bills.
You are virtually guaranteed to get the best computer when you build
your own system. Big retailers often use cheaper OEM (Original
Equipment Manufacturer) components to cut down on costs. Components
like these can compromise the performance of a computer system.
Although you can buy OEM components yourself, the trade-off in
reliability and stability is usually not worth it. Brand name components
are just a bit more expensive, but are well worth the cost.
Disadvantages
The major disadvantage in building your own PC is that you don’t get a
system-wide warranty. For example, if a malfunctioning motherboard
fries your memory chips, you may not be able to get compensation for the
damaged memory. If something like this happens with a store-bought
system you could probably get the whole computer repaired under the
warranty.
However, if you buy all your components at the same time from the same
retailer, you are more likely to be compensated for this kind of situation.
Time is, of course, a factor. But it is educational time. And if you enjoy
tinkering at all, it counts as fun time as well.
The Bottom Line
Building your own PC has a lot to offer. You’ll be assured of getting the
best components available, which translates to the best and most reliable
computer for your money. You will learn about computer components and
how to choose parts with the best performance. When it comes to
servicing your computer, you may be able to solve and fix the problem
yourself.
Oh, and one final advantage. The bragging rights of telling your friends
that you built your own computer. Priceless!

4 Computer Money-saving Tips
Here are four tips that’ll save you money when buying your next
computer.
Tip #1 — Rebates: A rebate is not always a bargain. Computers with
rebates are often close to being discontinued. You may pick up a good
deal or purchase technology that’s about to become yesterday’s news.
What’s more, stores will often package computers with a bunch of free
items to make it look like you’re getting more value. Chances are the
extras are either poor quality or items you’re unlikely to use. Also,
they’re counting on you to not redeem your rebate, a very common
occurrence.
Tip #2 — Extended Service Warrantees: Buyer Beware! They’re a
gamble, but not always a bad idea. If you’re purchasing a laptop and you
plan to travel a lot, an extended warranty that covers replacement of the
monitor/display can be a good gamble. Replacing a display can cost
$400-$600, making the warranty worthwhile. On the other hand, if you
plan on buying the warranty for routine maintenance; save your money.
Oftentimes it can take weeks for the store to send your PC out for
service. Also, remember the store where you purchased your computer
does not always do warranty work during the first year, instead you may
have to ship it directly to the manufacturer. In general, extended
warranties cover electronics [things you can't see]. They don’t usually
cover physical damage. Most extended warranties have large gray areas,
leaving the warranty provider a lot of room to reject claims.
Tip #3 — Monitors: Don’t throw away your monitor if it’s still working
properly. Instead, keep it and save a chunk of money by just replacing
your old CPU [computer tower]. Monitors last much longer than CPUs and
the technology is usually compatible between your old monitor and the
new CPU. However, if you’re dissatisfied, then monitors, keyboards and
mouses are the three tools to spend extra money on, since you use them
every day!
Tip #4 — Networking: How are you connecting to the Internet? If you’re
using a high speed Internet connection, such as cable broadband or DSL,
you’ll want to make sure you have a network card built into your system.
If you have a wireless network at home or at the office, save money and
installation time by buying the wireless card built right into the computer.

3. The teacher spends time at the start letting pupils into the secret what the objectives (intended learning outcomes) of the lesson are, ie what is intended to be achieved by the end, and how this lesson fits in with the preceding and following lessons

4. Pupils are given open ended tasks (as far as possible), or at least not tasks with a glass ceiling. (Even lessons designed to impart a set of skills can still be more interesting than “drill & practice”).

5. There are plenty of resources for the pupils to use, enabling the teacher to give QUALITY guidance, ie not confined to explaining how to save the document! Such resources will include “how to’ guides and posters, on screen help (which the pupils will have been taught how to use), and each other.

6. Ample time is allowed for the plenary, thereby allowing it to be somewhat more useful than the POLO model: Print Out and Log Off. The plenary is an ESSENTIAL part of the lesson, used to check what learning has taken place, consolidate learning, and prepare pupils for the next stage. In fact, a lesson might have two or three plenaries rather than just one at the end.

7. Homework is set at the START of the lesson, enabling the teacher to explain what needs doing, and for the pupils to understand what they need to have achieved by the end of the lesson in order to be able to make a good job of the homework; note that homework is ALWAYS given, regardless of so called homework timetables! (It doesn’t always have to be written down.

8. Pupils are given plenty of time on the computers, with the teacher helping individuals and small groups.

9. Work is set at an appropriate standard, taking into account the pupils’ prior learning and attainment, and what is expected of their age group in terms of national standards.

10. There is a lot of questioning — PROBING questioning — and assessment for learning techniques in evidence.

11. There is a good range of material to provide for differentiation (higher attainers and children with special educational needs) and personalised learning.

12. The teacher is aware of individual pupils’ needs, such as their individual education plans — and makes use of the assessment and other data she has — remember: data only becomes information if you DO something with it!

13. Not all work takes place at the computer.

14. Pupils come in on time, prepared, and ready to start work.

15. There is a good buzz in the room pupils are talking about the work, not last night’s TV programs.

16. Pupils organise themselves and, if working in groups, work collaboratively rather than competitively at least with other members of their own group!

17. Pupils don’t keep asking the time, unless they are worried about not being able to complete the work (see below though) and don’t notice the time going by.

18. Pupils don’t understand the concept of finishing the work in the sense of having time left over to check email, play Solitaire etc.

19. Pupils, even normally poorly behaved ones, ask to be allowed to stay on, come back at lunchtime or come back early in the morning.

20. Pupils respect the equipment and the room. For example, they do not leave discarded print outs on the floor.

21. Pupils are happy and confident enough to try out things you haven’t shown them: they ask help from each other or look at the posters and manuals that are available for them.

22. If you interrupt their work in order to announce or explain something, someone asks you to hurry up so that they can get back to their work.

23. Pupils do a greater amount work, say for homework, than you have asked them to. For example, instead of conducting a survey with 10 people they decide to ask 20.

24. Pupils do a wider range of work than you have asked them to. For example, instead of just writing about what the hospital of the future will be like, they canvass the views of others and carry out some research about current developments.

25. Pupils want to show off to you little tricks they have discovered, such as keyboard shortcuts.

26. Pupils talk to their friends about the lesson.

27. Pupils discuss with their friends the possibility of taking a particular ICT course in 3 years time.

28. Pupils not only want to assist at open evenings/days, but are able to look after and even create an ICT presentation on your behalf.

29. Pupils are able to help other (younger or older) pupils with confidence and enthusiasm.

30. Pupils ask you questions that you are unable to answer.

3 Simple Ways To Save A Bunch Of Money When Buying A New
Computer!
Looking to buy a new computer?
Overwhelmed by all of the options available to you?
Stressed by the high cost of computers today?
For most people, buying a new computer does not have to be as stressful
as buying a new car. Nor does it have to be as expensive. If you’re like
most people, and you have a limited budget for buying a computer, then
you need to try to get as much computer for your money as possible.
Here are 3 simple ways anyone can save money when buying a new
computer:
1) Shop around for best deal.
Sounds pretty obvious. But many people don’t realize they don’t need the
fastest, most expensive computer with the most “extras”. In fact, if you
are already using an older computer, even the least expensive new
computer will be a big upgrade. If you don’t know a lot about computers,
you can learn a lot by shopping around. Ask lots of questions, compare
prices, compare features, then find the best price. Shop at your local
electronics store, and look for the best deals online. You’ll be surprised
at how much money you can save by shopping around!
2) Install your own “extras”
Many computers you will find in a store have a lot of extra software
already installed. While this is convenient, it is not always the best way
for you to save money. Also, while many of these extras sound good, you
don’t always need them. You can often find better deals by shopping
around separately for your own software extras (such as a word
processor, anti-virus, popup blocker, spyware removal, games, etc). And
some of these you can get for free. So before you buy the “fully loaded”
computer, ask yourself if you really need all the extras, then shop around
to see if you can buy a scaled down computer – and get the extras
yourself for much less!
3) Don’t buy extended warranty
If you are not a computer “techie”, the extended warranties offered by
the computer retailers often sound like a good idea. After all, who wants
to be bothered paying for service on a computer after you buy it. But
keep in mind that most computers come with a warranty, and most
computer problems will either happen at the beginning (when you still
have the warranty in effect) or much later (when it might be cheaper to
buy a new computer). Technology changes very quickly these days. So
consider whether or not it’s worth the inflated price of the extended
warranty. And, if you really feel you need the extended warranty, then
ask to purchase it at a lower price. Not all retailers will negotiate on the
warranty, but some will. And whether you buy the extended warranty or
not, make sure you back up all your files periodically, just in case!
If you have an unlimited budget, consider yourself lucky. And if you do
business on the computer, make sure you get what you need, while trying
to keep the price down. At any price, buying something that does not fit
your needs is not a good deal.