COMPUTING FOR THE BEWILDERED By Bill Hayles Hello, again. Choosing and Buying Your First Computer or Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. Part One. One of the hardest decisions a newcomer to computers has to face is that of choosing which computer is right for them. It's a chicken and egg situation. Until you've gained experience, you've nothing on which to base your choice, and until you have a computer, you can't get experience. What's worse, there's no "one size fits all" solution, so it's no use simply asking me "Bill, I want to buy a computer. Which should I choose?" All I can do is to try to help you come to a sensible decision, and that's what I hope to do over the course of the next two articles. Along the way, we will have to concentrate on certain lines of attack, as to cover every possibility would mean there's no room for anything else in the paper. With apologies to the Apple Mac community, we will assume we want to buy a PC, and we will also assume you have decided on a desktop rather than a laptop, which has a somewhat different set of considerations. We will also assume, probably unrealistically, that price (as opposed to value-for-money) is not a limiting factor. Talking of money, you should be aware that a computer is one of the best money drains yet invented. In addition to all the little extras you'll find yourself buying for it, a computer will depreciate at an alarming rate, losing over half its value in the first year alone, as well as being obsolete almost before you unpack it from its box. It's astonishing that anybody ever buys a computer at all! New or second-hand? On the face of it, a second-hand computer would appear to be ideal for somebody who just wants to test the water. However, computers rapidly become obsolete. There is little point in buying a computer much more than three years old, especially if you're hoping to run the latest software. A ten year old car will still run on the same roads and at much the same speed as a new one. A ten year old computer is an antique, having curiosity value but little else. A three year old computer has a value of little more than a quarter of what was paid for it new. Unfortunately, not all sellers realise this, especially private sellers. I have seen second hand computers for sale at a price tag greater than that of a new one of much superior specification. This doesn't mean that second-hand is always a bad option. If you buy from a reputable reseller who sells at a realistic price with a guarantee, and you know the limitations of what you're buying, you may do well. Once again, to know whether the particular machine on offer is a bargain or a waste of money needs experience - which is what you haven't got. So, if you decide to go along the second-hand route, be careful and, if you get stung, don't say you weren't warned. Therefore, we'll assume we're buying a new computer. Brand Name or Clone? Where to Buy From? I'm considering these two decisions together, as they are interlinked. There's no "one size fits all" solution. There are advantages and disadvantages in all the options and ideas I'm going to mention. New computers can be grouped into two main categories - major brand name or what are called "clones". A major manufacturer, such as IBM, Dell or HP, will have almost every component in their computers made specially to their own specification. That way, they have complete control over how their machines are made up. This is a mixed blessing. Some makes have a deserved reputation for quality products backed up by aftersales support to match, albeit at a price. Others simply go for the "cheap and cheerful" or, worse, "cheap and nasty" route. The big problems with brand name computers are (usually) a limited choice of options and (always) expensive repair and upgrade costs. Since the machines use components specific to the manufacturer, you are dependent on that manufacturer for any spares or upgrades. That is why the majority of second hand computers available from the retail trade are brand names. They are well built, and still working perfectly, but they are getting old and upgrade is not an economic option. A "clone" computer is one made up from standard parts, manufactured in bulk in the Far East, previously Taiwan but increasingly China. There is a wide variety and variation in these components. At the top end, they are as good, if not better, than the components specially made for the big brands. At the other end, they can be a load of trouble. The vast majority of computers for sale today are clones. Many are built by large businesses and carry brand names, such as eMachines (PC City - Spanish) or Time (British). Others are built by smaller local stores and are unbranded. A clone is as good (or bad) as the components used. This brings us to the next problem - finding the right dealer. There are various ways of buying a new computer. These include by mail order, from a major chain store, or from a small local dealer. You can, of course, always build your own, but that's not a recommended option for a first time buyer. How do you find a good dealer? By far the best way is personal recommendation (or the reverse). Ask around. Join a computer group, either one that meets in a certain place, or one that's a virtual community, such as my own computerchat@billnot.com. Remember that all a glossy ad means is that the business has a large advertising budget. Some of the better smaller stores advertise very little, if at all. They don't need to, as they get enough business from personal recommendation and returning customers. If you have decided on a major manufacturer, your choice is almost made for you. Some sell by mail order. Others have dealers. If you buy from a dealer, you can usually see what you're buying first. If you have to buy by mail order (or over the Internet) you have to be assured that if it isn't right, it can be returned. If you have decided on a clone, you have a wide choice. You can order over the Internet. You'll probably get the best value for money. But you're buying unseen, maybe from a business with which you have had no previous dealings. You could be buying the computer of your dreams - or your nightmares! You can go to a major store which sells computers, such as El Corte Ingles, or MediaMarkt, or a computer store chain such as PC City or Jump. In this case, you will be able to see (and hopefully handle) the computer before making your decision. What's more, the computer will come as a package, some basic software and (often) a printer included in the price. However, it will usually be sold on a "take it or leave it" basis, there being various fixed specifications, the hope being that one of them will suit your particular purpose. The prices will seem good. The downside is that some of these stores don't have a good reputation for after sales service, and some of the hardware used is definitely at the cheap end of the market. The third option is to buy from a smaller local store. Typically, the store will build computers to individual order and specification. So, if you know what you're talking about (or are well advised), you can specify quality components. You will be getting exactly the computer you require. Choose the right store, and the assistant will take time and trouble to make sure your computer is everything you dreamed of. Also, they're there on the spot in case of trouble. The downside (isn't there always) is that you won't be able to see your computer in action before you buy it, and very little, if anything, in the way of extras such as software or printers will be included in the price. The small dealer can't usually compete with the chain store on price. That's all for today. Next time, we'll be looking at system specifications - what they mean, how to decide on which is right for you, and what software you will, and won't be needing. If you wish to contact me, you can do so by e-mail to questions@billnot.com. Although I can't promise to give everybody an individual reply, I do read everything. My main computer related website is http://cftb.net. If you wish to join our computer chat discussion group (mailing list) you can do so by sending an e-mail to computerchat@billnot.com with the single word SUBSCRIBE as the subject. Finally, on Friday 29th November (1430 to 1630) and Saturday 30th November (1030 to 1230), in addition to our usual class there will be a sale of surplus computer related bric-a-brac, such as old magazines and software, mostly at prices under 1 Euro, the proceeds of which will be used to help towards the purchase of better equipment for the classes. Everybody is welcome to come and have a nose. We will be in The Oasis Centre, situated in the port area of Javea near the famous CopiShop and behind MasyMas If you have been, thanks for reading this.