Introduction
Are you thinking of replacing that digital dinosaur sitting in the den? Or are you about to buy your first home computer? Buying a new computer can be confusing at best, maddening at worst. While dozens of factors (including the computers you use at work) may determine your final selection, the good news is that for most home applications, almost any computer available on the market today will perform at least adequately. But there's a big difference between a computer that is merely adequate and one that will really meet your needs. Here are some points to consider.

Memory
If you are buying a PC, memory - typically expressed as megabytes (Mb) of RAM - is the single most critical performance factor. Today's PCs are memory hungry, and this is especially true if you plan to use your computer for fancy computer games or to edit images or video. Think of 128 Mb as an absolute minimum, and don't be afraid to buy a computer with 512 Mb or even more memory, especially if you have game-hungry teenagers.

Features
Almost all computers come with a 3.5" floppy drive, a CD drive, and a hard disk that typically holds at least ten to twenty gigabytes of information. (A gigabyte is a thousand megabytes.) To be really useful, a sound card is a must; you may want to buy amplified speakers along with the computer, or you may already have sound equipment you can use. If you have large files to move to and from your computer, consider a Zip drive (a removable disk that holds 250 Mb of data, or a CD writer or "burner." Recording your own CDs - either data or music - lets you put more than 650 Mb of information on a CD for either transfer or archival use. Many computers now sport CD players that will also play DVD video disks. While by no means essential, these can be great options for college students or those who want to watch movies when they're not using the computer for school work or business.

Vendors
So, where do you buy? From a store? From a mail order manufacturer? From the guy down the street who builds computers in his basement? All three sources can be the right choice for you, but dissatisfaction with the vendor is near the top of everyone's list of home computer complaints. Here are some tips to help you make the right selection.

If this is your first computer, try visiting the stores in your area that sell computers. Compare prices, features, and most importantly, service and support policies and facilities. If you need someone to help determine which computer meets your needs, the stores may be the best option.

If you have been through all of this before, consider buying your computer from one of the many direct retailers. IBM, Dell, and Gateway are the largest of these; there are several others. Each offers a wide variety of desktop and laptop computers configured to meet different needs. If you ask around, you will likely find folks who have had very good experiences and very bad experiences with any of these vendors. Prices for home machines will be highly competitive and - at this writing - in the range of $600 to $1200, depending on features (the mix of which you should expect to change almost daily). The choice is yours, but remember that there is very little in the actual hardware of a basic PC that distinguishes one manufacturer's offerings from those of another. Price, configuration, and customer service are the real differentiating factors.

Finally, there is the home-grown or custom-built option. Unless you already know enough that you shouldn't be reading this page in the first place, tread cautiously. The local fellow may be able to save you a few dollars, and he may build you a great PC. But will he be around next month or next year if and when something goes wrong? If he is, what sort of warranty and service policy does he offer? Generally, unless you have first- hand evidence of a local seller's credibility or you have some very specific need that other vendors simply cannot meet - such as accommodations for someone with a disability - you may want to proceed with caution.

Don't forget the Mac
Finally, consider the Mac option. Apple's Macintosh and I-book computers have undergone a complete rebirth in recent years. These machines have long been a favorite of graphics and design professionals. Today's compatibility with PC software and files is good enough that these machines, while slightly more expensive on a per-feature basis, are worth considering unless there's a particular game or piece of PC-only software on which you are completely dependent. Game players should research available Mac titles.

Finally,
Remember also that any computer you buy will be obsolete almost before it is delivered. If you want your investment to last, buying "last year's model" is often false economy because it puts you behind the curve in terms of features.

If you'd like more information on a particular computer, try the manufacturers' web sites, or one of these online review sources. Happy shopping!

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