What are the things to look out for when getting a pc?

Question

Please tell me,in the easiest form.I am an computer idiot.Or if i want to get a second-hand pc,how to tell whether,the components inside are good or not?Trying to save some money,if i can.

Answer 1

Brand name is a biggie. Stay far away from "Compaq" as they have always been the worst.

Look for at least 1 gig of ram, a good processor such as a pentium, you will want a CD/DVD R/W so you can use CD's DVD's and write to them if needed. Get a display you can see well with the graphic resolution you like (use the demo system in the store).

You will probably want to be able to hook up a phone line or DSL conection so you want a built in modem and network card. If you plan to go wireless, you will want a wireless adapter too.

If sound is important to you, get one with a good sound card and listen to the demo model in the store.

Answer 2

well you need a good hard drive for starters (the intitals are HDD) if you are gettinga desktop computer get at least an 100gb hard drive if you wan a laptop at least a 40gb hard drive. Then you have your memory (will be DDR or DDR2) this should be about 1gb (or 2 512mb) in a desktop and about 758 (a 512mb and 128mb) i a laptop. The you have your CPU (or proceser) GET AN INTEL PROCESSER it should be an intel Core Duo for a desktop or a intel celeron M for a laptop. The you have your disk drive get a 52x rw that way you can rewrite over your disks if you want to. And finnaly the operating system personnaly i would not reccomend windows vista because it is not compattible with half of the software or harware i would reccomend the next best one which is windows xp professional

Hope this helped :D

Answer 3

You can get a "lemon" whether buying new or old. It happens. The most important things are to remember are to buy from a reputable seller who has been in business for a while and who has a good reputation for support.

Right now, HP would get my vote.

For a good deal, continually go to Dell's and HP's websites and look for unadvertised deals. Also, a refurbished (with warranty) could save you some money. Listings change every day but once in a while you hit it just right.

Answer 4

well, turn the computer on.... is work you in you way... the person that give you or (sale) the computer give you a garranty? maybe he/s can tell you something about this computer.... everything depend for what you need a computer... is only you need a computer to surf in the internet for example... you need to know if the computer have a modem.. and how speed is... after you get the computer you have to upgrade the pc so... also you have the rist that you computer can crash in any moment because is a second hand computer... this depend how old is this pc.

good luck.

Answer 5

At first
The micro processor (must be at least 2.8 GHz :it can run Vista)

The mother bord :
-----------------------
-with many ports: PCI or Express ports :to add some other "futur" devices
-the memory "bar" must be preferable one piece (part) it allow u in futur to add other memory cards in the empty slots
-it's basic VGA must be integrated (in case when the other not integrated vga u use (or u'll use) be broken down or will have trouble shoot u can easly conect u'r moniter to this basic VGA
-same thing for the sound card

- the other important think is the power suply bloc :it must have lot of electrical connectors (to eventualy add other CD/DvD (R or RW) drives or annother hard drive

And as said before the PC must run easily XP

Answer 6

Look out that all its components are functioning properly.Ask for its configuration and check them by switching it on.
As u r buying second hand pc,try to bargain its price to the lowest value possible.

Answer 7

never buy without turning on a used pc ... it should boot up in under a minuet and have at least XP on it ... other than that u need to know what ur requirements are ... will u be gaming with it or doing intensive tasks or just searching and surfing the net ....