All You Need to Know Before Buying a Computer, Part V

In the previous parts of this computer buying guide, we discussed how to determine the specifications for your desired PC, including CPU, RAM, storage, and display options. In this final part, we’ll cover some ideas that didn’t quite fit into the previous parts.

Picking a Brand

Your preferred brand will largely depend on the exact specifications you want, as most desktop and computer manufacturers have access to the same parts. Dell, Asus, Lenovo, HP, Acer, and several others all provide the same basic components required for a desktop. Basically, unless you’re looking into high-end solutions, you’ll have plenty of affordable solutions to choose from. Depending on what you want to use, you might need to purchase from specialized providers.

Where brands start to differentiate themselves is in laptops and all-in-one devices. Microsoft, HP, and Lenovo have options for laptops with pen input for artists, but as you might have guessed, we’re getting into pretty specialized territory.

For specialized hardware, we recommend reading reviews and sampling the device at your local big box retailers. If you’re still not sure, give us at OnSite I.T. a call and we’ll do our best to assist you.

Full-Size Desktop vs Compact Desktop

We’re mostly discussing the size of the desktop case itself here. Full-sized desktops tend to have an easier time with upgrades and maintenance, and they sometimes cost less. Compact desktops, or slim desktops, may still have upgrade capabilities, but they are more limited in scope. The thing to keep in mind is that the smaller-designed desktops are more suitable for the workplace, whereas the more intensive PCs for gaming and video production would need more space and specific hardware for cooling.

Read Reviews and Benchmarks

Many sites out there are dedicated to reviewing specific models of desktops and other computer hardware. If you’re looking for a specific kind of desktop at the store, go online and see if there are reviews on the website. High-end systems will have more in-depth reviews by virtue of them being more complicated and purchased by those who are more knowledgeable, meaning you can make a more educated decision about the solutions you purchase.

Be Aware of Bloatware

When you buy pre-configured desktops from brands, they might come pre-installed with software. While it might be helpful in certain cases, like Microsoft Office trials or antivirus, other times it can be detrimental. You might even spend time cleaning up your device to get rid of extra and unneeded software.

Getting Rid of Old PCs

The first step to get rid of your old computers is to wipe the old drives thoroughly. You should leave this to professionals, unless you plan on physically destroying the drives. Depending on the industry you fall into, there might be further compliances that need to be accommodated.

There are several other ways to recycle your PC, but the important thing to remember is just to not throw your computer away in its entirety, as there are harmful elements in it that can cause a ton of damage when they’re not disposed of properly.

We also recommend that you avoid donating a PC to other businesses unless it’s been professionally wiped. This includes replacing the drives. Donating technology is a nice gesture, but only if you’ve taken the proper precautions to ensure data previously stored on it is unrecoverable.

Do You Need Workstations for Your Business?

If you’re looking to buy computers for your organization, we can help you with every step of the process. We can make sure that they are all configured, optimized, and licensed so your staff can get as much work done as possible. Furthermore, we can help you implement the proper infrastructure and networking components to make sure your office can accommodate growth, as well as comprehensive security monitoring and maintenance services to guarantee efficiency and security. To learn more, reach out to us at (403) 210-2927.