The Alfred Computer Guy: Buying a Christmas Computer

As we ride with confidence into the New Year, the act of giving and receiving gifts weighs heavily on our minds. It is during these times that I am presented with the second-most frequently asked question by friends and family, “Where can I get a good deal on a computer for Christmas?”

You should first start out by realizing that shopping by price alone is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. I know that the notion of a $300 complete computer system is appealing, especially when you’re wandering down the aisles of your local all-purpose store and see them in a “going fast” pile. Take your time and read the label – what you see there might surprise you.

Doing some preliminary shopping, I came across a bundle deal on a Compaq desktop with a 17” LCD display for $378.00. That’s pretty decent… until you look at the specifications. First, it says it has an Intel Atom processor, but no actual speed is listed. The Atom processor is the same type they put in Netbook systems – not exactly beefy enough to handle a true desktop very well. It also lists 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive, fairly substandard by today’s measure. To top it off, the computer comes with XP Home installed when we are well into Windows 7 territory.

The reality is that this computer will feel underpowered the minute it is pulled out of the box, and personally, I like to think that a new system should last 3-5 years minimum. So what’s the answer? That’s easy: be aware of the price, but don’t let it be your sole guide in this shopping endeavor.

For instance, Dell currently has a very respectable desktop system available on their website with a 1.8GHz AMD Athlon 2850e processor (much faster than your basic Intel Atom), 3GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive, and an 18” LCD monitor for $549.00. his may be a higher price than the Compaq offering, but it’s also a better value overall. For less than $200 more, you get a computer that will last you three times longer… that spells “savings” in my book.

Still want a better deal? Alright then, how about a refurbished system? This option turns the stomach of many computer users, but I believe that a refurbished computer can be a truly sound investment. Let’s just get a nasty rumor dispelled right now – “refurbished” does not necessarily mean “used.”

Many times, systems are custom ordered, custom built, and then the transaction never goes through for whatever reason. Sometimes, a computer doesn’t pass the first line of assembly inspection, has its “guts” replaced and passes on the next round. Either way, it can wind its way into the special refurbished or outlet portions of the manufacturer’s web store at a big discount over retail prices (complete with standard retail warranty, I might add). These special stores can usually be found right at the manufacturer’s website if you look hard enough.

Another hot holiday item are Netbooks. I personally think these are fantastic little devices that have filled a need we had never quite realized existed. For those unfamiliar with the product or the term, Netbooks are laptops that are both small in physical size (usually with screen sizes ten inches or smaller), computing power, and price.

Unfortunately, many people fall into the same trap as I mentioned earlier: shopping by only looking at the cost. If all you want to do is browse the internet, check e-mail and perform office functions while maintaining a small “footprint” (a term used for how much physical space a computer takes up), then Netbook laptops are a fantastic economical option.

If your needs ever extend beyond this, if you are uncomfortable typing on a smaller keyboard, if you don’t want to purchase or carry additional external add-ons (generally, Netbooks do not have CD or DVD drives built in), or if the smaller screen will strain your eyes after prolonged usage, then you would do well to look into investing more toward a laptop that will suit you better.

Remember, there are always good deals out there around the holiday season, but don’t be sold on a computer that won’t meet the needs of the intended recipient just because it has a blowout price tag.

Do you have any questions you would like to ask? Send me an e-mail at: stone@alfred.edu with the subject “Alfred Computer Guy”. Mac, PC, Linux, OS/2 Warp, NeXT… hit me with your best shot!