Shopping for a computer doesn't need to be hard. First think about what you need. Are you looking for a computer to perform basic tasks or to meet special requirements? Then do a little homework, and finally go shopping armed with that knowledge. You'll get a computer you can be happy with, and you'll get the best value for your money.

Instructions:-Before you shop

Step One

Decide if you're better served by the PC/Windows platform or the Macintosh. You can generally get a faster computer for your money by choosing a Windows machine, but Macs come with more easy-to-use built-in software. Top brands are Dell, Hewlett- Packard, IBM, Acer and HCL. Apple, of course, makes the Macintosh.

Step Two

Think about whether this machine will need to work with your office or school server. Exchanging files between platforms is less of an issue than it used to be, but it's still worth noting. Normally for home use you will use a standalone use & it may not have networking requirement with other machines.

Step Three

Ask your friends and co-workers in similar lines of work what machines they have, where they bought them, if there were any problems, and whether they're happy with their choices. Also importantly how’s the Service that they are getting from their vendors.

Step Four

Expect to spend Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000 for a general-purpose machine, although you can find desktop computers for anywhere from Rs 30000 to Rs 40,000.

The basics

Step One

Realize that if you buy a super cheap computer at a Local Assembler or discounter, you're going to be on your own. Technical support from the major manufacturers tends to be a lot better.

Step Two

A computer processor, often considered the brains of the machine, has the most significant effect on performance and price. However, processors are now fast enough that other differences are often more important.

Choose an Intel or AMD CPU. Both brands offer a wide range of products which have varying speeds. Dual Core CPU’s are the latest in thing in CPU’s these days as they offer High performance. For Business Use choose from the Intel Core 2 Duo range of CPU’s. For Home use you can choose Intel Celeron if you are only going to do s