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Lesson 6: Buying a Computer • Hardware considerations

• Software considerations

• Price considerations

• Support or service considerations

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Deciding What to Purchase• Determining the Purpose

− How will this computer be used and by whom?

− Size and type of hard drive

− Desktop or notebook or netbook?

− Microprocessor speed, amount of RAM, quality of video card, size of monitor, and size of hard drive

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Deciding What to Purchase• Identifying Other Requirements

− If computer for organization, consider company standards

− If school, may purchase computers from designated vendor who can accommodate one set of standards for classroom computers and another set of standards for faculty

− Adequate bandwidth to search databases for specific industries

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Deciding What to Purchase• Selecting the Operating Platform

− Which is best for this environment and what is currently in use?

− What application programs run and any compatibility issues

− Versions for multiple platforms, or customized or specialized programs

− Work with network administrator for decision-making process

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Deciding What to Purchase• Looking at Support Options

− Warranty

− Support agreements

− Extended warranties

− Useful life of new computer

• Best guideline is how much knowledge you possess to handle basic problems and who you can go to for help

• Research what you want and how you will use it, compare specifications and price at different locations

• Try to work with IT specialist who can provide advice and information

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Deciding What to Purchase• Disposing of Computer Equipment

− Dealing with obsolete or unnecessarycomputer equipment

− Can incur costs to dispose equipment