Perhaps it was the hints the kids were dropping about using your old desktop as a door stop, or maybe you’re just fed up with their complaints. Could be that you even agree that yes, it’s time to buy a new computer.

The first thing you’ll need to decide is whether to buy a new laptop computer or a desktop computer.

If your new computer will serve all members of the family and you want it kept in one place, then a desktop computer is the way to go. If you’re not sharing, or sharing with only one person (ie your spouse), you have limited room and you’d like to be able to access your email and surf the internet from any room in your house, then a laptop would be for you.

So make a list of everything you want to do with your computer. Email, surf the internet, play games, manage your finances, check your stock portfolio, do your banking, shop, download and listen to music, catch up on your favorite tv show, download movies etc.

Once you’ve decided between desktop and laptop, the easiest way to narrow down your choice is to ask your friends and family for recommendations. If they’re happy with their computer, and it’ll do what you need it to do, then it’s pretty simple. If however your sister tells you to buy XYZ brand, but her kids hate it because it’s too slow for online gaming, then it’s a safe bet that it won’t do the trick for your family.

Go online and read user reviews of the models you’re considering. They’ve lived with the product for a while and know their ups and downs.

In real estate it’s all about location. With computers it’s mostly about the RAM (Random Access Memory). When users complain that their machine is too slow, it’s usually because their computer doesn’t have enough RAM. These days a minimum of 4GB is a must, particularly if you’re getting a machine with Windows Vista and all its bells and whistles, and believe me, there are plenty of them, and they use a lot of RAM.

Find a place that will let you test drive your computer. You want to make sure, especially with a laptop, that the keyboard and built in mouse is comfortable for extended use. It’s easy enough to swap them out of a desktop, but with a laptop you’re stuck with the keyboard.

Don’t forget about the screen or monitor. It needs to be big enough and bright enough to read under all lighting conditions. If you plan to use your laptop on the patio, you’ll want to make sure that the screen is readable outdoors.

Computers are basically made up of the same parts, so don’t get too hung up on the guts of your machine. Concentrate on finding a place that offers great customer service because if something goes wrong with your dream machine, you’ll want it fixed quickly, efficiently and for a reasonable price.

As for cost, well, that’s really up to your budget isn’t it. With all the different price points to choose from, finding a computer that works for you really isn’t all that difficult.

This article was written by Shawn Wilson, a member of the customer support team at Datepad, where internet dating is always free. Datepad has a massive directory of informative dating articles along with a great list of dating site reviews on their dating blog.

[tags]computer, laptop, new computer, new laptop, buying a new computer[/tags]