I need a new computer. What should I buy?

A question I often get asked is this:

I want to buy a new laptop (or, less often these days, a new desktop computer) What should I buy?

Now this question actually has to be answered differently depending on your wants and needs.

For example:

If a race car driver asks the question “what should I look for in a new car?”

The answer will be quite different than if a mum with 3 kids asks that question.

Or if a single person in their twenties asks it.

Different people want or need different things.

I would also ask each person: “What is frustrating you about your present setup?”

Some people will say:

“My computer takes forever to boot up and everything is slow, I open a Word Document and it takes forever to load. All my programs lag”

Others may say:

“My email takes forever to come in, and when I’m searching the web, pages load so slowly.

Video conferencing is a nightmare, with constant freezes”

The first situation points to an older computer that may well be failing and needs replacing.

The second may simply be an internet speed issue.

First, I would first ask what internet speed they pay for from their Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Perhaps they need to look into upgrading their package to get better speed. If they were to buy a new $1000 computer but keep their old slow Internet speed they would still be frustrated.

You will always get the best speed from your internet if you can plug in an Ethernet cable directly from your router to your laptop, but many people buying a laptop want to be wireless. Some newer laptops don’t even have an Ethernet port, especially if they have a very thin profile (though it might be available using a special adapter)

Sometimes an older laptop with a less than adequate WiFi chip can be given a boost by the addition of an external USB WiFi adapter (these work best if the laptop has a USB 3 port to plug the adapter into)

Now let’s say you have a decent internet speed from your provider, and you really do need a new laptop, there is still the question of priorities. A race car driver may well need a Ferrari, a mum may need room for kids’seats, a younger single person might really want the ‘cool’ look.

 When asked for advice I will ask what you use your computer for the most.

 Do you do video editing or play modern graphics intensive video games?
You should look for good discrete (not integrated) graphics. That will cost more but will be worth it to you. If that’s not important to you why pay for it.
Do you have to carry your laptop a lot?
Thin and light may be necessary.
Are you often away from AC power for some time?
Battery life is important.
Do you need a large screen?
You will have to sacrifice light weight.

Unless money is no object you will find it hard to get all of these features in one laptop. For example, gaming laptops with powerful graphics often have very limited battery time.

Don’t buy more than you need. Your laptop won’t last forever. Don’t buy features you don’t need, just save that money for your next purchase a few years down the line.

And don’t pay a LOT more just for a feature that you could add to a less expensive laptop for less cost.

For example, if an older laptop fills the bill, except that its WiFi chip isn’t up to snuff, you may be able to add a good USB WiFi adapter and get all that you need. Don’t buy the expensive Ferrari just because it has better cup holders. Buy the cheaper Honda Civic and add your own cup holders!

So, you can see that the question “what computer should I buy?” is not so easy to answer.

And, of course, there is another huge factor:

What is your budget?

That will dictate so many things. The tighter the budget the more you need to concentrate on what you need the most and make compromises in the areas of less importance.

Occasionally buying a used or refurbished laptop that had great specs a couple of years ago CAN be a better deal than a budget brand new one with low end specs.

Getting advice from someone with computer knowledge can be invaluable, just be sure to let them know what is most important to you and be honest about your budget.

All that being said, it has been known for a laptop with really good specs to just be a lemon. That’s true of almost all product purchases. No-one can predict that. So please don’t blame your advice giver! 😊