We’ve all been there – every single one of us. It’s time to buy a new computer and then the anxiety sets in. Which one do I buy? What has the best hardware in it? What is the "latest and greatest"?  I get questions like this all the time. The common theme is that people want the top-of-the-line computer. The truth is, you may not need that at all.

HERE ARE YOUR RULES

Rule #1 – The Best Computer for you is the one you can afford!

Do not overspend, because chances are you won’t see these huge power differences.

Rule #2 – The "BEST" computer, being the most modern, often is not for you.

You want the best and I do not blame you. But the top of the line model out there is significantly overpriced!

Handle it like Rocky – HIT THE ONE IN THE MIDDLE!

That’s right, don’t buy the cheapest one and do not buy the most expensive PC with all the bells and whistles. Chances are, you won’t use them or know how to use them – and guess what, and you won’t miss it either.

Rule #3 – Keep it simple, because you’re still learning

Chances are the majority of people just want to instant message, connect with friends, type letters/essays on Microsoft Word, and print. I have no hard found evidence of figures, but I’ll assume the vast majority of you fall in this category. And quite honesty – you can buy ANY machine that is cheap and be able to do all of that and get a ton of fun out of it.

Rule #4 – If you don’t understand the tech terms, don’t worry about it!

Hardware manufacturers find many ways to lure you into getting the best PC. Do not fall for it. So you say it has the latest graphics card called the Terminator Quad-X with Triple-G speed 2gig over clocked RAM?! Does it matter? Do you know what that means? If you don’t, then do not worry about it – because you don’t need it!

What You Do You Need? I’ll tell you.

• A reasonable price
• A basic mouse and keyboard
• A "middle-of-the-road" unit – The less flashy, the better. Stay away from the Light!

The Computer Specifications:

• RAM: 2 gigabyte minimum

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP, if you can get it. Otherwise yes – Microsoft Windows Vista.

• Processor: Don’t worry about it – You’re only typing!

For a breakdown of what these specifications (such as processor, ram, etc) please see my article on Navigating Tech Terminology.

Personal Recommendations

Online shopping makes price comparison and shopping relatively easy. I like Tigerdirect or Dell for fast and straight forward PC shopping. Just keep in mind that you should buy a computer based on your needs and budget.

Conclusion

I hope you found this article helpful. It should help you cope with the anxiety or confusion caused by over marketing of PCs. Remember, you’re a beginner – you need what you can afford, will enjoy, and what will do want you want it to do!

[ARTICLE WILL BE UPDATED OVERTIME]