In order to effectively evaluate a potential course of action, data and information must
be gathered. Before purchasing a new computer and software, you should consider the
tasks you want to accomplish using it. Do you want to surf the Web and use email? Do
you need to be able to do financial calculations? Do you need the capability to create
complex documents with a lot of formatting and graphics or only plain text documents?
Do you plan to play games online?
Usually you don’t need to worry about choosing which ports to include on your com-
puter. However, if you will be transferring video using a cable, you might need a
FireWire, HDMI, or a DVI port.
Next, consider your monitor. Will you be working on a single document at a time or will
you have multiple windows open that you need to reference? Do you plan to use your
computer to watch DVDs or streaming video over the Internet? Decide what size is the
smallest size monitor you would like. (You might need to adjust this expectation later if
your total price exceeds your budget.)
Finally, list your printer needs. In addition to printing, many printers can function as a
scanner or a copier. In addition, if your computer doesn’t have a card reader (to read
flash memory cards), you might want to get a printer that has a card reader.
be gathered. Before purchasing a new computer and software, you should consider the
tasks you want to accomplish using it. Do you want to surf the Web and use email? Do
you need to be able to do financial calculations? Do you need the capability to create
complex documents with a lot of formatting and graphics or only plain text documents?
Do you plan to play games online?
Usually you don’t need to worry about choosing which ports to include on your com-
puter. However, if you will be transferring video using a cable, you might need a
FireWire, HDMI, or a DVI port.
Next, consider your monitor. Will you be working on a single document at a time or will
you have multiple windows open that you need to reference? Do you plan to use your
computer to watch DVDs or streaming video over the Internet? Decide what size is the
smallest size monitor you would like. (You might need to adjust this expectation later if
your total price exceeds your budget.)
Finally, list your printer needs. In addition to printing, many printers can function as a
scanner or a copier. In addition, if your computer doesn’t have a card reader (to read
flash memory cards), you might want to get a printer that has a card reader.
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