Choosing A Brand

Choose a computer brand based on quality, price and technical support.

Based on your likely needs, determined earlier, figure out the core configuration you need, including processor and speed, amount of RAM and hard drive size.

Determine additional drives you need: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD recorder, Zip.

Select peripherals and additional hardware such as modems, sound cards, video cards and speakers.

Decide how many extra internal card slots and disk-drive bays you'll need in order to allow room for future expansion.

Determine what pre-installed software you want or need. Get at least an operating system, such as Windows, an anti-virus program, and programs for word processing, spreadsheets, databases and keeping your checkbook.

Choose the length of warranty or service coverage appropriate to your needs.