When buying extra computer equipment like drives, displays and input devices, a little pre-planning can make the difference between finding an adequate peripheral that might serve your needs now or finding the perfect one that will last for many years. Peripheral devices do not necessarily become outdated as quickly as computers do, and they can often outlast two or three computer upgrades or trade-ins. I have a printer, keyboard, scanner, and two hard drives that have survived two computers and probably will serve my next computer well, also. But none of these devices were impulsive buys - I put in some time and effort before making those purchases so that they would be the perfect matches to my needs, both at the time of purchase and for the future. I was less careful when purchasing mice and I now own six, only two of which are useful to me. So, follow some advice from a seasoned buyer of peripherals and you won't end up with a drawer full of old, useless computer equipment.
Current and Future Needs
Before purchasing any equipment, make a list of your current and future needs for the item. For example, many printers today can be connected either wirelessly or with cables, so, even if your current computer doesn't have wireless capabilities, consider whether you might want a wireless printer at some later date. Weigh the cost of purchasing a peripheral that will serve current and future needs against the cost of buying a cheaper, less versatile item now and replacing it at some time in the future.
Internal vs External Devices
If you have an expandable desktop computer, consider the pros and cons of purchasing internal devices over external ones. An internal hard drive or optical drive may be cheaper and take up no additional desk space but it might not be the best choice if you end up replacing that old desktop with a laptop. Remember that external devices can always easily be used with other computers and they don't need to be upgraded when you replace your computer. They also provide a certain amount of portability that does not exist with internal devices.
Manufacturer Support
Before making an expensive purchase, take five minutes or less to email the manufacturer. This is a great way to find out if the device is compatible with your computer and operating system and to see what kind of support you can expect from the manufacturer. In addition to emailing the manufacturer, it's wise to spend a few minutes exploring their website. Some of the areas to check are (1) system compatibility, (2) warranty, (3) downloadable manuals, (4) website accessibility, and (5) software downloads for your operating system.
Reviews
Once you've decided on your needs and checked out the manufacturer, a little investigative work should help you reach a final decision. Search the Internet for reviews on the exact item you wish to purchase and read at least three or four reviews, including some by professionals and some by regular users so you can get a broad range of views that include both lab results and real-life results. If the product reviews are consistently negative, start over again with a different manufacturer or model, but, if the reviews are mostly positive, you're almost finished with your quest. Shop around for the best price you can find and, when you've decided on the store, go get that perfect companion for your computer.
Copyright 2007 Claire J Rottenberg
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By: Claire J Rottenberg