Buying The Best Computer For Your Needs

What components make up a complete desktop system?

The pieces that make up a basic desktop system are: a monitor, a computer, a keyboard and a mouse. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you get speakers, a printer and a scanner in a desktop system, too.

Should I buy an extended warranty for my computer?

If you've just bought a new computer sometimes the salesman will actually ask you if you want an extended warranty. If you've just spent a kajillion dollars buying that brand new system, your going to ask if you actually need it. If you're a person like me who knows how to fix their computers then you don't need an extended warranty, but if you're accident prone or you're in a house with a lot of children or a lot of animals, then I'd actually recommend buying that extra two or three year warranty on top of the warranty that comes with the computer. It's better to have an extended warranty and not need it than to need it and not have it.

What is the difference between a new and refurbished computer system?

If you're looking at the same model of computer and one's new and one's refurbished, what's the difference? "New" just means it's brand new, out of the box. It hasn't been touched by human hands. A refurbished computer, on the other hand, has been returned to the manufacturer because a part on it wasn't working. What they've done is they've replaced the part that wasn't working. They reboxed it and it's up for sale again. Should you buy a refurbished? Should you buy new? They're exactly the same because, often, the warranty is still good on either of them. If you're looking to save a little money, it's okay to buy a refurbished computer.