If you are considering buying your first computer, you likely don’t want to spend more money than you have to, but you want to make sure your computer can do what you need it to. So, first you need to decide what you want your computer for. If you just want a basic computer to get online and do research, play simple games, send emails, use word processing software like that found in open office and get on Facebook or the other social networks you can find a computer that will meet your needs without spending a lot of money. This type of computer user is the focus of this article.
The first thing I would do if I were looking for a basic computer is to check with your friends and co-workers. Many people have a need for a high performance computer so they tend to “retire” their old system when they still have plenty of use in them. You may be able to work out a trade, or purchase an old computer for peanuts if you don’t need the newest and fanciest.
Another option similar to this is checking Ebay or Craigslist. You may pay a bit more than if you were buying directly from someone you know but this can still be a great way to save money. This works out especially well if you have knowledge of computer repair or know someone who does. You may be able to pick up a few cheap pieces that can improve the performance of an older computer without spending very much money at all. Plus, to save even more money you can use free open source software like the openoffice suite.
A final option for getting a computer cheaply is the new netbooks that are becoming popular. These are small, laptop style computers that can cost as little as $200 brand new. They do not have the processor to handle graphics heavy programs, but for everyday use they get the job done, and are incredibly portable.
