Buying a new computer for Christmas?

With Christmas around the corner, we're getting a lot of questions about what to look for when purchasing a new computer. I'm always amazed by the information (or misinformation) given by big-box retailers like Best Buy. So I've decided to put together an honest buying guide for your next computer.

Here's What You Want & Need:

• A Dell Computer (especially if you want a laptop): Quite simply, Dell has the best prices, support and fastest warranty repair.
  
  
• 1Gb of Memory: 1Gb of memory is an excellent starting point for the majority of PC users. However, if you do a lot of video editing or gaming you'll want to upgrade to 2Gb of memory.
  
  
• CA Antivirus: Be sure to avoid internet security suites. Pat's Computer Rescue highly recommends using CA Antivirus to secure your computer.
  
  
• Safe Eyes: Safe Eyes helps ensure your child's cyberspace safety by blocking offensive internet content, creating logs of visited websites, as well as other important parentla controls.
  

Here's What to Avoid & Why:

• Anything from Best Buy (and other big-box retailers): Where do I start?!? Best Buy usually doesn't honor warranties. If and when they do, you're likely to be with out your computer for months. The reasons to avoid Best Buy and similar big-box retailers are too numerous to list here.
  
  
• Norton Antivirus or McAffee Antivirus: These products end up doing more harm than good.
  
  
• Any Hewlett Packard (HP) Computer: They're poorly built and they have terrible support.

A Dell will cost around $650-$950 for a desktop, and around $750-$1500 for a laptop. We advise gamers and home video editors to upgrade to 2GB of memory and a better video card . Initially, this will cost you a little more money, but it's worth to avoid future frustrations. Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions, or you'd like assistance in purchasing a computer. Also, you can post your questions via "Ask Pat", our free tech support forum.