OK, so you want to get yourself a shiny new computer. But it’s a jungle out there and quite difficult to decide what to buy. So, where to start?

Firstly – PC or Mac?

PC’s run Windows operating systems, either Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 which will be released on October 22nd, and have 90% of the market, Apple Macs various incarnations of MAC OS/X.

Just to confuse the issue further, and much to the horror of Mac users, new Apple Macs can now run Windows.

I’m completely biased; I know nothing about Apple Macs, except that Mac user’s seem a reasonably contented, if slightly eccentric Guardian reading yoghourt knitting bunch, but against that with the vast majority of people using Windows machines, this is one case where I’d run with the pack and stick with Windows. But I repeat. I’m biased.

Ok, so you’re going to get a Windows-based machine, so the next question is,

“Which Operating System?”

Well,  XP has been given a new lease of life by dint of Microsoft allowing manufacturers to offer a ‘downgrade to XP Professional’ for at least 18 months after the introduction of Windows 7 on October 22nd.

Security updates for XP will continue for 5 years or so.

This ‘downgraded’ option is designed principally for companies who are  not yet ready to migrate to Windows 7.

For the home or small business user, there is little point in not getting Windows 7 – it is a very good OS and I now prefer it to XP.

If you buy a new computer before October 22nd you will still be lumbered with the dreadful Vista, but as of the beginning of July you should be given a free upgrade option to W7 when it is released – unless you really have to , don’t buy a new computer before this option is available as you will then have to pay to upgrade to W7.

Now the question to ask yourself is “what do I need it for?”

This may sound like a silly question but if you think of buying a computer as a bit like buying a car, its horses for courses, and a number of other inappropriate metaphors.

Unless size is an issue, or you need to take your computer out of the home or office, a

Desktop is the best buy.

Laptops are very much in fashion, and are sexier, but it terms of what you get for your money,

Desktops are much better value.

You get more ‘bangs for your buck’ , faster processors, more storage, the ability to add-on or upgrade parts in the future, and they are much easier to repair.

A good basic system which allows you to browse the internet, send your emails, chat with friends, print your photos, maintain your accounts, write letters and all the normal day-to-day tasks shouldn’t cost you more than €600-€700.

If you want to play games, process your video, work with large databases or use specialist software like CAD, you will need a higher specification machine.

If of course you have limited space in your home or office, or need to take your computer with you, a Laptop is the answer, and the latest laptops are quite able to do all but the most arduous tasks.

First, you must decide on your budget, and make sure that this will be enough for what you want the machine to do.

Don’t make the mistake of buying what you can afford and then discovering that it won’t do what you want it for – I know a number of people who have spent good money on machines to , for example, play games, only to find that the graphics card isn’t up to it.

For  specific help please contact me – it can be very confusing working out what you need, and very expensive if you get it wrong!

A word about secondhand computers..

If you can get hold of a good secondhand computer, they are often a very good deal; the pace of technology being as it is, re-sale value of both Desktops and Laptops is low, so you can get often find yourself a bargain that will serve you well.

It’s not worth buying one that needs a lot of work to get it going though, unless you are an enthusiast and are willing to re-build it yourself with other new or second-hand parts.