How To Buy A Cheap Computer

By Author: Sam Stevenson
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If you cannot afford the latest, most powerful computer systems, but you need to get one, then there are many ways in which you can do it on the cheap. Here, we will discuss a few of the ways in which you can fulfil your computing needs on a strict budget.

Purchasing a cheap new model

Cheaper computers tend to be made from lower quality components and have lower specifications than high end models. On the whole, cheap computers are less powerful and reliable, but this may be more of an issue for those who need to use their computer for demanding tasks. In general, laptops suffer more from this than desktops, as desktop computers tend to be much less expensive than laptops anyway. Unless you need the convenience of a laptop, you will get a lot more for your money with a desktop model.

Buying a second hand computer

Computers are available very cheaply on the second hand market, and you may find that you can buy a used high end computer for the same price as a low end new model. This can make a lot of sense, especially when it comes to laptops, as a high end second hand model will be more reliable and ...
... perform better than a new laptop at the same price point, as long as it is not too old or battered. The major disadvantage of buying second hand is that you do not get a manufacturers warranty, so if anything goes wrong you will have to pay for the repair out of your own pocket.

Build your own

While this may seem like a daunting task, this is not as difficult as it sounds, and does not require a knowledge of electronics. Parts such as cases, disk drives, and motherboards are readily available, and they can be assembled in under an hour. If you are on a really tight budget, it is perfectly possible to assemble a computer from used components, some of which you may be able to obtain for free. This entails a fair bit more work than buying a new computer, but it is a great solution if you have more time than money, and gives you a greater understanding of your computer and how to fix it if anything goes wrong.

This guide to computer buying was written by Sarah Simonsen. For great deals on laptops, visit pcworld.co.uk.