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Buying a new PC or upgrading an old one is an expensive business but there are some very easy ways to stretch out your technology budget.
Lofty specifications and exciting extras can sound tempting but a level head can come in very handy when shopping for computers, peripherals and software.
It sounds obvious but if you're not going to play the latest 3D games on your PC, it's pointless forking out for the speediest graphics card on the market. Similarly, getting a recordable DVD drive will add to the cost but unless you make movies, you won't see any benefit from the extra expenditure.
This works the other way too. Sometimes it's worth spending a bit extra on items that are crucial to your computing experience. Penny-pinch at the wrong moment and you could end up with a white elephant.
Whether you are shopping for a complete new system or adding a few bits and bobs to an old one, shopping sensibly can save you both money and hassle.
Do you need the speed?
Manufacturers try hard to dazzle us with a variety of specifications and endless combinations of different features. Take processors for example - a classic instance where more doesn't necessarily mean a great deal more of anything but cold, hard cash.
After all, do you really need a 3GHz processor to send and receive emails? Probably not. In fact, in repeated tests we find that the latest processors rarely squeeze out any more than the slightest incremental speed increase.
You would be better off saving your cash for use elsewhere. Buy a PC that runs at a notch or two under the current top speed and you can easily save yourself anything between £100 and £200 and notice little or no difference.
Speaker out
Most people use their PCs mainly for home office work, surfing the internet and sending emails. We have already mentioned that it's not always necessary to have the best graphics card in the world, and the same principle applies to sound.
Onboard sound is cheaper and adequate for most needs, so don't worry about splashing out on a separate card unless you're very serious about using your computer to make your own sweet music.
A good pair of stereo speakers will let you enjoy a CD or two while you work but if you're not going to watch DVD movies or play games, why pay extra for those 5.1 digital surround speakers?
Fad habits
Developing technologies can also muddy the field somewhat. Recordable DVD is one of the latest fads but with so many conflicting formats and inflated prices, it's probably prudent to wait until the cost of both drives and media falls.
Besides, do you really need 4.7GB of storage? These days CD-RW discs are amazingly cheap and 700MB per disc is more than enough for most people's purposes.
Name-dropping
It's easy to be wowed by big-name brands but it can make more sense to opt for a lesser-known company's variation on a theme. Cheaper, unbranded blank CDs, for instance, are usually just as good as some of the more expensive varieties produced by well-known manufacturers.
In most instances, you are only paying for the name. The same could also be said for inkjet printer cartridges: many third-party reconditioned cartridges work just as well as the own-brand counterparts but for a fraction of the cost. But there are some risks involved.
The software sell
A similar theory can be put forward for software packages. Take office suites, for example. Microsoft Office might be the de facto name in its field, but many of its more powerful features go largely unnoticed by home users.
It's not cheap either. Its various incarnations can cost anything up to £500 so check out the competition before you buy.
A good alternative is Open Office. It's got a word processor, spreadsheet program and a presentation application but it doesn't cost a penny. The 50MB installation file takes a while to download (from www.openoffice.org) but it's easy to use and handles most everyday tasks admirably. You could also try Star Office from Sun Microsystems (www.sun.com/software/star/staroffice/6.0), which costs just £53.
Worthless warranties
It's good to have peace of mind when you buy any technology. That is, if it goes wrong, you won't have to fork out an arm and a leg to get it fixed. By all means make sure that a decent after-sales service is included in the price of your PC but beware of extended warranties.
There has been much doubt cast over the usefulness of such cover options, with a recent study concluding that most such schemes are little more than a waste of money.
"If a salesperson tries to sell you a warranty, just say 'no'. They're usually too expensive, generally go unused and you'll probably get a better deal elsewhere," says Helen Parker of the Consumers' Association.
The money you save can, of course, be put to good use elsewhere on your system. The choice between a better PC and an extended warranty is not a difficult one.
Picture perfect
Hopefully you're going to use your PC a lot, so it's important to feel comfortable with it. We interact with our PCs in two main ways: via input devices, such as keyboards and mice, and via the monitor.
It's absolutely vital that these devices come up to scratch, so don't try to save cash by working on a tiny, blurred 15in screen. A large, clear screen can dramatically improve your relationship with your PC, as will ergonomic input devices, such as the Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard (around £40).
While you're at it, give some thought to your poor old back. All that time you spend hunched over your desk can take its toll, so some of your budget should be allocated to a chair that can offer suitable support and comfort, and a suitably sized desk.
Go down memory lane
You can never have too much memory. Around 512MB of memory is fast becoming standard and it's really a case of the more the better with Windows XP.
Similarly, even the biggest hard disk in the world is finite and it will soon start filling up with photos, music, documents and downloads. Go large - 80GB at least to ensure you won't be caught short.
Better safe than sorry
We'll say it until we're blue in the face - skimp on security at your peril! If your PC didn't come with an anti-virus program then get one fast. Keep it updated, too.
It might be a pain to stump up those annual subscription fees but you'll curse yourself if you don't.
If your budget forces you to be frugal, then you could give AVG AntiVirus a go. A free version is available for download from www.grisoft.com. Or you could purchase an all-in-one package, such as Norton Internet Security 2003 (£50). Check it out at www.symantec.com.
Safety isn't just about viruses and attacks. A freak electrical surge could spell disaster for the delicate workings of your PC. Surge protectors are available from virtually all high street electronics stores with prices starting at a fiver, so it makes sense to spend some of your budget here.
Make your choice
Ultimately, the areas where you can save money will depend largely on your own personal needs. If you're going to print your own digital photos, for example, then you'll be sorely disappointed with the results on cheap copier paper.
On the other hand, it might be handy to have a ream of cheap paper lying around so that you don't use up all the good stuff printing out emails at draft quality.
There's also an argument for getting the most out of your PC and this often means spending money on a new add-on, such as a DVD drive, a decent scanner or a new software package. However, a little canny shopping can often save you pounds without detracting from your PC experience.
SECOND-HAND STUFF
As with most other goods, buying computer equipment fresh from the high street will add a considerable sum to the price tag.
It's possible to make vast savings on PCs and other bits and bobs by purchasing them second-hand. You could go through a private ad in a newspaper or magazine, buy at an internet auction or visit a computer fair.
Some retailers offer cheap reconditioned systems that offer a considerable cost saving but still have the security of a guarantee.
See also:
Cheaper, smaller and more powerful than ever, notebooks are a great choice for a PC for the home or school. We put six budget models through their paces 01 Oct 2004
All Desktop Computers
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