For the average, non-tech savvy consumer, buying a new computer can be stressful. Most people have no idea what they want, and they have even less understanding of what they need.

For example, if you’re not a graphic designer, or you don’t spend half your day gaming, you won’t need as much RAM.  If you plan to travel with your computer, you may want to consider a notebook with a smaller screen that’s more lightweight.

And sure, touchscreens are cool, but if your main goal is to purchase a computer in Denver that will let you access email and MS Word, you can probably steer clear of a touchscreen.

As such, the computer repair experts at Rocky Mountain Computer Specialists wanted to suggest you consider the following things before you buy your next computer.

Size Matters

If you work from home and you spend half your day staring at your computer screen, you may want to consider a desktop or a laptop with a larger screen (or, in some cases, you may want to look into a computer that will allow you the option of having more than one display monitor.)

If you plan to travel with your computer, you’ll want something much smaller and more portable.  Laptops that are marketed as an “Ultrabook” tend to be the smallest, lightest and slimmest.

Not all Keyboards Are Created Equal

Some laptop keyboards are smaller and more condensed, which means they don’t have the full number keypad on the right of the keyboard.  If you’re going to be doing a lot of typing, or you’ll be preparing a lot of spreadsheets that will be number-heavy, you’ll be best served by a computer that has a larger keyboard.

Some computers also have backlit keyboards, which are ideal if you’re going to be typing in a dimly-lit space (ie: airplanes).

Figure Out How Much RAM You’ll Need

RAM allows different applications (such as email, Power Point, FireFox, MS Word, etc) to run at the same time. If you’re going to need to run many applications at the same time, you’ll need more RAM. On the other hand, if you’re only planning on using your computer to check email, browse movie listings and to do some online shopping, you’ll be able to get by with less.

The more RAM a computer has, the more expensive it will be.

Do You Need a USB Port?

USB ports allow you to plug different things into your computer (ie: smart phone charging cable, flash drives, a computer mouse etc.) Some of the thinnest, most lightweight laptops are so slim that they don’t have USB ports.

Still Have Questions?

At Rocky Mountain Computer Specialists, we have years of experience in helping computer owners in Denver with all of their computer needs. If you have questions about what type of system you should buy or if you’re considering having one built from the ground-up, call our office today at 303-371-7214.