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Wire Service
Buying a Computer Without the HurtWhen it comes to making decisions, I doubt anyone would call me wishy-washy. But there's one that never fails to turn me into a bona fide grouch -- buying a new computer.Over the years, I've learned a few things that have made the process somewhat less stressful, the first of which is that form follows function. Before doing anything else, I decide what I need my computer to do tomorrow and four years down the road (the amount of time, on average, I keep a model before the urge to upgrade is too strong to ignore). This self-examination isn't limited to hardware; I also look at software programs -- and how much storage space and power I'll need to run them.Then, I head to the Web, where I first visit sites that give me tips on buying a computer and what to look for, such as InfoHQ. Another favorite is the Kim Komando Show. This computer guru's site can't be beat for anything related to computers; if you visit, be sure to sign up for her daily e-mail tip.You also may find ComputerHope.com helpful; this site even has chat rooms and forums where you can learn from the experience of others.Ratings from professionals such as Consumer Reports and consumer evaluations such as those at Amazon.com and BizRate Shopping Service gave me the tools I need to whittle down my list even more.At BizRate, for instance, you can compare models by price range, brand, operating system and more. Once you've found a model, you'll find an extensive list of sites where you can purchase a computer.In the end, my own experience usually wins out. After considerable shopping around, I stuck with Dell, because the company lets me configure online what I want and, if I watch when I order, offers free shipping. In fact, counting a laptop, this is my third Dell. So far, I've been more than happy with the result; and like the other models before it, this latest one was on my doorstep less than five days after I pushed the submit order button.This time, though, I signed up for in-home installation -- called PC Home Installation with Migration -- mostly because I was clueless about how to reinstall my cable Internet connection and was totally unfamiliar with Windows XP. For roughly $170, a computer professional in my area -- in this case, Advanced Computer Services in Girard -- arranged to set up my new computer. In about an hour, everything, including software programs from my old computer, was re-hooked up and I was ready to roll.Yes, I'd sign up for the service again in a heartbeat. Just the fact that the technician connected my formerly dial-up America Online -- to which I subscribe for just a few hours a month -- through my cable connection made it worth every penny."