Buying a new computer can be both fun and stressful at the same time. Computer shopping requires a great amount of market and product research to ensure you're buying exactly what you want. The Internet offers insight to assist with making proper decisions. Local shopping, online product reviews, official electronic-store Web sites, and eBay can assist you in finding the new computer you're looking for.

Do Some Research Before You Buy

Online product research is an excellent way to narrow your options and review computer specifications in detail. Product reviews permit strategic comparisons of new computers based on facts and the opinions of those who have already purchased what you're looking for. The best way to begin is to decide what the computer will be used for. Deciding between personal and business usage can really give you a definitive answer for what resources you want in a computer. The computer's storage space, its memory capacity, processing speed, operating system and durability are all important resources to consider. Sites like PCWorld.com and cNet.com offer dependable and credible information that can help you find exactly what you're looking for. Product reviews, computer prices and comparisons, detailed specifications, and information on new computers can all be found on the two Web sites. Next, you'll need to determine the computer manufacturer you want. Manufacturers such as Toshiba, Dell, Apple and Acer are know for producing quality computers. But product reviews can help narrow your options even more so you can come to a conclusion on what you want to buy.

Do the Legwork and Go to a Store

Going directly to a store to buy your computer is an excellent route to go. It's the oldest trick in the book, but it's the fastest way to find the computer you want and bring it home. Although most stores do not have extremely wide computer selections, you do have the opportunity to actually see the computer before you buy it. There are no surprises with how the item looks, and you can be sure it isn't damaged. Even if it is damaged, it will be much easier to swap or return the computer than for an online purchase.

Shop Online

Buying your new computer online has several perks. You can find excellent discounts and promotional codes to pay less than in a store. The computer can also be customized exactly how you want it. From the size of the hard drive and memory, to its preinstalled programs, entertainment amenities and accessories, you can get a lot of advantages that are not offered in a store. All of the reputable computer manufacturers have online stores that will most likely have many more items than a physical store. Some items will only be offered online, so you can get the most out of your computer and all it has to offer. Another great place to purchase a new computer is eBay. Although you cannot customize the computer, you may end up paying a much lower price for the computer than you would in a store or on a manufacturer's Web site. The only factors you have to consider when buying online are shipping and wait time. Shipping will always add additional cost to the total of a computer purchase, but some sites offer free shipping when you spend more than a certain amount. The approximate wait time is also something else to factor in. You could wait anywhere from five days to five weeks, depending on what you order. Customized computers take weeks to ship, because they have to be built. If you don't mind shipping or waiting, buying your new computer online may be the best way to go.

Source:

cNet - Product Reviews and Prices, Software Downloads, etc.

PCWorld - Online Computer Support and Information on Hardware and Software