Buying a Home Computer

• How will you use the computer?
  • Games
  • Word processing
  • Printing
  • Personal finances
  • Image creation / manipulation

    ---

  • Internet / World Wide Web
    • E-mail
    • Access to Internet
    • Software
    • Plug-Ins
    • Authoring

    ---

  • Genealogy
    • Family database
    • Views of "Tree"
    • Searching
    • Printing

    ---

  • Small Business Apps
    • Accounts
    • Billing
    • Labels
    • Communications

  ---

• Peripheral / Integrated Devices
  • Surge protector
  • Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS)
  • CD-ROM
  • Sound card / Speakers
  • Modem
  • Microphone
  • Printer
  • Scanner
  • Digital Camera

Sources to Check Prior to Purchase

• Current Comparisons / Rankings
  • PC World
  • Computer Shopper
  • WWW

  ---

• Find & Read Reviews
  • Magazine reviews
  • WWW reviews
  • Customer satisfaction surveys
  • Word of mouth
  • Best of ...

  ---

• Determine Current Range of Prices
  • Use general specifications
  • Rapidly changing prices
  • Direct mail catalogs
  • Microcomputing / Educational Discounts
  • WWW (www.insight.com)
  • Local stores (hands-on)
  • Consumers vs corporate specs

  ---

• Narrow Specs Based on Feature/Cost
  • Minimum specs
    • RAM
    • CD-ROM
    • FAX/Modem
  • Additional desired features
  • Easy to "add later" components
    • Scanner
    • Digital Camera
    • Larger Monitor
  • Omit features you'll never use

  ---

• Work a Deal
  • Direct mail catalog
  • Microcomputer Support
  • Local stores

  ---

• Take it Home, Set it Up!
  1. Follow the directions
  2. Read the manual
  3. Have a computer-savy friend help
  4. Let your kids do it?
  5. You won't learn it all in a weekend!

Minimum Specs

We're located at: The College of Allied Health 801 Northeast 13th Street College of Health Building University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Contents of this publication are subject to change without notice.
The provisions of this publication do not constitute a contract, expressed
or implied between any applicant, student, or faculty member of the College
of Allied Health. 7/22/96
The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
Accommodations on the basis of disability are available by contacting
(405) 271-2655

---standard disclaimers apply---

© 1996-98 College of Allied Health | Disclaimers | College Webmaster

Last updated by kari-boyce@uokhsc.edu on January 17, 1998

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