How to Buy used computers vs. Buy new?
The Computer Advice Guy.

Today’s name brand PC makers offer new desktops for about $500. But not all budget-priced desktop computers are created equal and never buy a used desktop. Why never buying a used desktop is a good idea? Well that’s easy. Computers are assembled using several different parts and it can be very difficult to insure that all of the used computer parts are in good working order. Often times a used computer has been repaired or refurbished using parts that have been harvested from other ailing used computer to make one good one. Often times theses used computers do not come with a guarantee or warranty. I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t trust my important data to be stored on a used computer that is a virtual Frankenstein of used computer parts.

When looking for new a system, keep a few general tips in mind. Focus on the whole system, and the type of parts used not just the processor speed; any processor can handle Internet browsing, as well as basic tasks like word processing and e-mail. If you have to choose, invest in more memory and storage. Get at least 256MB of RAM, though 512MB is better. Get an 80GB hard drive, and aim bigger if you plan to work with photos, music, and video. Whenever possible, get a combo CD or CD/DVD burner rather than a player.

Pay for Future-Proofing

So just how much should you expect to spend? If you're buying today, the current industry sweet spot--the magical intersection where price meets value--hovers between $600 and $800.

That price (slightly higher when compared with that of some of the cheapest PCs available) nets a more robust box; and it will likely include more versatile components and extra slots on the motherboard to build in some future-proofing. This is critical, as consumers are now keeping their desktops longer than they have in the past--about four to five years is the average.

In the long run, going cheaper will cost you more than it saves you.

One of the downsides of a cheap jack-of-all-trades PC is that it might not be able to do what you want it to a few months down the line, when you know more.

With that sage advice in hand, we offer this soup-to-nuts guide on buying the right-priced PC for you.

Rock-Bottom Prices: $500 and Less

If you're looking for the cheapest PC possible, be prepared to make a few sacrifices. Budget boxes can handle basic activities like Web browsing, e-mail, and word processing, as well as a smorgasbord of low-energy tasks such as playing music, organizing digital photos, and running simple games. These machines are great for beginners or as a second PC, but they're certainly not for gamers or digital enthusiasts.

Generally, budget models come with a processor such as the Intel Celeron or the AMD Sempron. Though still current, these chips aren't as fast or as powerful as Intel's Pentium 4 processors and AMD's Athlon 64 chips, which you'll find in midrange and high-end systems.

Many budget systems cut corners in audio, graphics, and video performance, typically featuring integrated graphics and audio. Despite the advances of shared-memory integrated graphics, a system that features a graphics card with its own memory and graphics processor from NVidia or ATI will offer better performance.

Also, don't expect a multimedia keyboard, optical mouse, rewritable DVD drive, or fancy speakers from this bunch.

Hitting the Sweet Spot: PCs From $500 to $1000

When you go over the $500 mark, your range of component choices gets much broader. Look for faster Pentium 4 and AMD Athlon 64 processors, 512MB of memory, hard drives from 80GB to 200GB and greater, a rewritable DVD drive, improved software bundles, speakers with subwoofers, more-comprehensive warranties, and better technical support.

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