Gnomie Michael Riley (TopGearFordGt in our chat room) writes:

1. Look around. Don’t just buy the first computer you see. When I say this I am talking about going around to different computer stores, and tech stores. One big reason that you would do this is because if you are going to be buying a Dell laptop for $800 from the Dell store, there is a good chance that you can find that computer at Best Buy or in Canada FutureShop or even eBay. You can also look around for computers at stores that sell refurbished laptops/desktops. This doesn’t always mean that someone traded in the laptop for something different because it was bad — it just means that they fixed it because when it first shipped it might have had a washed out or broken screen.

2. Look for different companies for computers. If you are on a tight budget then don’t go and buy a really expensive Mac or Dell. Something that you could do is look for companies that will let you customize your own computer. Yes this can be expensive, but if you are smart with buying what you need then you can benefit from it. Say that the computer that you really want to buy has 2 TB of storage, and you know that you are never going to use that in your life. Then buy the optional 250 GB one that might only cost $100 instead of $400. Another thing is buying RAM. RAM is something that the more you have the faster the computer will run. Generally, if you are going to buy a Mac or Dell computer then don’t buy the RAM from their Web site. Buy RAM from a Best Buy or FutureShop — you could save up to half the amount of money or more, Like Chris did.
3. Buy a computer second hand. I have a lot of friends who have done this and they have never had any problems with them. When my friends buy computers second hand they are saving up to $1000 or more with gaming rigs. When buying second hand, go with someone you trust. Buy from a friend or family member, or when buying on eBay go with someone that has a good rating for what they sell. This can be very important, because when buying second hand you generally can’t take it back — especially with eBay.
4. Consider the machine’s lifespan. When you are buying a computer, you are going to be dishing out a lot of money. So buy a computer that has a long lifespan, even if it means spending a little more money. This can be good and bad. The good thing about this is you only have to buy a computer once every three years. But the bad thing is, if you are a gamer or graphic designer, then the technology is going to go out of date within six months.
5. Last tip I have for buying a computer is to go with the computer that is right for you. Don’t buy a computer that has three graphics cards when you are only in need of a word processor. You don’t need that 750 GB HD for emailing people, and you don’t need that 32 GB of RAM for playing pinball. And last, don’t go overboard with the display. Chris actually uses his screens, but most people won’t use that much space. Go with something that fits your desk and fits your needs.