Tips When Buying a Renovated or new computer

This is based around experience with my renovated upgraded laptop and suggestions for choosing a new one. I am not an expert so this may not cover everything.

I have used blue for some points to make the points easier to distinguish from each other as the spacing is quite tight.

Certain words are hyperlinked (linked) to definitions in external sites.

Items with * apply more to users with high CPU intensity programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Flash and Autodesk Maya etc.

Items with ^ only really apply for desktop PCs, not laptops.

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Important

1. You must make sure that the company is not likely to go bankrupt or just disappear because if you have a problem and they're gone. Tough.
2.  Make sure everything is functioning including the search in the start bar, the search in explorer windows and the Help Centre (these are broken on my computer and I can't fix them). It's not the end of the world if some are broken as long as you don't mind but do you want a broken computer?
3. Make sure that the manufacturer/company provides you with the operating system installation disk for your computer. It may be pre-installed for you but when your computer starts to run into the ground (i.e. drag, crash a lot), re-installing the operating system can be a real life saves (well, the computer's life anyway). However, without the disk the only way of doing this is by buying an operating system- expensive.

Other

1. Get computers with Windows 7 rather than Vista installed if you are buying a Windows. It is improved. Vista is OK but is more power hungry so will reduce performance and lacks a couple of logical features.
2. Make sure your graphics card is sufficient to run your intended programs*, especially 3D computer games and packages
3. Make sure that your computer has a good capacity*
4. You will want a minimum 2 or 3 or GB memory (extra good if it is expandable beyond that*)
5. Check the specifications for your intended programs to make sure the computer is compatible
6. If possible, ensure that the guarantee includes missing features resulting from the initial installation as well as damages (there may be some you have missed)
7. Check the age of the computer- you don't want an old computer for*
8. Check the processor. For * you will probably need at least i5 or i7 (if Intel)
9. Check what support options are available for your computer
10. Look at reviews for your chosen computer, negative as well as positive) to make sure it's suitable
11. Make sure that the computer includes a screen if you are not using your own. This is not necessarily default and the screen may increase the total cost by a substantial amount depending on the screen
12. ^Check the screen size. A big screen means that you can fit more on it at a time. You can also buy two screens and join them together (that is, by wiring in the standard way). However, the bigger the screen, the more it costs and this generally does not work with laptops

Likely Accessories

Expect to need an external hard drive (1TB?) if * if the capacity of your computer is less than 1TB or whatever you think it will need for your files.

Keyboard and mouse: generally this is included with the computer by default but it may not always

NB: Photoshop and Flash files are big so will take up space fast. I use an external hard drive for that reason.

You will probably also need at least 1 pen drive for storing and transferring files for multiple computers.

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Something tells me you need a new computer :D