ADVICE TO CLIENTS ON BUYING A COMPUTER

(Please note I.T.-Can-Help cannot take responsibility for problems arising from this advice).

THE COMPUTER

All new computers sold new these days have more than sufficient power for the average user. The price might be about £999. It is possible to get second hand ones, including basic software, for about £350.

A minimum spec would be:

P233 processor

64MB RAM

5GB hard disk

CDROM

Sound Card

Speakers

If you wanted DVD CDROM for videos or if you want to play high speed interactive games then you’ll need at least 132MB RAM and a P433 processor.

If you want to surf the net or send emails, you will need a modem (assuming you have a normal telephone line).

HOW TO DECIDE

The main difference between the suppliers is what is bundled in with the computer. The most important point to watch is the software – if you want compatibility with college courses then go for Microsoft Works 2000 with Word 2000. If money is no object, go for Microsoft Office Suite (various levels) but this is normally only bundled in with the more expensive machines. The operating system should be Windows 98.

The next thing to look for is the bundled peripherals such as a colour printer or scanner. Usually one or both are bundled in and this saves you money. However, there is an important point about scanners: if you are unable to use a mouse, then get a Hewlett Packard scanner as these use standard Windows – most of the others, such as Mustek and those that are bundled in, have software that requires the use of a mouse and cannot be operated by the keyboard alone.

WHERE TO BUY

Look out for adverts in the national and computer press.

There are many reputable suppliers. Computers we have seen operating satisfactorily at clients’ have been supplied by:

PC World

Tam Computers (Bletchley)

Tiny

Mesh

PROBLEMS

If you are very concerned about what to do when things go wrong, ask about maintenance contracts. If you are physically disabled it might be a good idea to go for a contact where they come to your home. However, be warned that these contracts may be expensive! I.T.-Can –Help can assist with problems and our time is free, but we would not be keen to delve into a PC within its warranty period, as this would invalidate the guarantee. However, we could advise, and might even be able to fix a problem by other means.

SPECIAL NEEDS

If you have a disability, you may need special hardware (e.g. trackball, keyboard cover) or software (screen magnifier or screen reader). You may need to consult the relevant organisation (e.g. Mencap or Bucks Association for the Blind or RNIB) for advice, or you may need to ask for an assessment (e.g. from AbilityNet). More information about these can be obtained from us or via the Links page on our Website. Note that the software can be expensive (magnifiers £400, screen readers, i.e. speech output, £700 approximately).

FURTHER ADVICE

Please contact us via one of the means indicated on the Contact Us page on our website (or, if you received this in the post, our covering letter).