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Buying or Upgrading a PC

Buying and upgrading a personal computer (PC) has become simpler, with high-street chains now offering after-sales support. Some of the larger stores even offer fully guaranteed upgrades.

Although many computer experts still say that having a PC built to your specification, or building your own, offers the best value, high-street chains can often undercut specialist shops through sheer purchasing power. Before buying a PC, it's a good idea to check what the various components do and which PCs are best suited to different types of tasks.

Whilst the desktop PC is the most common type of computing device in the home, it doesn't suit everybody. And if you're especially short of space, or travel a great deal, you might find that a model from the growing choice of laptops and handheld devices is sufficient - or useful to run in tandem with your home computer.

Whether you're buying a PC, AppleMac, or other kind of personal computer, and whether you're buying new or secondhand, there are a number of potential pitfalls that, with a little vigilance, you can avoid. In particular, it is important to find out what sort of warranty the computer comes with, and what other after-sales care, such as helplines, is available.

What Do You Get in a PC?
Choosing the Right PC
Apple Computers
Choosing a Laptop
Understanding the Jargon of Warranties
Buying Mail Order
Tips For Buying Secondhand