You may feel a little lost when looking for a new computer. Here at Yellowstone Computing, we’re happy to help people find a computer that fits their needs. We’ll usually ask how you intend to use your computer, and what your budget is, and then give you suggestions based on those criteria. If you are in the market for a computer, here are some things you may wish to consider.
Mac or Windows
Although there are more operating systems than these, the greater majority of computer users in the US will go either with a Mac (Apple) or Windows (Microsoft) computer. While we won’t be discussing their many differences in this article, most people will opt for Windows. Macs are most often found in the media production field and certain office environments. In general, Windows-based computers are cheaper than Macs and this is a big reason why they comprise nearly 90% of the market vs Mac at roughly 7%.
Brand
While most people have a favorite brand, there usually isn’t a clear leader in terms of quality. Dell, HP, ASUS, Lenovo and Toshiba, are fairly comparable to each other. The better course is to base your decision on which companion has the right product at the right price to meet your needs. That being said, we are a Lenovo Business Partner and they are currently our preferred brand as they deliver quality products at reasonable prices.
Specs
This is usually the most significant factor in determining the price of your computer. If your computer is used primarily for the Web, email, documents and simple games then a more basic model will serve you well. If, however your needs are more demanding then you’ll want to get a more performance oriented computer. More performance will mean higher cost but if you need it, it will pay for itself.
Desktop, Laptop or Tablet
There is no “best” option here either, and your choice should be based on your needs. Tablets and laptops are great if you need portability. Desktops are still more cost effective but take up more space. Think about how and where you will be using your computer and whether you need increased portability or computing power or both. The form factor you choose will have a bearing on cost. A thin tablet or “ultrabook” laptop may be light-weight but carry a heavier price tag, as opposed to a desktop and even a traditional laptop design.
Price Tag
In the computer world, you usually get what you pay for. If you go for the bottom-dollar “economy” option, you may find it doesn’t perform great or it may have a shorter “lifespan” than you hoped. At the same time, you don’t need to go buying the most expensive system out there to get something that will do an adequate job for you.
While we are happy to sell you a new computer, our focus is on providing you with the best solution to meet your needs. If that means you keep your current computer, that’s good! If that means buying a used or refurbished system instead, that’s good too. We also don’t take offense if you want to get our input on what to look for in a new computer and choose to purchase it elsewhere. Yellowstone Computing is here to serve YOU first!
New Computer Tuneups
Computers used to be far more expensive than they are now. In addition to the decreasing cost of the components, computer manufacturers subsidize the cost of new computers by selling advertising space on them in the form of trial software. Some of these can be helpful, but most just take up space and annoy you with their ads. In the past these pre-installed programs also took a toll on performance. Most modern computers have enough horsepower to overcome this but it’s still annoying to have various programs asking you for money, even if they are legitimate. When you purchase a computer from Yellowstone Computing we remove these trial programs and make sure you’re set up with antivirus and other needed software.
So whether your current computer is in need of repair or replacement, or you just want to know what to look for in a new computer, know that Yellowstone Computing is here for YOU!
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Do you have a question or topic you’d like us to address? Email and let us know!
Mac or Windows
Although there are more operating systems than these, the greater majority of computer users in the US will go either with a Mac (Apple) or Windows (Microsoft) computer. While we won’t be discussing their many differences in this article, most people will opt for Windows. Macs are most often found in the media production field and certain office environments. In general, Windows-based computers are cheaper than Macs and this is a big reason why they comprise nearly 90% of the market vs Mac at roughly 7%.
Brand
While most people have a favorite brand, there usually isn’t a clear leader in terms of quality. Dell, HP, ASUS, Lenovo and Toshiba, are fairly comparable to each other. The better course is to base your decision on which companion has the right product at the right price to meet your needs. That being said, we are a Lenovo Business Partner and they are currently our preferred brand as they deliver quality products at reasonable prices.
Specs
This is usually the most significant factor in determining the price of your computer. If your computer is used primarily for the Web, email, documents and simple games then a more basic model will serve you well. If, however your needs are more demanding then you’ll want to get a more performance oriented computer. More performance will mean higher cost but if you need it, it will pay for itself.
Desktop, Laptop or Tablet
There is no “best” option here either, and your choice should be based on your needs. Tablets and laptops are great if you need portability. Desktops are still more cost effective but take up more space. Think about how and where you will be using your computer and whether you need increased portability or computing power or both. The form factor you choose will have a bearing on cost. A thin tablet or “ultrabook” laptop may be light-weight but carry a heavier price tag, as opposed to a desktop and even a traditional laptop design.
Price Tag
In the computer world, you usually get what you pay for. If you go for the bottom-dollar “economy” option, you may find it doesn’t perform great or it may have a shorter “lifespan” than you hoped. At the same time, you don’t need to go buying the most expensive system out there to get something that will do an adequate job for you.
While we are happy to sell you a new computer, our focus is on providing you with the best solution to meet your needs. If that means you keep your current computer, that’s good! If that means buying a used or refurbished system instead, that’s good too. We also don’t take offense if you want to get our input on what to look for in a new computer and choose to purchase it elsewhere. Yellowstone Computing is here to serve YOU first!
New Computer Tuneups
Computers used to be far more expensive than they are now. In addition to the decreasing cost of the components, computer manufacturers subsidize the cost of new computers by selling advertising space on them in the form of trial software. Some of these can be helpful, but most just take up space and annoy you with their ads. In the past these pre-installed programs also took a toll on performance. Most modern computers have enough horsepower to overcome this but it’s still annoying to have various programs asking you for money, even if they are legitimate. When you purchase a computer from Yellowstone Computing we remove these trial programs and make sure you’re set up with antivirus and other needed software.
So whether your current computer is in need of repair or replacement, or you just want to know what to look for in a new computer, know that Yellowstone Computing is here for YOU!
-------------
Do you have a question or topic you’d like us to address? Email and let us know!
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