Computer
Shopper’s Checklist
The
secret to getting the right computer is to focus on what you plan to do on your
computer. Your answers to the following
questions will help someone provide or build the most effective computer system
for your needs. Consider the needs of
everyone who will be using this computer.
Take this completed form with you when you shop for a computer.
|
Activity |
Examples |
Yes |
No |
Maybe |
Unsure |
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I plan to use the following types of software
applications . . . |
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Word
processing (create letters and documents) |
Word,
WordPerfect |
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Spread
sheet (calculations, charts/graphs, record keeping) |
Excel,
Quattro Pro |
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Budgets
(balance checkbooks and maintain records) |
Quicken,
Money |
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Accounting
(debits, credits, general ledger) |
QuickBooks,
Peachtree |
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Database
(complex record-keeping) |
Access,
FoxPro |
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Presentations
(computerized “slide show”) |
PowerPoint |
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Drawing
|
Paint |
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Graphic
design |
Photoshop,
PShop Elements |
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Web
Editing |
FrontPage,
Dreamweaver |
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Desktop
publishing for creating fancy brochures |
Publisher,
InDesign, Quark |
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Photography
enhancement |
ImageReady |
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Voice-recognition
software |
Dragon |
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Games
– relatively simple games |
Solitaire |
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Games
– complex strategy games |
Civilization,
Dungeons |
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Educational
software for kids |
JumpStart |
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In addition . . . |
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I
must have a computer that is portable. |
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I
like to have the latest technologies and software on my computer. |
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Young
children will be using the computer. |
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I
plan to access the Internet with a dial-up account (~ $20 per mo). |
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I
plan to access the Internet with a cable or DSL account (~$30-50 per mo). |
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I
plan to listen to music through the computer. |
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I
would like to watch DVD movies on my computer. |
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I
want to use voice-recognition software to compose documents. |
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I
plan to use many different software applications at the same time. |
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I
am comfortable installing new software on my computer. |
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I
plan to add lots of new devices to my computer. |
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I
am comfortable opening the computer and working with inside parts. |
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I
have critical data on my computer that I need to back up easily/often. |
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I
need a very high quality monitor because I plan to create images on my
computer. |
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I
frequently need to print documents in color. |
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I want
to do some high-end multimedia video, audio, or image enhancement projects. |
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I
need a quality security program like PC-Cillin or Norton that automatically updates
for 1 year. |
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I
need a quality surge protector that automatically signals me when it has
died. |
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I need a computer that takes up very little space. |
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I
may need an all-in-one device that prints, faxes, copies, and scans. |
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I
need a wireless connection between my various computers and components. |
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I
need built-in wireless technology (Wi-Fi) on my laptop for a cable-free
Internet connection. |
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I
need a Floppy Disk Drive since I will want to easily share files with others
on diskette. |
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And finally . . .
·
I currently own a _________________________________________________________________________________computer.
·
I currently have the following printer, monitor, scanner, etc. that I
would like to use with my new computer:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
·
The maximum I can afford to spend is:
____$500 ____$1,000 ____$2,000 ____$3,000 ____$4,000 __________(specify)