Purchasing a computer consists of research and planning. Computers are like women. Unless you are a woman, in which case computers are like men. By that, I mean computers are absolutely marvellous and delightful, and it is very difficult to get by without having one intimately involved in your life. However, they are also obnoxious, frustrating, uncooperative, and a royal pain in the neck and cost twice as much to purchase, as they will be worth a few months down the road. If computers were not, identical to a relationship with a "significant other," so marvellous and delightful you would kick them out of the house and your life forever. In comparison to "shopping" for a bride, you must take time and effort planning and researching your computer needs. You must initially forget about price, secondly picture yourself using your new computer, read reviews, write down defining preferences and finally exercise your desire.
             Forget about price because a computer exists that will fit your wallet as well as your needs. You may have to re-adjust some of your demands like it having to be a Sony. Can you settle for a knockoff or another inexpensive brand? If you are willing to be patient, you can always wait for a sale or hunt through outlet and discount stores. In any case, trying to focus the decision making process by using price as your starting criteria is usually ineffective and unproductive. The price can affect the result after following the process of research but usually does not come into play.
             Picture yourself using your new computer. You might think you know nothing about computers, but you will be surprised by your preconceived ideas and preferences. Is your ideal system a desktop or a laptop? Are there are a variety of peripherals such as printers and scanners and external speakers connected all over? How large (or small) is the monitor? Similarly, when looking for a pa
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