|
So now you recognize that you're venturing into the new territory
of the home office, and maybe you aren't quite as ready to
make the quick purchase as you thought you were. It's OK.
By the time you finish these steps, you'll possess all the
knowledge you need to make an intelligent purchasing decision.
Your first step is to take a look at what you do and evaluate
your needs; your job dictates what type of computer, software,
and peripherals you'll need to get the job done.
Keep in mind the following:
What's Your Job?
In many ways, your job helps define your computer needs more
than any other factor. If you're a graphic artist, for example,
you'll need a more powerful system than a writer who does
little more than word processing. Consider these questions:
-
What do you need to do on the computer to complete your
job?
-
What types of software will you use?
-
How many programs will you have open at the same time?
-
Will you need to send and receive faxes?
-
What quality do you need for printed material?
How Much Space Do You Have?
Another key factor in defining your computer choice is how
much space you have for your office. Are you working on the
dining room table or do you have a dedicated room? If you
have a room, just how big is it? As you look at these factors,
you can begin to decide whether a laptop or desktop is a better
choice, or whether a flat screen monitor is worth the extra
expense. Perhaps a multi-function printer/scanner/fax is better
for you if you lack desktop real estate. You need to look
at these types of issues before you start shopping.
Laptop Versus Desktop
Before you go any further, you should address the laptop
versus desktop debate. Laptops may be more attractive than
desktops, but you usually don't get as much bang for your
buck, so be sure you really need one before you buy.
| Choose a laptop if: |
Choose a desktop if: |
| Space is very tight |
You have plenty of space |
| You need to travel a lot |
You work mostly in your home office |
| Portability is more important than the ability to upgrade
|
You want to be able to upgrade the computer fairly easily |
| You can live with a 15" or smaller display |
You want a display that is 17" or larger |
| You can afford to pay more for portability at the expense
of power |
You want to get the best performance you can get for
your money. |
If you do buy a laptop, consider getting a docking station,
or port replicator. This is a device that lets you connect
to a network and connect an external monitor, keyboard, and
mouse to your laptop. If you work with your laptop at home
a lot, this may be worth the extra expense.
|
