Tips For Buying Those New Office Computers

When it comes time to restock the office with some new technology, there are a few things to consider in terms of hardware and software.

For computers in particular, it's sometimes difficult to find the perfect desktop or laptop without sacrificing the company budget. That's where knowing exactly what you need in a computer comes into play.

So, what are some tips to follow when buying new office computers that'll not only meet the needs of the job, but the company's bottom dollar as well?

Desktop vs. Laptop

Both laptops and desktops are suitable for the business world, so it really comes down to the type of work your business does. If you have traveling or remote employees that either work on the road or from home, laptops might be the best route.

On the other hand, desktops have more memory and processing capability. They're also more customizable considering they're not an "all-in-one" unit. So, you can save money by going with a cheaper monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

Battle of the Brands

The computer brand your business goes with largely depends on the type of work as well. First things first, will a PC get the job done, or does your business need the artistic, graphic design qualities of a Mac?

For most businesses, PCs more than meet the need as far as the operating system and processing power goes. Three of the most popular PC brands for the business world are Dell, IBM, and HP, so it's important to do a little research and base your decision on capability as well as price.

The brands mentioned above offer a buy-in-bulk discount specifically aimed for offices looking to outfit and upgrade their computer systems, which is yet another purchasing factor to consider.

Specification Specifics

There's a difference between computers meant for home use and computers meant for office use.

So, don't be fooled by the price, because you might end up spending more in the long run upgrading and updating a bottom of the line computer to meet the needs of your business requirements.

The following is a list of the minimum requirements that every "corporate" computer should meet:

               * 2 GHZ Intel Processor;

              * 2GB or more of DDR2/DDR3 RAM;

              * 320GB+ Hard Drive;

              * Windows OS with Microsoft Office or equivalent;

              * Graphics Card;

              * DVD/CD-ROM with read/write capability;

              * 4 or more USB ports;

              * Gigabit Ethernet;

              * 802.11 Wi-Fi.

Considering the business world usually stores files and spreadsheets rather than pictures and videos, hard drive space isn't as crucial.

So, if it makes a big difference in the purchase price, go with a smaller hard drive - you can always add an external hard drive down the line.

Warranty and Support Plans for Protection

Many personal computers come with a standard one-year warranty, but it's wise for the business world to consider an extended warranty.

Businesses should expect to get the most out of their equipment, so a 2 to 3 year warranty and accompanying support plan should suffice. And, if your business has its own tech staff, foregoing the support plan altogether can result in savings.

Whether your business needs one or two laptops or a slew of company-wide desktops, following the advice above will surely help the purchasing process.