Four Ways to Save Money on your PC

It’s amazing how a product can go from being a novelty to a household necessity in just 15 years. But that’s just what has happened with the home computer. The public Internet was launched in 1995 and today, few people can get by without access by computer. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of needing to purchase a new computer, there is some good news. The cost of computers has come down significantly due to larger-scale production. By making some smart choices, you can get an affordable computer that will last longer and cost less to run. 

Choose Your Configuration

The biggest money-saver when it comes to buying computers is choosing a configuration that is cheaper but still fits your needs. If you can possibly upgrade your current system, it is likely to be cheaper than buying a new one. You’re always better of increasing the longevity of your computer if you can. 

If you cannot upgrade, you’ll save money by choosing a laptop or netbook, since both are cheaper than desktop PCs. These configurations are so close to replacing the desktop computer altogether that companies like Toshiba don’t even make desktops anymore. Instead, these companies push laptops to replace desktop computers and encourage you to buy a netbook to supplement your laptop. For practical people, just one of the two will do. 

It is important to understand the difference between a netbook and a laptop. The main difference is that netbooks have less memory and do not have CD/DVD drives. They will perform tasks similar to Windows enabled smart phones, but they will not do everything laptops do because of the limited amount of memory. 

If everything you do is on the web, a netbook will serve your needs. Understand that you will only be able to view photos, not edit them, unless you use an online editor. In addition, you will not be able to play video games requiring a large amount of memory to run.  But many different types of software are coming to the web. Soon, a netbook will serve all your needs. For now, a laptop is more versatile.  

Look for Discounts

To save even more on your next PC, try to get an open box, floor model or a refurbished computer. This can save you 10-30%. Just be sure the system comes with the same warrantee you would have for a new PC. When it comes to extended warrantees, you can usually get by without one. Most devices either break down during the manufacturer’s warrantee or long after the warrantee extension has expired. Unless you travel frequently, exposing your laptop to frequent hazards, you can skip the extended warrantee. 

Save on Software

Next to the computer itself, software is the next biggest expenditure. In fact, you can spend more on the software you need than the PC itself is worth. Do your best to transfer old software to your new PC. If the software is only licensed for one PC at a time, call the software company to find out about transferring the license. Instead of buying productivity software, try Open Office, available at openoffice.org. Open Office will fit the needs of most home computer users at no cost whatsoever. 

Save Energy

Energy savings is the next area where your choice of computer can save you money. Laptops use less energy than desktops. According to Michael Bluejay's Saving Electricity site, a laptop uses between 15-45 Watts, while a desktop uses 60-250 Watts. That can mean the difference between spending hundreds of dollars per year in electricity to less than $5.00. Reduce your energy even more by buying a computer with the Energy Star label. Energy Star PCs use up to 50 percent less electricity and the monitors of these machines use up to 60 percent less energy. That can add up to significant savings on your electricity bill. Of course, much of this savings depends on your behavior as a computer owner.

To maximize energy savings on your computer, the first thing you should do is shut it off when you are not using it. Secondly, you should enable the power saving settings. Have your computer enter sleep or standby after 30 or 60 minutes of inactivity. Your monitor should be set to sleep after 5 to 20 minutes of inactivity. For additional guidance, you can visit  Energy Star for access to its EZ Wizard to get help with your computer’s energy saving features.