MATRIX

Archive for December, 2009

In today’s world of technology buying a computer can be difficult and confusing. Because of this we’ve decided to write this article to guide you next time you buy a computer.

Before you buy a computer it’s important to decide what you want. Consider what your needs are. This will affect the decision you make in which kind of computer to buy. How much memory will you need? What kind of video card will suit you best? Should you buy a desktop or laptop? What sort of processor will suit you best?

When you want to buy a computer it is important that you buy when you need to buy. After all, no matter how long you wait, what you want will always be cheaper in six months time.

Choose the computer you want to buy based on its functions, quality and ongoing technical support. The salesperson at your local computer should be able to help you with this when you tell them you want to buy a computer.

You will also need to decide which additional drives you will need when you buy a computer. These can include CD and DVD burners, CD drives and Zip drives.

There are also extra accessories to consider when you buy a computer. Will you want to connect to the internet? You will need a modem, whether it is built into the computer or external. Sound cards, video cards and speakers also need to be considered when you buy a computer as well as what pre-installed software – such as an operating system (e.g. Windows) you will need.

Printers

A computer accessory we all need. From inexpensive ink jets to monochrome and color lasers, different printers are designed to do different jobs with your computer. You will have a few choices to make when getting your new printer: price, speed, and print quality are the main ones. Ink jet printers and digital cameras are changing how we print photographs. Load your printer up with special photo inks and paper and ink jet/bubble jet printers have become one of the best options for transforming a digital image into a photograph! For speed and razor sharp text the monochrome laser printers are fantastic.

Scanner

This computer accessory is for input into your computer. Graphic designers will use a scanner often to input pictures etc. If you don’t have a digital camera a scanner is the only other way to get pictures into your computer to email, manipulate, add to cards, etc.

Speakers

These are computer accessories that most computers come equipped with. But some people like ‘game players’ want to upgrade for surround sound. You will find many different versions and brands.

Keyboard and Mouse

These are also computer accessories that usually come with a computer system. Although most people will have to purchase new ones during the life of their computer. This is because they do not last as long as the computer system itself. Of course, it is dependent on how much you use them, how rough you are on them, and how clean you keep them

If you thought that the only way to rent DVDs was to head down to the local Blockbuster or Hollywood Video, you’ll be in for a nice surprise. Thanks to the ease and comfort of the Internet, you can now rent DVDs online from companies such as Netflix, Intelliflix and even Blockbuster Online.

One of the features of renting DVDs online is the pricing structure. If you rent a DVD from a popular brick-and-mortar store, you can expect to pay about $6 per movie, including taxes. One of the most popular plans offered by these online DVDs rental services is a $17.99 plan which lets you rent out 3 DVD’s at a time with no limits on how many you rent per month.

Consider the fact that if you rent just 3 DVDs per month, then you already get your full money’s worth, but the reality is that you can rent as many movies as you want for the same flat rate. Plus, with no extra fees such as shipping, and the time and gas you save, it’s almost a no-brainer to set up an account with one of these online DVD rental services. As an added bonus, all of these services offer a free trial where you can give it a try. If you don’t like it, then simply cancel your account within the trial period, and it won’t cost you a cent.

Renting DVDs online is very easy to do. Just use your home computer and Internet connection: log onto your account and browse through all the available movies. All of the online DVD rental services make the navigation simple to use and understand. Most of the movies are grouped into categories such as Drama, Comedy, Action, Foreign and New Releases so you can browse through hundreds of titles within minutes. There’s usually a review of each film also so you can get a preview of what the plot is about. Then all you do is simply place every movie you want to watch into your “to view” list. Within a couple business days, they will ship the DVDs at the top of the list to your home.

Another convenience is that there are no late fees associated with these online DVD rental services. You keep each DVD for as long as you want, until . Once you return the DVD back in the return envelope, simply wait a day or two for it to clear your queue and the next movie on your list will be delivered.

I have tried both Netflix and Blockbuster Online and I can honestly testify that these online DVD rental services are a great deal (though I give Blockbuster a slight edge). I have caught up on hundreds of movies in the past couple of years. Also, they rent TV show DVD’s so I’ve been able to catch up on many TV shows as well. The $14.99 I currently pay per month for my service is simply an outstanding value.

Think a recession is a bad time to start a business? With used computer technology products, you can get the hardware you need for less and get that business going without depleting all of your financial resources.

The Used Computer Market and Business Startups

Before we get into a discussion of the market for used computer technology products, let’s set the scene.

Businesses looking to start up during tough economic times have reason for optimism. As a recent CBC news story pointed out, of the 30 companies that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Index, 18 were launched during a weak economy. These include: Google, Johnson & Johnson, Adobe, Walt Disney and McDonald’s.

What are the benefits of launching a business when everyone else is cutting back? The CBC cites four points made by business writer Vivek Wadwah:

• There is less competition.
• It’s a buyer’s market for equipment and real estate.
• Lots of people have been laid off, so you may be able to recruit some stellar talent.
• You will face less pressure to expand and fewer battles for market share.

Further, businesses everywhere are cutting costs. In the context of computer equipment, this means that some may be divesting themselves of hardware they no longer need. This hardware ends up on the secondary market, meaning you can get some great deals on used computer technology products, like desktops, laptops, monitors, printers, servers, and projectors – all the things you need to start your business.

Used Computer Products vs. Refurbished

If you decide to shop on the secondary (used) computer market, you will see a selection of equipment that is used or refurbished. You may wonder what the difference is.

Basically, used equipment has been used by a company for a period of time. This equipment may have been used, then decommissioned, ending up as surplus in some large company. It may be from an expired lease. It may be from a company trying to raise cash by selling hardware assets. Lightly used equipment may even have come from customer returns to a retailer. Note that some used computer technology products may have a little wear and tear.

Refurbished equipment is also used, but has been refurbished to the original manufacturer’s specifications and cleaned, either by the manufacturer or the secondary market reseller.

Some used equipment dealers also sell discontinued products. This equipment is brand new, not even out of the box.

How Can Used Computer Equipment Save You Money?

With secondary market computer technology products – whether used, refurbished, or discontinued – you can get significant discounts on everyday office machines. In fact, if you buy just after the product has been discontinued, you can save upwards of 60% off the original price. And with product life cycles being so short, even a recently discontinued computer is likely to meet or surpass your needs.