Video:Tips for Buying a PC for Less

Transcript:Tips for Buying a PC for Less

Hi, I'm Nick, and today for About.com, I'm going to give you some tips for buying a PC for less.

These days, nearly everyone has a home computer, and with the Internet proving more and more essential to our daily lives, it's hard to imagine getting by without a personal machine. The problem is, computers are expensive and while we want them to last a long time, technology can advance so quickly that our once-shiny machine can be left behind. But there are ways to keep up with market.

Upgrade an Out-of-Date Computer

One way of getting an up-to-date computer is by purchasing an older or weaker model and then upgrading it yourself. Although specifications advance slightly year-on-year, there are rarely any huge technological leaps that can't be matched with a little bit of home tinkering. After all, once a new computer is available for sale, the old models don't just disappear – they need to be sold, somehow and often that happens at a huge discount.

Upgrade Your Own Computer

This technique also works for computers you already own. If you have a PC that's getting a bit slow, why not upgrade it, rather than replace it completely? Memory in particular tends to depreciate in value dramatically, so sometimes it can be best to avoid the high-RAM options...for now.

Look Into Refurbished Computers

If you absolutely insist on getting a current model, you could try looking at refurbished computers. Refurbished models are often given the same stringent testing as brand new models and can even include long warranties for those that are worried about the system failing them. You could get a perfect computer for a fraction of the cost of a retail model!

Look for Coupons and Rebates

Of course, don't forget that even expensive items such as computers can have great offers attached to them. Coupons and rebates are out there just waiting to be taken advantage of and they can save you quite a bit of money, so why not use them to your advantage?

Now you have a good idea what to look for when buying a PC on a budget. For more suggestions, visit compute.About.com.