| Buying a Computer
When shopping for a computer monitor, try to keep one maxim in mind: try before you buy. Picture quality can vary from one monitor to the next, and you want to make sure you can comfortably view the on-screen action for hours at a time without headaches or eyestrain.
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| Choosing A Brand
If you're looking to buy a new computer, you may be confused by the number of computer manufacturers and be unsure which one to buy from. Some of the most well-known brands are Acer, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Macintosh, Micron, and Toshiba.
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| Compatibility Issues
Apple computers and IBM- compatible personal computers, commonly known as PCs, are two different formats, and neither type of computer is compatible with the other. However, software exists that allows you to use files from one type of computer on the other type.
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| Laptop or Desktop
Deciding whether to buy a laptop or a desktop computer can be an easy decision if you know what you want from your computer and where you're going to use it. A laptop computer can be a good choice if you plan on traveling a lot and need access to a computer no matter where you are. Laptops are also popular with students who want to take computerized notes in class or work on papers from different locations.
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| Physically-challenged concerns
Over the last few years, computer technology has become more responsive to the needs of the physically challenged. For the visually-impaired, one form of breakthrough technology has been speech recognition, in which voice patterns are used to communicate data to the computer, instead of laboriously typing on the keyboard. There are two types of speech recognition: continuous and discreet.
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| Service and Maintenance
Before you invest hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in a new computer, find out the types of warranties and service plans that are included. If you're an experienced computer user, having a reliable way to replace broken or defective parts may be all the service you need. If you're more of a computer novice, however, you may eventually need to contact the computer company's customer support department for a variety of questions.
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| Which Computer is Best for Me?
When deciding which computer is best for you, try to keep in mind what you need a computer for and how much you are willing to spend. First, decide how many hours a day, on average, you'll use your computer.
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