small business computer buying tipsHave you decided to purchase a new computer for your business? Perhaps you’ve been struggling with pen and paper, together with your smartphone and tablet for too long. Business is booming, and you need a more efficient way to work now. The problem is, you’ve looked at what’s on offer and truly don’t know where to start.

Should you choose a laptop or desktop, or is there something that sits in between? Would something in the middle of the price range be better, or should you spend as much as you can? People use computers for a vast range of reasons, so there’s no magic formula. However, there are some things you need to bear in mind when it comes to making your decision.

Different Specifications

You might find yourself slightly bamboozled with all the technical terms, so let’s see if it can be made simpler:

  • Screen size – this measurement is taken diagonally and is only relevant if you’re buying a laptop. For a desktop, you’ll need a separate monitor.
  • Resolution – given in pixels, it refers to the tiny dots that make up the image you see on the screen.
  • CPU type – this is the brain of the computer and figures given relate to its speed. 900MHz or higher should be more than enough for your needs.
  • RAM – Random Access Memory of 4GB or higher will allow you to perform multiple tasks at the same time.
  • Hard drive – the storage capacity of the computer.

Don’t Go for the Cheapest

It might seem like the best deal on the planet, but you’ll only regret it a few weeks or months down the line when it doesn’t perform as well as you want it too. You want to spend several hundred dollars at least if you want the best for your small business needs. Spend more than a thousand, and your computer will have more features than are truly necessary. Whatever you spend, remember to keep the sales invoice as you’ll need it when you file your taxes. If you have any questions about tax deductions, a company like Tax Return will be able to help. There are tax breaks available for new equipment purchases, for example.

New or Old?

Take a look online, and you’ll find a large number of both, but which is the best for your business needs? For personal use, it doesn’t matter. However, when you want a computer for business purposes, it will be best if you buy something new. If you buy something new, it will have a warranty and support plan included in the price. Standard manufacturer’s warranty is one year, but you should look for one that offers three or more. Customer support is also going to be very useful if you have problems and need to return it for repair. If you buy a used computer, neither of these will be available.

Buying a computer for your business can be rather daunting. It’s going to be a significant investment, so you want to be certain you’ve picked the right one. Do your research. Think about what you’ll be using it for and don’t feel pressurized into buying something too expensive.