
Don't be fooled. Buying too much computer won't make your computer last longer. Computers are built to last 3-5 years without repair; by then, the most expensive computer you see in the store will be being sold for pocket change, if at all, and your current machine may (or may not) turn on the next time you press the power button. The best thing to do is shop smart and prepare yourself to buy a new machine every 3-4 years (if you are a medium to heavy user). Many technologically savvy buyers begin considering new computers when Microsoft comes out with a new version of Windows (about every 2-3 years); that time is generally when all software takes a big step forward and demands more from your hardware.
Buying smart: Here is a handy cheat sheet for what to buy and what to not, based on how you plan to use the machine: (chart key: "High, Medium, Low" refers to where that item falls in the spectrum of computers that a store offers; e.g., in the "lower-end" machines, etc.)
Consider the following:
Consider the following: