Cheap computers can be seen as a common necessity for a
large portion of the population. When we look at the computer deals available
from most distributors, we get less and less enthusiastic about purchasing a
computer. Could it be we are accustomed to looking in the same places for cheap
laptop deals and discount computers? In order to save money, we may need to try
different avenues when purchasing our next discount computer.
Finding Cheap
Computer Deals
They do still exist. In this age of online marketing,
advertising, and revenue sales, more and more companies have taken to placing
their items in the online marketplace. This means more discount computers for
your to choose from online. A person can build a machine to suit their needs
through online sites like New Egg or off
customary providers like Dell. For still
others, a more advanced alternative exists—find discount computer parts to
build a machine.
Many sites offer discount computers, discount laptops, and
discount computer parts. Refurbished computers and laptops give the discount
computer deals an added zing. A refurbished computer is one that has parts
replaced to make it work like new. Many computer manufacturers offer
refurbished computers to those looking for discount laptop computers and cheap
computers. A refurbished computer often times may be far from cutting edge
technology, but can save money when focusing on a discount computer.
Coupons and Savings
from Major Computer Deal Players
We all have seen the deep discounts available from time to
time at Dell or others. These computer deals
seem to come out of thin air, but there is a governing principle behind them.
Sales. The company is trying to boost their sales by offering steep computer
deals to their customers. These savings usually come near the end of the fiscal
quarter, and, if successfully marketed, can boost their share prices by increasing
quarterly sales and revenues. Before looking for your next cheap laptop or
cheap computer, consider the time of year and maybe hold off until the fiscal
quarter comes to an end. A fiscal quarter is a three month period that does not
traditionally run in line with a calendar year. We have listed the fiscal
quarters for the most recent fiscal year in the United States.
· 1st Quarter: October 1, 2006 –
December 31, 2006
·
2nd Quarter: January 1, 2007 –
March 31, 2007
·
3rd Quarter: April 1, 2007 – June
30, 2007
·
4th Quarter: July 1, 2007 –
September 30, 2007
Building a Cheap
Computer or Laptop
A cheap computer can be found by first finding discount
computer parts and putting those together to create a machine. This process can
be done by even those with limited knowledge of the inner workings of a
computer. For a cheap computer, the basics to purchase are as follows (we use a
standard desktop as our guideline).
1. A case for the computer. These can be found at steep discounts from New Egg, Frys,
and many others.
2. A motherboard. This component acts as the brain of the machine; it must
fit into the purchased tower case.
3. A video card (only if one is not built into the motherboard).
4. A sound card if needed (again this may be built into the motherboard).
5. An Ethernet card, if one is not built into the computer.
6. A hard drive. A drive around 200GB is standard nowadays, but for
increased discounts look for one with less space.
7. Memory, also called RAM. This should be in the range of at least 512MB
for Windows Vista and as little as 256MB for Windows XP.
8. An Operating System.
Many sites online
can help you to put together these discount computer parts to build a complete
computer. They offer training videos and more to assist you with building a
discount computer from scratch. We suggest you look through the material online
before building a system from scratch. It may not be the option for you.
The Cheap Software
Solution -- Open Source Software
We are all familiar with Microsoft and their suite of
software, including their popular Office applications, as well as XP and Vista operating systems. What we may not realize is that
the steep cost of those operating systems can be forgotten with open source
solutions. Open source refers to the code behind free applications online.
Linux is an example of the open source software solution. The operating system
is free of charge, with most distributions, and can have as much flexibility
and ease of use as Windows. The open source community works on the software to
make it better for users and all the software for the operating system is free.
What can be a better discount software price than free? If you build your own
computer, consider the free Linux distribution Ubuntu
to get you started in the open source community.
As we look for cheap computers and cheap laptops, we can
find better cheap computer deals when we know the facts and where to look. If
we have the gumption, we can even create our own cheap laptop or cheap
computer. And we cannot forget about the open source software with the free
price tag. All of these options are there to save you money.
Only registered users can write comments. Please login or register. |