Please help! My stepfather is interested in getting a computer!

Hello dear sacmom. I think that you have thought about all the questions that are usually asked, but I would like to just add one more for you to ask your stepfather, that is, " How many G computer does he want to have, 40G, 80G, or 160G?" Maybe you need to explain to him about the G we are talking about as it shows that you could have more stuff to be stored in the computer with a bigger G. Sorry I can not spell the full word of G and hope that you could spell it for me with thanks.

Questions to ask (don't worry one's that won't come out as "geek" or utter gibberish). Plus possible answers, applications What are you using the computer for? - Internet - Email - Light photography - Higher end photography - Games (offline) - Games (social)/Yahoo, MSN - Business/Stay At Home Business - Watching Movies/DVDs - Heavy gaming [The more things and the higher end the needs are the more powerful the computer needs to be] What type of computer would you prefer? - Desktop (Tower and Monitor) - Notebook/Laptop (Laptop/portable) - Tablet (hybrid of the other two) [Most likely it'll be between desktop and laptop, tablets aren't as plentiful or good to get] What type of screen? - normal (4x3) or - widescreen (16x9) - box monitor - flat screen/LCD What is the price range? -$250-500? -$500-750? -$750-1000? -1000+ Are there any special features you are looking for - Portability - CD writing - DVD writing - Connect to TV - Record TV - Multimedia Center [Some computers require specific inputs/components to do this, and even then special programs are needed for some of these] (Okay one geek question). Any preference of Operating System? - Vista - XP - Media - Mac/Leopard - Linux *********************************************************** Now that that's out of the way its 120% time. http://www.tigerdirect.com/ Desktops for $200-$500 (over 100 available) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Lprice=200&Hprice=499.99&CatId=6 Desktops for $500-1000 (over 100 available) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Lprice=500&Hprice=999.99&CatId=6 * * * Laptops for $200-500 (17 available as of this response) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Lprice=200&Hprice=499.99&CatId=17 Laptops for $500-1000 (over 100 available) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Lprice=500&Hprice=999.99&CatId=17 http://www.newegg.com Laptops for $500-750 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2030260032+4021&name=%24500+-+%24750 * * * Desktops for $400-500 (about 30 available) http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2032280010+4020&name=%24400+-+%24500 Desktops for $500-750 (more than 50 available) http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2032280010+4021&name=%24500+-+%24750 I'll make a few guesses, but maybe your stepfather is looking for a computer thats just for internet, email, light games perhaps. Just about any computer on the market will do it Desktops: Acer Power APS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103077 Systemmax KMD3500 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3403941&Sku=SYXS-DB-989844 Laptops: ASUS 4G http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220261 Recertified Gateway http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101118 Acer Aspire http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115413 Gateway MT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101089 Lenovo Thinkpad http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146311 Acer Extensa http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115418 Even if something heavier is required most of the machines can do some of it (DVD writing, photography/digital editing). But if something like high end PC gaming is wanted, then the computer will have to be high end (and most likely more expensive).

Well, it looks like a lot of mylotters have posted quite a few good questions to ask before deciding on a computer. It all boils down to budget and purpose. No point buying a top end computer only to use it for surfing the net. Kinda like buying a ferrari to drive only in the neighboring suburbs. So, ask your stepdad what he wants the computer for? Is anyone else using the comp other than himself? What is his experience in computers? Has he used one before? Then come the question of budget. What is he willing to fork out for? Then you can work out effectively the kind of computer for your budget.

My suggestion would be to go to Dell because they're good and cheap and they help you find the perfect computer for him. Short and sweet.

How much memory does he want? What is he wanting to do with his computer? What is the main work he will be doing on it? These are a few more questions you might want to ask him. Why does he want a computer? I think your questions and these few just about covers everything. Good luck with helping him find the right computer for his needs.

The best question... what do you want to do on the computer. If he doesnt know... spend sometime with him on a computer... Show him how to load photos, use money, email , games etc.. See what he gravitates to... It might not be what he or you thinks...... Then shop for a computer... If your patient you can find great deals. Also referbished computers have always worked well for me..(hp and dell sites sell them as well as several other sites, however, I would not buy a used computer that was not refurbished.....)

I would ask him if he wants to use the computer for just reading email or surfing, or if he plans to do more with it later on, like maybe doing his finances, doing research, doing photography,etc or playing games. Ask him if he just wants to first, us it for surfing and emailing, then wait until he gets to what he really wants and he starts adding on things. Then ask him what he is willing to pay for one, what kind of monitor he wants, etc. You have to ask the price close to the beginning, because that might determine if what he wants done can be done in the price range he wants. Ask him if he prefers Windows or Mac, Vista or Xp.

The only and only one question will be why he needs a computer. In way, what is he using the computer for? For different purposes, different specifications may be required and hence, different price applies. Of course, the best assurance would be that he is paying for it regardless of price :P

Here are some other questions that you may want to ask: 1. Flat screen, normal CRT screen, LCD screen or Plasma screen? 2. Size of RAM? 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB or more? 3. Hard disk size? 80GB, 120GB or more? 4. Processor type? with Wi-Fi capability or not? 5. Video card? Integrated or separated (for high performance games) 6. Sound card? 7. Operating system? Windows Vista, Windows XP, Linux or Mac? Those are some of the things that I can think of.

OreoCookie3 is right. Your stepfather likely won't know the difference between brands. Rather than asking him whether he wants a desktop or a laptop, you might ask him if he intends to use the computer at home or take it with him. The answer will probably be the former; if it is, ask him where he is going to put it. If his desktop space is limited, he might want to go with a laptop anyway. There are some cheap Acers out there now with AMD processors, ranging between $500 and $700 dollars. Of course AMD can't compete with Intel anymore, but I seriously doubt your father will be playing any 3D games. If he is, you should make sure he gets an Intel Core 2 Duo or even Quad, with dedicated Nvidia graphics. OreoCookie3 also said you should make sure he has antivirus, antispyware, and firewall enabled and good to go. The fortunate thing is that Windows Vista is even more secure than Mac OS-X, but you should still have them. And one thing I'm also big on is script blocking. I can make this simple for you; give him an AOL e-mail account, then download and install the free McAfee SecurityCenter. It has everything you need, and will rarely ever bother you for anything. When it does, it tells you what to do. I have found McAfee SecurityCenter (actually called VirusScan in stores, but it is in fact a 3-in-1) to be one of the most proactive (thanks to script blocking), least problematic, and lightest on resources of all the suites I've tried. Get it here: http://safety.aol.com/isc/index.adp? Hope this helps!

You can ask your stepfather what he wants to do with his new computer. As it will depend on what kind of computer he needs. If he needs it to play complicated games, deal with photos, watch videos and so on, then perhaps it needs a faster and good computer. If not, a simple computer can already do a lot of simple jobs.

Kindly ask your stepfather about the basic utility of a computer as desired by him.if he only wants to surf the net,wants to do something innovative,play games,try out some specific softwares,download movies and songs etc. according to his needs only you can decide what he wants and what should be bought? I think the questions asked by you are sufficient but i think you can add a few more questions such as: what configuration he wants? (this is really important according to his needs) Does he wants a CRT monitor or a TFT screen? I think such queries will be enough.ALL THE BEST.... (if you want some other information kindly message me)

Since they don't know much about computers, i doubt they could even answer those questions for you. I would direct them to a fairly inexpensive basic computer system to start with. When I got my first computer, I had a friend who was quite knowledgeable and that I trusted, pick mine out for me. He also helped me hook it up and get started.

i think its better to ask him first where he will use it? if he will use it for gaming,i think you should need a high end model and specifications computer.but if he will only use it for office files and internet,a cheaper low end computer would do the work.there are packages that makes you save a lot and others even gives freebies so look out for a good computer sale near your area or maybe on the net.just to make you buy worthwhile and dont forget to check how long they will give warranty on it the longer the better.

i think you should ask them if they want the latest one on the market, more faster i guess and the budget..

what will he use it online for? only emails and news, or is there anything else he'd like to do online? this will help him find the softwares and additional features or equipments for the computer, or get just the pc / laptop who has them installed already so he doesn't have to pay extra on top. my friend just sold his old computer for half price. It has all the softwares needed to go online and whatever, he just didn't want it anymore

For me, it would depend on necessity...what does he need the computer for? I guess a PC desktop will do for him instead of a laptop...but since computers are a must these days, I guess it goes without saying that he would use it for visiting sites and getting informations. I guess he would like also to earn online, so I suppose you just have to ask him about his purpose for acquiring a computer...

You should also ask him what capacity of haed disk does he require as well as Ram depending on the type of work he wants to do on computer.

i think the best question that you should ask him is what do you want a computer for? like what are you going to be doing with it... could be a very simple thing than more of a complex one... good luck

Take my advice get something simple for him. Not to extreme or too expensive. If you're going to get him a laptop then that means he'd be out most of the time and not at home. But if he is home most of the time get him a desktop. If you plan to get him a manufactured brand computer - I prefer a Dell Desktop or Dell Laptop. And you would want to know what is he going to use the computer for. I'm sure he'll be able to enjoy the fact he would be able to contact friends and families by showing him how to use the internet and email. Even using chat messengers such as Yahoo. An average to $400 to $500 if you're going to get a complete set.