Hints for Compiling Shopping List
As the big end-of-the-year computer buying season gets going this year, the decision on what to buy is only slightly easier than it was three or four years ago.
The relentless march of technology has not slowed, and rapid obsolescence of current products seems assured at least through the end of the decade.
The one bright spot is that you get more for your dollar this year than last. That means, however, that whatever you buy this season will either be available for less money sometime during the coming year or fade from the marketplace.
I can’t tell you what you should buy or not buy, but I will offer a little guidance in how to approach the choice.
The obvious first cut in the decision making is whether or not to buy IBM or IBM-compatible equipment.
The most sophisticated and the greatest variety of business and professional software is written for the IBM and compatibles, so if your needs fall in that category be sure you have sound reasons before you opt for a system other than a IBM-compatible.
Being cautious and giving yourself plenty of time to study the choices and shop for prices is the most important thing you can do.
If you are a beginner, don’t be a pioneer. Follow the lead of people you know who successfully use a personal computer for the same tasks that you want to do.
Advice Often Conflicts
Don’t be surprised if you get conflicting advice, however. Few users are familiar with more than one or two kinds of computers and with more than a few software packages. Those who are successful in getting their computer to perform the tasks they want tend to become fans of that brand, if not outright fanatics. You have to make sure that their success can translate to your needs.
The benefits of having a computer and software like that of your friends and colleagues cannot be overemphasized. Everyone needs help somewhere along the way in figuring out how to make his or her computer work. The best help comes from people you know, if they’re knowledgeable.
Know What You Want
Don’t buy a computer if you don’t know what you’ll do with it. Anyone who asks, “What good is it?” doesn’t need it.
I find computers make more work than they save for typical home management. The effort required to keep track of finances, or recipes, or an address book is often greater and the results less convenient than traditional manual methods. And if you don’t already keep track of such things manually, it’s doubtful you’ll do it on a computer--certainly not after the novelty wears off and the tedious keyboarding required becomes obvious.
Don’t feel compelled to buy the same kind of computer for home that your children use at school.
The real lesson children should learn from school computers is that every computer system--indeed, every new computer program--works differently, and using computers involves constant self-education.
A child is enriched rather than handicapped by having to cope with a different computer at home than at school. Let your own needs and budget constraints be the determining factor.
Worthless Demos
Buying software is even more difficult than buying the computer. Self-running software demos are usually worthless for determining how well a program works.
Your best bet is to shop on a weekday morning or afternoon, when stores are less crowded. Take along an example of the actual work you would perform on the computer, a spreadsheet report or a set of database records or accounting records or text you would create with a word processor, and be prepared to spend a couple of hours learning and using the program you’re interested in.
Unfortunately, even this is no guarantee you’ll be happy with the program once you buy it. But it is far better than just accepting a salesman’s recommendation.
For The Record: My recent review of the Apple IIc contained some errors, which several readers have called to my attention.
There are third-party add-ons that allow the capabilities of the IIc to be expanded, despite its lack of internal card slots. These accessories include those that increase its memory up to 640K of RAM and add other microprocessors, for instance to run CP/M programs.
Apple has introduced a new 3 1/2-inch external “Unidisk” drive that offers 800K of storage and can be used in place of the standard 143K disk drives.
Also, my price comparison between the IIc and IIe models neglected to account for printer and serial port interface cards that would be needed for the IIe, increasing the price differential between them. Nor did I point out that IIc purchasers usually can get the larger 12-inch monitor instead of the standard IIc nine-inch monitor. Text quality is improved with the larger monitor.
Several readers wrote that they use their IIc Apples as portables, bundling the assorted parts into the tote bag or luggage-like carriers.
Apple IIc owners chided me for complaining about the cable snarl behind the IIc and rightly pointed out that every computer has cables going to its various connectors for printer, modem, mouse and monitor. Perhaps the IIc’s small size exacerbated the problem, but its cables made a worse mess than any other system I’ve used.
I stand by my judgment that the Apple IIe is a superior buy even though it costs more than the IIc. However, I will admit that not one IIe fan wrote to agree with me. As always, you’ll have to judge for yourself.
