Prioritize options when buying a computer

The big, fast Power Mac G5 with a separate 17-inch screen, or the sleek iMac that resembles a small TV with a 20-inch screen?

Those were the choices for staffers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, recalls Kyle Pope, an information technology manager at the Cambridge institution, and in the end, they went with the iMac: Even though the computer was not the fastest , users preferred the larger display.

``For them, the screen real estate was more important," says Pope, noting that a large screen is better able to display documents side by side.

It's the kind of trade-off Pope, who helps install and replace computers for about 3,000 users, says you should consider when shopping for a computer of your own. Depending on how you use your machine, there may be certain features you can do without.

Before heading to a store, Pope recommends doing some research to see what's available. Websites such as Cnet.com allow you to browse computers by price range or features such as hard-drive size or processor type. Pope says it is possible to get a very good machine for $600 to $700, and notes that even some $400 desktops can be a good buy.

NPD Group, a market research firm in Port Washington, N.Y., reports that the average price for a desktop over the past year was $726, while the average price for a notebook was $1,113.

Well-known brands, such as Dell, IBM, HP Compaq, and Apple, are still a good bet, Pope says, both because they have solid reputations, and because it will be easier to find someone to service them. (His department works with both Dell and Apple).

Users tend to be loyal to either Macs or PCs, and this is a matter of personal preference. Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis for NPD, suggests that families with more than one computer should consider buying one Apple because some of its software is easier to use.

Notebooks are a popular choice: According to NPD, sales were up 36 percent over the past year.

But if you don't move around a lot, Pope advises sticking with a desktop, which is usually less expensive.

Pope's department aims to replace computers every 3 1/2 years, meaning his staff has to make sure machines will continue to be useful over that period. One tip Pope offers the home user is to install as much short-term memory or RAM as possible, since newer applications tend to require more. He also advises buying a warranty from the computer manufacturer, especially if you're getting an expensive machine.

But Pope also cautions against spending too much on upgrades, noting that after a few years, it probably makes more sense to put the money toward a new computer.

``It's become less useful to upgrade a machine further on in its life cycle," says Pope, who came to MIT as a student in 1987.

His first computer in the mid-1980s was a model by Texas Instruments with 16 kilobytes of RAM and no storage. Today, he primarily uses a MacBook Pro laptop with 120 gigabytes of storage.

Ultimately, Pope says, people who set out to buy a new computer should do their homework -- both to see what kinds of machines are available, and to learn where to take it if something goes wrong.

``It's a major investment," he says. ``Find out where you can get it fixed."