Let’s say you want to buy something. You can’t decide whether it suffice to buy the product online, or you should see the actual product in store, test it for a while. I talk in this article on tips on how to buy a computer case, a mouse, a keyboard, a CPU, a case fan, a backpack for a photo camera, some electronic cords, some headsets, a flat TV and a computer monitor. I also give basic criteria on what to look for on any of these products. I use, for my research and example, only amazon.com. I also give links to some reviews I made during the past years for some products I mention in this article. The article has both a video and a text version, they tend to complement each other well.
Let’s proceed then.
The video which says it all in 16 minutes:
Some things I mention in the article:
- General things:
- Tip: When you need to find a category of products on Amazon.com, searching on Google works better for me than searching on Amazon.com itself;
- Computer case:
- amazon computer cases – Google Search
- Amazon.com: Computer cases
- Electronics : Computers & Accessories : Computer Components : Computer Cases : ATX
- Amazon.com: Antec P280 Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case: Computers & Accessories
- Amazon.com: Corsair Vengeance Series Black C70 Mid Tower Computer Case (CC-9011016-WW): Computers & Accessories
- Amazon.com: Corsair Vengeance Series Artic White C70 Mid Tower Computer Case (CC-9011019-WW): Computers & Accessories
- Tip: The case should be a top seller; you should know your price range; you should find a keyboard which fits your design principles; the size should generally be ATX;
- Mouse:
- amazon mice – Google Search
- Amazon.com: Mice
- Amazon.com: Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX for PC and Mac: Computers & Accessories
- Amazon.com: HP X4000b Bluetooth Mouse (H3T51AA#ABC): Computers & Accessories
- Amazon.com: Logitech 910-002974 M325 Wireless Mouse for Web Scrolling – Black: Computers & Accessories
- Amazon.com: Anker® 2.4G Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse, 800 / 1200 /1600DPI, 5 Buttons – Black: Computers & Accessories
- Tip: It’s best to see the mouse in real life; there are huge mice and mice made for laptops, which are very small; a mouse without a cable is best (check battery life, I’ve had a Logitech with a few months battery life, and I currently own a mouse with a few days battery life);
- A review I made: Singurul model de mouse pe care l-am cumpărat și a doua oară – Mouse optic ACME MN-01, cu fir, USB, negru: desfacere produs, utilizare, impresii personale: Olivian Breda
- Keyboard:
- Amazon.com: Keyboards
- Amazon.com: Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000: Computers & Accessories
- Amazon.com: Anker® T300 Ultra-Slim Mini Bluetooth 3.0 Wireless Keyboard for iPad Air, iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini, iPad 4 / 3 / 2, Galaxy Tab and other Tablets – Black: Computers & Accessories
- Amazon.com: Azio PRISM USB Keyboard with 7 Colorful Backlights (KB507): Computers & Accessories
- Amazon.com: Das Keyboard Model S Professional Soft Pressure Point Mechanical Keyboard (DASK3MKPROSIL): Computers & Accessories
- Tip: The keyboards should be on USB (I prefer wired, but wireless are fine also, just keep a wired keyboard handy for BIOS and installing Windows); you should know the difference between a mechanical and a standard keyboard, also what is an ergonomic keyboard and the different lengths of the key run (small press or a big press; easy to push keys or hard to push keys); backlit keyboards are to be considered; I would never buy a keyboard with only online testing;
- Some reviews I made:
- Microsoft Natural Ergo 4000, USB keyboard – about this product and why some products only need minor reviews: Olivian Breda
- Tastatură Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 – review: Olivian Breda
- Unboxing Tastatură Microsoft Natural Ergo 4000, USB (2012.10.12): Olivian Breda
- A best buy keyboard: Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000: Olivian Breda
- Amazon.com: Keyboards
- CPU:
- amazon cpu – Google Search
- CPU Processors
- Tip: The CPU should fit your needs, you should research it online, and you don’t need to see it live; I wouldn’t buy a refurbished product; buying online works great;
- Case fan:
- amazon pc fans – Google Search
- Amazon.com: Case Fans
- Tip: For a case fan generally some online reading should do fine; see some video reviews on YouTube and you generally don’t need to buy from a real store;
- Backpack for a video camera:
- amazon bags cases camera – Google Search
- Amazon.com: Best Sellers in Camera Bags & Cases
- Tip: When you buy a backpack, you should have a very good reason for buying it online, and never seeing the product live; it’s hard to tell from a few pictures online if the product will fit you well; for a product such as this, video reviews on YouTube do wonders;
- Electronic cords:
- amazon electronic cords – Google Search
- Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement : Electrical : Cords, Adapters & Multi-Outlets : Extension Cords : 3 Outlet
- Tip: You can safely buy them online; generally, you get all the necessary details in the reviews & comments of products on sites such as Amazon;
- Headsets:
- amazon headsets – Google Search
- Amazon.com: Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 with 7.1 Surround Sound: Computers & Accessories
- Tip: You can buy headsets which have a too long cable, read the description well; I would test the product prior to buying, but generally you can find good offers online, so it’s worth to have a product which doesn’t fit your needs 100%, but is much cheaper online;
- Flat TV:
- amazon flat tv – Google Search
- Amazon.com: All Flat Screen TVs
- Tip: A flat TV which is only 720p resolution is much cheaper than a 1080p; buying online is generally safe;
- Computer monitor:
- amazon monitor – Google Search
- Amazon.com: Monitors
- Tip: You can be safe with buying a PC monitor online, but you generally have plenty of time to do a bit of research in a real store;
- A review: Scurt review Monitor LED Asus 27″, Wide, Full HD, DVI, HDMI, Boxe, Argintiu, MX279H: Olivian Breda
The criteria you should know for buying online:
- It’s a bigger risk of getting something which doesn’t fits your needs. You can buy a mouse which is too big (it happened to me), or to small (it happened, also). You can order clothing which don’t fit you. And so on.
- You generally get bigger discounts while buying online.
- If you buy a product online and the price cut is significant, you might want to just buy it online, and take a risk (for example, buying a refurbished or second-hand product, or buying something with a huge discount).
- Generally, it’s more convenient to have the product delivered at your door, rather than going to a store.
- You have the option of testing products in brick-and-mortar stores, and then going online to buy, although this is a bit unethical.