The PC Buyer's Guide

• Introduction To The PC Buyer's Guide
• Step-By-Step Summary Guide To Buying A PC
• Requirements Analysis
  • General Requirements Analysis Issues
  • Determining Your PC Requirements
  • Buying, Building and Upgrading
  • Budget Considerations
  • PC Use Profiles
• Designing and Specifying PC Systems and Components
  • PC Types
  • Designing PCs: Structure and Subsystems
    • PC Structural Design
    • PC Subsystem Design
  • Key Performance Issues In PC System Design
  • Key Non-Performance Issues In PC System Design
  • Component Specification Issues
  • System-Based Key Component Selection
  • Detailed Considerations and Tips for Specifying Particular Components
  • Notebook PC Specification Issues
  • Software Issues in PC Specification
• Understanding PC Sources, Vendors and Prices
  • The PC Industry, Vendors and The Market
  • Sources For PC Systems and Components
    • Retail Sources
    • Online, Catalog and Mail Order Sources
    • Other Sources
    • Summary Comparison of PC Sources
    • Cross-Reference Between PC Sources and PC Types
  • Researching Vendors and Prices
  • Vendor Evaluation Factors
    • Reputation and History
    • Pricing, Selection and Stock
    • Factors Affecting Pricing
    • Customer Service
    • Guarantees and Return Policies
    • Warranty Service and Warranty Policies
    • Support
    • Vendor "Danger Signals"
• Purchasing PCs and Components
  • Purchase Timing
  • Delivery Methods and Issues
  • Payment Methods
    • Immediate Payment Options
    • Delayed Payment Options
    • Comparison of Payment Methods
  • Making The Purchase
  • Vendor and Order Problems and Solutions
    • Common Vendor and Order Problems
    • Dealing With Difficult Vendors and Order Problems
    • Dealing With Vendor Abuses and Deceptive Practices
• After The Purchase
  • Upon System Receipt
  • Problems With Your System
  • Final Matters