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If you have been entrusted with making the hardware purchases for your library, there can be a lot of pressure to avoid mistakes. Here are some simple guidelines you can use as you consider how to go about buying computer equipment for your library.

Do your homework

Staying on top of trends, news, and reviews is crucial to making a smart buy. The Internet is the source for the most up-to-date information on computing technology. Listed below are a few of the best sites available for product reviews and hardware articles:

CNET's Computers.com

Computers.com provides hundreds of hardware product reviews, buying guides, and articles related to computing technology.

ComputingReview.com

This site is a good resource for well-organized user reviews.

MacInTouch

MacInTouch is an excellent resource for Mac users. Among other resources, it provides an area for user reviews and product reports.

ReviewBoard Magazine

Reviewboard.com specializes in simple, concise reviews of many products, including computer hardware.

Leave the Joystick at Home

Buying home PCs for your library is a mistake for several reasons. First, they are usually loaded with different and lesser versions of popular software packages (e.g., Microsoft Works as opposed to Microsoft Office). Second, they often come with second-rate components (e.g., Intel Celeron chips as opposed to Intel Pentium), and ship with accessories that are not necessary for a library environment. Buying a library PC means staying away from the local department store chain or the latest mail-in rebate deal from your Sunday paper. Instead, find a solid company that you feel comfortable buying from.

Get it in writing

While not the most glamorous aspect of purchasing new hardware, the warranty is a crucial consideration. One out of every four or five new computers comes dead on arrival. This means that sooner or later you'll get a lemon. A dead computer can be a major problem or a mere nuisance: it all depends on the warranty and the support that comes with it. Look for a three-year standard warranty on new hardware (especially new computers) that covers all shipping costs and labor. A one-year standard warranty may be evidence that some corners are being cut by the manufacturer, and 90 days should make a buyer beware.

If you find a computer company that suits your needs, stick with it. Why? First, it makes doing research a manageable task. Staying on top of the product developments at a single manufacturer is much less daunting than trying to follow all of the technology trends coming out of Silicon Valley. Second, using a single company ensures that you will learn its quirks. Every company provides warranties and support differently. Getting to know the best sources of information for answers at a single company may be a frustrating experience, but once you learn that a certain Web page or phone number is the oracle of enlightenment for your hardware dealer, your life becomes exponentially easier.