When it comes to buying a computing device, do you make your purchase based primarily on price? Not to be blunt, but if you answered “Yes” to that question, you’re making a mistake. There are so many other considerations when you go to purchase a new computer, tablet, smartphone or similar device. In truth, price should be at the very bottom of your list of reasons to buy.
Let me give you an example. Apple has a new iPad for just $329.00 That’s a great price for a tablet. When you read the specifications, it sounds awesome – 10.2” Retina display, A10 Fusion chip, Touch ID, Lightning connector for charging and other devices, over 1,000,000 apps to choose from, compatible with the Apple Pen and Apple keyboard. All this and more for only $329.
Even a review of this iPad by a very reputable online computer company went on and on about how great this iPad is. With the exception of the camera, the reviewer just thought this iPad at $329 is the steal of the century.
Not so fast. “Let the buyer beware!” At $329, this iPad has 32GB of hard drive space. If you’re going to use a tablet for anything, 32GB (or heaven forbid, 16GB) just isn’t going to cut it. When I look for a tablet, I don’t consider anything less than 64GB. (The same iPad model with 128GB of hard drive space is $429, one hundred dollars more.)
You should know, I don’t just make up these things I tell you. I have examples. I was in a customer’s home setting up a new computer which I had sold them and the wife asked me to look at her iPad. She liked to play games on her tablet and she had downloaded a few. She wanted to download one more game and the iPad notified her that there wasn’t enough space. When I looked, sure enough, the iPad had a 32GB hard drive which was 98% full. She asked me if I could add more hard drive space. I had to tell her that I could not. She looked at me and said, “Now I know why this iPad was so cheap.” For her, the iPad had turned into an expensive paper weight. For a different customer, I didn’t have to tell him anything. He discovered the problem all on his own but the scenario was the same. He wanted to add programs from the Apple Store and discovered his 32GB device didn’t have enough space. By the time he told me the story, he had already purchased an iPad with much more hard drive space.
Here’s the thing: if you’re not sure what specifications to look for – hard drive space, RAM, what generation processor, etc. – then don’t buy a computing device without seeking advice. Don’t let price fool you. Also, don’t rely solely on online reviews. The review I mentioned above is a perfect example. That writer gave a glowing review but left out the most important item – 32GB just isn’t enough in this day and age.
So, who should you ask? Keystone Computer Concepts, of course. We live and breathe computing devices every day. I have example after example of things we see. Always check with us first. Remember, Caveat emptor!
Want to save $30 on the 128GB version of this iPad? Just click on the iPad picture at the top of this post.
John, I want to apply for a Chase Southwest credit card. The only way to do it is through the internet. I am concerned as I have to submit my social security number and personal information. I am concerned about safety. I was advised I can apply on my computer or go to Chase bank and use their computer. My computer only has McAfee. Which option, in your opinion, would be my safest option to protect my social security number and personal information. Thank you.
I apologize for just seeing this comment. If you haven’t done so already, I would suggest that if your McAfee is up-to-date and if you’re computer is connected securely to the Internet (Ethernet cord or Wi-Fi with a secure password) you would be fine applying at home. Of course, make sure you create a very secure password for you new card.