Finally, you want to think about the extra drives and peripherals that you can add to your new PC. Starting with CDs and DVDs, you should at least get a CD rewriteable drive that can play DVDs. If you can afford to, you should purchase a DVD rewriteable drive. Blank DVD discs are cheap, and they hold a lot of space. Depending on the size of your PC, you may get the option of adding a second drive. You use one for burning CDs and DVDs and one for playing only DVDs. Those of you who are considering making your PC part of your home theater system may want to consider purchasing a Blu-ray disc drive. You want as many USB ports as possible for plugging in your iPod and other devices. Some new computers now have USB ports in the front, which is a very handy feature. You can also choose to have a PC with a media card reader. This is a great feature for those of you with a digital camera. The card reader will be able to transfer the pictures from the card into your computer. Some manufacturers offer a media card reader as an option at a very reasonable price.

Following these ten steps will make shopping for your next computer a breeze. Remember that purchasing a computer comes down to balancing options and features with your budget. The two most important factors in choosing a computer are price and primary use. Keep in mind what you will use the computer for, and it will be easier to stay in budget. Staying within your budget comes down to making choices on features that seem nice but may end up not being used.

John Devcic is a freelance writer and videographer.

To download PDF of Manufacturer's list, CLICK HERE.