1) Shop around for best deal.
Sounds pretty obvious. But many people don’t realize they don’t need the fastest, most expensive computer with the most “extras”. In fact, if you are already using an older computer, even the least expensive new computer will be a big upgrade. If you don’t know a lot about computers, you can learn a lot by shopping around. Ask lots of questions, compare prices, compare features, then find the best price. Shop at your local electronics store, and look for the best deals online. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save by shopping around!
2) Install your own “extras”
Many computers you will find in a store have a lot of extra software already installed. While this is convenient, it is not always the best way for you to save money. Also, while many of these extras sound good, you don’t always need them. You can often find better deals by shopping around separately for your own software extras (such as a word processor, anti-virus, popup blocker, spyware removal, games, etc). And some of these you can get for free. So before you buy the “fully loaded” computer, ask yourself if you really need all the extras, then shop around to see if you can buy a scaled down computer – and get the extras yourself for much less!
If you're looking for a laptop, it makes sense to shop around, compare your options, and decide on the laptop that ultimately suits you best. There are many companies that offer similar products; some are better, some worse, some at a premium price and some at bargain prices. The laptop industry isn't always one where you get what you pay for.
When choosing a laptop, it's never a good idea to buy what others think you should buy, buy a laptop that has the features you need at a price you can afford. Don't buy a laptop that has bells and whistles you'll never use. Maybe that's what I love most about Sony and the products it offers. Sony laptops are not about cramming computers full of features that will never be useful to the average consumer. Instead, they build a PC that the average consumer can use and offer upgrades beyond the basic PC setup.
To protect yourself in the workplace, the first rule is to never conduct personal business using your employer's equipment. You have no right to privacy and your employer can have full access to your computer usage records, your internet history and your email. Resist the temptation to shop online, watch the news or surf the web while you're at work. Don't forward that joke or motivational email to your colleagues. And don't email your friends or family.
The second thing to keep in mind is that the internet niche you've created using your home computer is visible to your employer as well. Potential employers are increasingly using tools to verify the presence of job applicants on the Internet. That hysterical YouTube video of you dancing with a lampshade on your head at your best friend's bridal shower could be preventing you from landing your dream job. Before you make a bold rant on your blog or upload a questionable picture to social media, think about how it could affect your career.
There is no doubt that computers enrich our lives and give us possibilities that our mothers never dreamed of. However, for us women at work, computers can also be our bane. It may be acceptable for men to look at the Sports Illustrated website while they're at work (even the swimsuit edition!), but women have a higher standard... Just ask Carmen Kontur-Gronquist.
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