COLUMN
HOW TO BUY COMPUTER HARDWARE For your design and engineering teams
By Jim Mitchell, Planit Canada Service Technician
I
often hear the same question from clients looking to buy new computers for their design and manufacturing software: what should I buy? Rather than point to a specific machine or brand, I find it useful to share the most important considerations to help guide the conversation with your IT consultant. It also helps to demystify some key computer jargon to help you determine your priorities.
12 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
When purchasing computer hardware for your business, I recommend considering four things: your budget, your portability needs, the number of workstations, and any other applications you’ll be running. CONSIDERATIONS
Budget: When it comes to price, it’s a good idea to avoid the lowest price bracket. While there are many variables, expect to pay $1500 –$3500 on an upgrade. It can be tempting to opt for last year’s computer model, but I don’t recommend it. The price difference between the older generation and the latest is often only $200-$300 – but that investment will keep you current longer. Portability: Over the last decade, laptops have become significantly more
