It’s a shame that although technology has progressed to unprecedented levels in the last hundred years, buyer wisdom hasn’t. Whenever I hear someone talk to me about the new computer he just bought, I cringe at words like “I maxed that thing out. I paid $500 extra to get 4 GB of RAM”, or “I opted to get the installation service. It was only $200.” Computer makers often offer cheap sticker prices on decent computers, but make a killing from small upgrades and support add-ons. This guide is designed for novice/intermediate computer users who want to save money the next time they buy a new computer.

1. Avoid buying from Dell in the first place and build a computer yourself. This may seem daunting, but in reality is a simple task. Computer hardware has progressed to the point where all you need is a screw driver. All you really have to do is buy the necessary components like the hard drive and processor, put them in a computer case, plug a few cables in, and install the operating system. Parts can easily be obtained from established Internet retailers, and there are numerous how-to books and message boards out there to provide assistance.
2. If you plan on buying a computer cheap from Dell and upgrading the video card to get a great gaming machine, think again. Dell has been known to remove the PCI-E and AGP video card slots from their cheapest desktops and some servers, leaving only the PCI slots, which are too outdated for modern video cards.
3. It is perfectly fine to buy a Dell and then upgrade the components yourself. The last time I checked with Dell, this will not void your computer’s warranty (something I’ll get to in a minute). The only thing to be aware of is they will not cover damage caused by the upgrades and the warranty doesn’t cover the components you add to the system.
4. Don’t pay for warranty upgrades, accidental damage protection, or upgraded tech support. Believe it not, computer hardware doesn’t fail very often and when it does, it’s usually in the first year of a computer’s life span. In the event a part in your computer does need to be repaired, you would be surprised how cheap it is to do yourself. Besides, once your computer reaches the age of two years or older the parts for it will become ridiculously cheap.
5. To get the best bang for your buck, go midrange. Don’t buy the cheapest models, but stay away from the most expensive models at the same time.
6. Upgrades prices vary from Dell model to Dell model. If you find yourself maxing out your upgrade options on one model, look at the next model up and see how much the upgrades cost. You may actually find the better model is cheaper!
7. I have been told that if you buy ten or more computers from Dell Small Business, you can send them an image of the software used at your business and they will install it for you free of charge.
8. Check around for Dell coupons and deals. I once saved someone $750 on their Dell laptop by showing them a coupon I found on the Internet. Tech Bargains is a good source for Dell deals.
9. Don’t buy any accessories from Dell, including keyboards and mice. Extras can be obtained from online stores like Newegg and Amazon for much less. Many Dell-branded peripherals and accessories are just third-party products painted in Dell colors with the Dell logo slapped on.
10. Be aware that Dell is not liable for anything a Dell representative tells you. I once bought a sound card from Dell because it was cheaper than everywhere else with a coupon and was told by a Dell representative it came with accessories and games. When the card came, no beans. All I got was a refurbished sound card. I was out of luck because according to Dell’s policies, they are not responsible for “mistakes” made by Dell representatives.
11. Sometimes you can get a lower price if you order from Dell Small Business instead of Dell Home. You are required to enter a business name, but they will accept your name as a business. It is important to know before you order from Dell Small Business that they have a different return policy than Dell Home. Dell Small Business will only take an item back if it is defective. If you just don’t like it, they won’t accept a return.
12. Don’t buy parts for your Dell from the Dell website. You can find much cheaper computer parts at online stores like Newegg , Directron , Tigerdirect , and ZipZoomFly.
13. Do you really need a new computer in the first place? Many computers can simply be upgraded when they get outdated. If your computer is running slow for no reason, maybe it needs a malware scan or an operating system reinstall.