Though most of the tips and tricks of buying a good Computer or a laptop are same as buying from any other place in the world, buying a machine in East Africa may need some extra precautions, which we will try to bring forward in this post. Going through the details in this blog may help you to make a wise choice.
· What are your requirements?
When it comes to buying technological stuffs, you have to plan. Buying spontaneously and impulsively may not be the best way. Try to make a self assessment and a check list of functions, features and specifications you may require in your device. Share them honestly with knowledgeable friends and get feedbacks. Try to do some research online and more importantly in the local market about what you can expect. Such a process will equip you with a proper vocabulary when you are discussing the purchase with the sales person and shall increase your negotiation capability. Honest expressions of your expectations and requirements and how you intend to utilize the device may make you closer to the device and service that you deserve.
If the device is meant for a single location you may buy a desktop whereas, if you have to move with it you may need a laptop/ notebook/ tablet or a palmtop. We would recommend a laptop even for stationary purpose as it will help during the power failures and load shading, which are common issues these days in the region of discussion. However, if there is more than one person sharing the same device, we would recommend desktops. As they are more heavily built, prone to less wear and tear, more readily upgradeable and somehow more secure.
· Check for compatibility
Figure out how you are going to use your device with your other computers, gadgets and accessories. For instance if you already have a mobile phone which can connect with internet and has a blue tooth you may want to buy a device which has a Bluetooth inbuilt, such that you can use the internet from your phone and may not need to buy a modem and you can even inter-exchange files.
If you are going to use internet from a “cyber café”, “hot spot” or any other premises with wireless internet router, you should buy a laptop with WIFI options. If the device is meant for working in a network group, care should be taken to check for the different networking options and technical after sales service may be required to setup the network.
· Consider your Profession
The profession of the buyer determines greatly the specifications required. A person working outdoors like an army man, wild-lifers or an engineer may look for a device with higher durability, sturdiness, brighter display and longer battery life. Such a device may not look quite attractive in style and may be a bit bulky but it may be more dust/weather proof. On the contrary a person planning to use the device indoors may concentrate more on design, style and higher technical specifications.
For instance, if you are a professional Photographer, D.J/ V.J, video librarian, graphic/ art designer or a technician who is already using other devices like digital cameras, sound mixers, external DVD writers, printers or other gadgets respectively; you may think of higher configuration and better features which are above the average. Looking for bigger internal hard disks (in today’s date 500 G.B. is considered normal and 1 TB is advisable) higher processor speeds (alteast 3.0 G Hz) and good R.A.M of at least 4 GB, VGA, HDMI, S video and various USB ports with high speed DVD writers(at least 24x) may be beneficial for your smart work.
On the other hand if a person needs device for a corporate office or a bank, he may decide to leave the DVD writers, audio/video ports and USB ports, bigger internal hard disks and may opt for energy saving displays, smart designs and enhanced networking capabilities.
· Buy the common ones
Buying the common models of devices may make it easier for the person to look for friendly help on how to use different functions and features; more importantly for getting technical help. Much of the repairing in developing nations is done by trial and error method and hence the more your device is common the more is the chance you may not struggle for service. Also the availability and prices of the spares depends on popularity of the device in such a place and can affect the process of repairing.
· Look for the facts
Every sticker and label on the device has a meaning and indicates something. It’s on the buyer to be inquisitive enough and ask the right questions before the purchase. Instead of being appealed just by the looks it is equally important to spend some energy, time and curiosity on the functions and specifications of the device.
· Upgrading options
It is critical to take a moment trying to research this aspect of your probable purchase. A person should ideally try to buy more durable device, which can be upgraded according to future requirements. For instance aspects like R.A.M and internal hard disks are very important for a professional laptop user and hence should be easily upgradable. We are of the opinion that the feel of comfort a user has with its device is much more important than just the look of it; such a comfort is extremely necessary if the guy is going to spend long hours working on it and many a years. Hence it’s also recommended to buy the latest device with upgradable options of important specifications such that it accompanies you down the line. This makes economic and environmental sense too.
· Warranty
This factor is important considering that there are a few branded company sales outlets throughout East Africa; rare to find authorized service centers and even rarer to find good technicians. The vendors are helpless as they are few authorized service centers in the region and sometimes the cost encored to transport a device to get the benefits of warranties is more than the actual price of the device. However though, there are some vendors who can offer conditional or limited warranties from their sides which can be a sign of customer’s protection against company faults or manufacturer’s defects. Such a warranty may cost you a few more bucks but is worth it. It is also advisable to test the device for important functions while buying it to avoid any complications. A customer should not rely on verbal promises of warranties and should always demand for written warranties.
· Be careful of Refurbished
Refurbished devices are those devices which are returned by the customers to the manufacturers as they are not satisfied with them for some reason; such devices are worked upon by the manufacturers to resale them in certain parts of the world. Sale of refurbished Computers and laptops is prohibited in Uganda, as in the long run the nation becomes dumping ground for outdated technologies and such a device may not be good for the end customer. The buyer has to make sure to check every labels and stickers on the computer as the manufacturers make sure to put stickers of refurbished on all such devices and the customer will find them if the stickers are not tempered with.
· Cheap things are more expensive
Buying cheap may not always be a discount or bonus deal. The device may be refurbished or may have some damage. For people trying to buy second hand stuffs; they should know that the owner selling the device has anticipated the bigger complication in the machine, like getting some particular spare (mostly battery in laptops and digital cameras) and may want to sell you for so called good price saying that he is in problem and needs some money. So instead of buying cheap, followed by struggle to look for spares; we recommend to buy new and good quality stuffs even if it seems a bit expensive when buying. Again it makes a lot of economical and environmental sense.
· Check for software
It would be wise to look for labels with serial numbers for your operating systems when you are buying the device. A licensed operating system could mean a hassle free experience with your device. Such an operating system is good for the security against viruses and other malwares and gives access to the latest updates available. When you buy a pre loaded device installed by the manufacturer you are mostly safe from counterfeits. Such a device may also contain trial versions of other software you’re your preferred antivirus.
· Check for spares
We have seen people looking for a particular phone/laptop battery or a charger and sometimes even particular cables to use their devices. It is critical that a customer should buy those devices which are popular and widespread to ease these hassles in future. There are even those people who get gifts from their friends and relatives abroad and then may struggle to get the spares around as some of those models are not common around here.
Other non-technical factors to be considered
· What is the budget?
Good quality is also available at affordable rates; though in its own range. Instead of reaching out too far and expanding the budgets by overwhelming loans, a person should concentrate on savings. The buyer should get a clear idea of affordable budget and precise details of the specifications he may need from the device during his work and plan to buy them accordingly.
· Buy in “combo” deals
Combo deals means trying to buy most of the relevant things you need at the same time. For instance when you are buying a desktop computer, you may also want to buy the dust covers, mouse pad, external speakers, U.P.S and a printer along with; as you may need them in near future. Such a deal may save you some money and can get you some bonus deals.
· Buy collectively
It is mostly advantageous and increases the customers’ negotiation capacity if they are buying in bulk and can demand better after sales service.
· Monitor Currency exchange rates
Foreign currency mostly dollar to local currency ratios highly affect the prices of imported goods in East Africa, apart from availability. By the time one starts planning to buy any expensive device or machine it is advisable to remain updated on the currency exchange rates.
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