How To Spend Your Time Wisely And Make The Most Of Pc 94
The Age
Monday August 8, 1994
If you're planning to go along to PC94, it doesn't hurt to have some clear objectives in mind. George Skarbek explains how best to utilise your time at this year's PC event.
IF YOU are contemplating going to the Melbourne Personal Computer Show, you should have clearly defined objectives. Just casually looking at PCs is a waste of time. Assuming there are 300 exhibitors, and you spend one minute with each, what will you have learned in the five hours you probably will have spent at the show? Perhaps only that all PCs look alike from three paces away.
The time spent at the show, then, should be time well spent. The PC show is a great place to compare differences between manufacturers of PCs, monitors, printers or other peripheral equipment. A great many dealers will offer specials for the show - specials that probably are not offered at other times. If you are thinking of buying hardware, it's an opportunity you really shouldn't miss.
The way to make the most of your opportunity is to decide on the configuration you want, and then shop around. Alternatively, you may decide on the maximum that you are prepared to spend and then find the best deal that can be got for that amount.
When shopping, take into consideration what guarantees are being offered; but, in doing so, remember to assess the likelihood of the dealer being around in the year 2000 (especially if a six-year guarantee is being offered). The big companies have a much-higher probability of still being around but generally their prices are higher.
For the professionals, this is the place to see trends emerging. For example, the number of laptops on the market compared to desktops, or the number of computers with CD ROMs.
The computer show is an easy way to compare the quality of different brands of monitors. This is usually a tedious and difficult task, as most dealers stock only one or two different brands. At the computer show you can see a dozen or more brands and various sizes. With the images fresh in your mind, it is an easy task to compare one with the other.
If you are thinking of upgrading your printer or buying a color printer, the show is definitely the place to compare the quality and speed of printers. Compare the quality of output with other printers in your price range. Almost every supplier will give you sample outputs.
Surprisingly, modem manufacturers have not been well represented in the past, with only about two or three different companies represented. This year, there will be a much larger selection of modems, with at least one company, Banksia, offering special prices on 28,800bps and 14,400bps modems.
Modem stands at computer shows present PC users with a great way of ironing out their modem problems. If you are experiencing modem problems, then try to dial into your service using the modems at the show and determine if the problems are resolved. Remember, though, that if the problems go away, there may still be problems with your com port, cable, phone line or exchange that could be the cause of your troubles.
To get the most out of the computer show, decide on what is of interest to you, then view the map that shows where the exhibitors are (which is given to you upon entry) and take a path that will take you past every stand. Don't be tempted to rush off from your path if you see something interesting, as you may miss an aisle that contains just the stand that you want.
© 1994 The Age
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