SEVENTEEN
Will the sales rep show you that the computer will work well with the printer or other accessories you have in mind?
He or she might not be able to demonstrate this compatibility, simply because he doesn’t have the peripherals in stock; but you should at least obtain a clear written promise saying that everything will work well together. Be sure that his obligation to make it work is clear before you sign the check.
The same idea naturally applies to software.
EIGHTEEN
How clear is the computer’s instruction manual?
In computerese, you want “good documentation”—something that’s “user friendly.” If the manual doesn’t include it, then does a book from an outside publisher? Ideally, the book won’t focus just on the machine but also on the software that comes with it.
NINETEEN
How long has the manufacturer been in business? How prosperous is the company?
Buy from a new company if the technology looks far enough ahead of the pack. But be careful. You don’t want to buy from a computer maker likely to perish soon in the silicon jungle—not when you’ll need spare parts and technical assistance.