What to look for when buying a new computer in-store

Eventually, there comes a time when a trusty old computer needs to be retired.

While some people will regret the loss of a faithful companion, it’s often a perfunctory decision made with as little emotion as you’d invest in replacing a faulty washing machine.

Yet it also involves stepping into a parallel universe of jargon, specifications and competing (often contradictory) attributes which can be daunting and even impenetrable to many.

Computers come in numerous forms, sporting a seemingly endless array of baffling tech specs.

If you’ve ever found yourself wandering glassy-eyed through the aisles of electrical retailers, this guide to buying a new computer in-store may be invaluable.

And while we’d always recommend buying a new computer in-store rather than online, this advice will also apply to online off-the-shelf purchases or custom builds.

Make some decisions in advance

Before being confronted with a vast array of devices, narrow your criteria.

The first choice to make is whether you want a PC or a Mac. Both have their merits; PCs are generally better for office work whereas Macs excel at media creation.

Every Mac is made by Apple, whereas PCs can be sourced from a huge array of British, American, Taiwanese, Chinese and European manufacturers.

Apple products are far more expensive and lock you into a proprietary ecosystem of hardware, whereas PCs can be mixed and matched with almost any manufacturer’s products.

The next choice is between a desktop or laptop computer. Desktops lack portability, but they tend to be cheaper, more highly specified and benefiting from a longer lifespan.

Recognise that some decisions don’t matter

It’s easy to get caught up debating whether AMD make better graphics cards than Nvidia, or whether an Intel laptop CPU trumps a Qualcomm one.

In truth, these decisions don’t materially affect day-to-day computer usage, and only a committed computer geek would be concerned about marginal differences in flop rates.

Similarly, a flatscreen monitor from HP or Dell will perform broadly the same as an LG or Samsung product unless you’re a dedicated gamer obsessed with nits or ray tracing.

We’re deliberately using technical jargon to emphasise that most consumers don’t need to pay any attention to these terms, let alone what they mean.

A timber-clad tower PC looks alluring, as does a slimline all-in-one iMac, but how a computer performs matters far more than how it looks.

Set your key parameters

First and foremost, cost should be uppermost in your mind. Set a budget and try not to stray significantly over it.

Smooth-tongued salespeople might try to upsell premium models or extended warranties. Politely ignore them and maintain a laser-like focus on essential specifications.

These vary according to personal preferences and circumstances. A hardcore gamer might want a specialist gaming PC, whereas a bedsit resident may need a compact all-in-one.

Bulky tower PCs offer a compelling blend of affordability and scope to upgrade or replace components as they age, potentially extending their lifespan.

An all-in-one device could be written off by the failure of a single component, whereas tower computers can have replacement peripherals and screens fitted at any point.

Select minimum specifications

If you’re not purchasing a MacBook or iMac, avoid computers from brands you’ve never heard of. They may be low quality, and aftermarket support might be lacking.

A minimum of 8GB of RAM will ensure smooth operations if you’re not intensively gaming or creating, and a 1TB hard drive is advisable to avoid internal storage prematurely filling up.

Don’t be seduced by ‘free’ monitor bundles. These are easy (and cheap) to buy separately, while many households have existing screens in full working order.

Do look for extensive sockets. Ideally, you want a variety of USB-A and C ports, an Ethernet socket for hardwired internet connectivity, two HDMI ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Finally, investigate what software is supplied. Windows 11 or macOS 26 come as standard, but do you need to pay extra to get Microsoft 365, antivirus protection or photo editing tools?