Fear of Buying

Whether you are buying your first personal computer or considering an upgrade, you face a confusing marketplace that is unlikely to become simpler. You must plan your uses and consider your needs, so that you will know what type of computer you want. Knowing what you want is not enough, however; knowing the marketplace may be equally important. Traditional preferences for purchasing methods may no longer make sense—but none of the alternatives are foolproof. It is easy to make a mistake and some mistakes are more disastrous than others. The author discusses his own mistakes, how those mistakes were resolved, and what they might mean to you. The article concludes with some highlights from personal computing magazines published during April‐June 1989.