Back to School Tech You Should Know:
California, (July, 2012) – It seems summer gets shorter and shorter every year. How is it that back to school is already here? Whether you’re in the market for a PC, printer or router to get set up for the new academic year, or you’re just poised to take advantage of the season’s sales, you’ll be joining thousands of shoppers buying computers, peripherals and gadgets in the coming weeks. Before you walk into your local electronics store, there are many websites, some that you may have never heard of, that offer great deals on tech.
Newegg:
While the name may be a head scratcher, Newegg.com is one of the largest online retailers specializing in computer parts, networking supplies (like routers and wireless adapters), RAM, and external drives. Since they are frequented by Nerds, the reviews are a reliable tool to aid you in choosing between models if you’re not sure what to buy. Their extensive selection is easily whittled down with search modifiers. While they carry a huge selection of additional products, they shine in their top category: “Computer Hardware.”
TigerDirect:
Similar in their offerings to Newegg, Tigerdirect.com is a good source for price comparison. Be sure to factor in shipping costs and/or taxes as they can markedly change the final price of your selection. Luckily, both sites offer a well laid-out cart function that allows you to see final cost before requiring your credit card number.
TechBargains:
The real magic of Techbargains is in their “Top System Deals” and daily “Hottest Deals” that amass the best bargains on tech from across the net, saving you hours of scouring the web for what’s on sale where. “Top System Deals” shows the best bang for your buck at build-your-own PC sites like Dell and HP, offering up a selection of the best packages and the coupon codes to get the lowest price. The current deals section on the right of the webpage lists codes for Dell & HP sales so you can build your own system and still get a great price.
Amazon:
I’m sure you’ve heard of Amazon.com, but you may not know that it’s for more than books, movies and personal care products. It’s a great resource for just about any tech item, particularly peripherals like routers, cameras, printers, even tablets. There are often video tutorials; and reviews and comments from a wider range of skill levels can provide you with a better idea of how easy it will be for you to use.
Monoprice:
My go-to site for cables and adapters, Monoprice.com, offers a dizzying selection of the less glamorous yet still necessary accessories to get your computer, peripherals and home theater working properly. Rock bottom prices makes it worth wading through the massive selection to buy network cables (i.e., CAT 5e or Ethernet), HDMI cables for your monitor, adapters for your portable electronics and much more.
Decide.com:
While limited in their product listings, Decide.com helps take some of the guess work out of when to buy the electronics on your list. It shows the going price of popular laptops, tablets, phones and cameras but takes it further by using up-to-date information to predict if there will be a price adjustment up or down in the near future. Considering a Kindle Fire? Decide.com suggests you wait to buy due to a new model rumored to be released soon.
About The Author: Andrea Eldridge is CEO and co-founder of Nerds On Call, a computer repair company that specializes in on-site and online service for homes and businesses. Andrea is the writer of a weekly column, Nerd Chick Adventures in The Record Searchlight. She prepares TV segments for and appears regularly on CBS, CW and FOX on shows such as Good Day Sacramento, More Good Day Portland, and CBS 13 News, offering viewers technology and lifestyle tips. See Andrea in action at callnerds.com/andrea/.
About Nerds On Call: Established in a spare room in Redding, Calif., in March 2004, Nerds On Call offers on-site computer and laptop repair services to consumers and businesses. Nerds On Call provides trouble-shooting for PCs and Macs, home and office networks, printers, iPods® and MP3 players, handheld devices and cell phones, home theaters and game systems, and virtually every other form of digital entertainment. In 2009, 2010, & 2011 the company was named to Inc. magazine’s list of 5000 fastest growing private companies. With 7 locations across California and Oregon, Nerds On Call serves more than 40,000 satisfied customers per year. For more information, visit callnerds.com or call 1-800-919-NERD.
