The Dirty Secrets of Your TradeSo, Television is a hot bed of lies, deceit and made up competitions. We can't say that we are that surprised... every job is full of this stuff. It's not like the newspapers currently kicking TV whilst it is down are all that innocent.
We'd like you to even things out a bit. Spill the beans on your own trade. Tell us the dirty secrets that the public need to know.
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chthonic, Thu 27 Sep 2007, 10:31)
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IT trade secrets - buying hardwareNot that it'll do any good, because everyone I tells this ignores me in favour of price.
The key to buying decent hardware is Paying More (except when it's not). If it doesn't work, and is created by a big company with a half decent track record (i.e. not DLink, or Netgear(*) or someone you've never heard of) it will usually be fixed. Eventually.
Cheap network cards aren't the same as more expensive ones. Cheap 'RAID' cards are definitely not the same as pro level components.
The flip side is that if it contains *exactly* the same components, it's worth buying. However, bear in mind that if the product needs a driver, the chance of getting ongoing drivers from a fly by night company is nil - so long term it's a bad idea.
So, go for price, and search for reviews unless a) the price you're buying it from is known for low prices and high quality (Scan, Dabs, etc..) or b) it has Excessive Bling - the prettier it is, the more you pay. Match the reviews to their context - Computer Shopper reviews are price oriented and they wouldn't know proper quality if it wrote them a letter. PC Gaming reviews focus on speed, speed and more speed - they don't care about long term reliability, colour range on monitors, etc etc. Use google to look for problems..
Never, ever, ever, ever, ever buy a laptop without an extended manufacturer's warranty. You'll potentially regret it. Buy brand name kit, too (IBM/Lenovo, Toshiba, HP, Sony - if you don't care about their shit service). Gaming laptops are an especially huge ripoff. Ignore the Shiny, use your brain.
WHQL/certified drivers/hardware means nothing.
Of course I've broken the above rules myself at times - and usually regretted it..
It really is possible to get some incredible bargains on ebay. Just realise that pro level kit is usually louder and more power hungry than consumer gear and some items like cases, become cheaper and higher quality each year (in general).
(*) some may disagree. DLink are utter shit. Netgear are good for home/small office use - they will not stand up to serious professional usage.
(, Tue 2 Oct 2007, 16:46, Reply)
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