When you're a techie, people tend to think that you're a wasteful geek who burns money on stuff he isn't going to use anyway. This shouldn't be the case. You can still keep abreast of the latest technology and keep your expenses at a minimum. Here's how.

   If you're reading this article over the Internet, chances are you already know a bit about computers. That's good. It means that you've got the fundamental skills needed to work with new technologies. It also means that you're Internet-savvy enough to do the research you'll need to buy that new gadget you've been lusting after (more on that later).

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

   So let's say you want to get a new computer. Now, techies have often been stereotyped as testosterone-overdosed geeks who want as much muscle in their computers as they can afford. While a lot of techies are this way, this kind of attitude is just plain stupid. Why waste thirty grand on a machine that's not going to be used to the fullest capacity, and which will probably be obsolete after six years?

   Let's face it, even a souped-up Pentium 4 with a top-of-the-line Radeon graphics card and tons of DDR ram plus a surround sound audio system will likely be used more often for mundane stuff like typing or emailing. It's always a good thing to keep a budget based on what your machine will be used most often for, but don't forget to indulge yourself a little. Remember, you'll be keeping this little piece of technology for quite some time so it should be able to keep you entertained.

   Another reason why you shouldn't follow the example of testosterone-pumped techies is that many of the technologies that are fresh on the market will have bugs and/or technical problems. This is unavoidable, since software developers and hardware manufacturers can't predict all the possible things that can go wrong with their products. It's better to wait at least 3 to 6 months after a new product has been released to allow time for bugs and glitches to be smoothened out.

GETTING STARTED

   At this point, you probably have even just a slight idea of what kind of computer you want, or what you want to use it for. But as with any purchase, it's always best to pore over the details before forking over any cash. So it's time to get your priorities straight:

   Are you going to get a computer to play games on? Listen to MP3s with? Or just something to take on the road so you can finish that novel you've always wanted to write?

   In general, the best advice is to focus on RAM. Although the current top-of-the-line computers nowadays have over 1Ghz of processing speed, a slower processor equipped with lots of RAM is pretty much up to par as far as performance is concerned. As a computer geek friend of mine put it, "You can't go wrong with RAM!"

   If you want to use your computer for games with lots of graphics, then pay attention to the kind of graphics card that's installed into your system. Again, a lot of RAM is a good thing.

   If you want to play high-quality music on your computer, you might want to consider a large-capacity hard disk, a decent CD reader/writer, and a good sound card.

ASK AROUND

   So what kind of hardware and software should you buy? How much should you expect to spend? The best way to answer these questions is to ask, ask, ask. Ask your neighbor. Ask your boss. Ask your friends. Ask your computer science professor.

   This is also where your familiarity with computers and the Internet pays off: there are a lot of websites and chatrooms you can visit which offer reviews and tips on technologies for consumers. My favorites are www.cnet.com and www.the-gadgeteer.com.

   Don't limit your research to online stuff. Almost all daily newspapers have a Technology section. You can also try subscribing to magazines such as Time or Newsweek, which also have pages devoted to new technology. If you're really into science and technology, I recommend you get a subscription to Popular Science Magazine, or at least grab a copy of their annual Best of What's New issue which comes out every December and offers a very good recap of the best technologies that came out in the past year.

LOOK UNDER YOUR NOSE

   There are other sources of information just under your nose that you may have overlooked. Browse through computer shops and look at the backside of software boxes. There's always a tiny space where you can find the minimum hardware specifications needed to run the program. Make a mental note of the specifications recommended for the kind of software you intend to use, whether it's SIM City or Photoshop 7.

   After you've done this, go to the counter and ask for a price list of the shop's available products. One of the more popular and cheaper outlets, PC Express, even offers up-to-date price lists downloadable from their website at www.pcx.com.ph.

   Also try going to the website of the product's manufacturer. Most manufacturers have a readily available data sheet that shows all the specifications of their product. Some manufacturer's websites even have downloadable copies of their products' instruction manuals. www.nokia.com, for example, has a database of the instruction manuals of all their cellular phones.

   It's a great idea to download a product's instruction manual so that you have an idea of what it's like to own the gadget even before you buy it.

   Also take note from the website if the manufacturer has outlets or subsidiaries based in your country. Whenever possible, buy gadgets that have a local distributor or service center, so it's easy to have the things repaired in case they break down.

   With even just an hour's worth of research, you should be able to have a decent idea of the computer you're looking for, down to the brand and specifications. From here on, what and where you buy will mostly be a matter of preference. But there are a few more tricks you can keep up your sleeve…

MORE TIPS AND TRICKS

   Go back online and look through auction sites like www.eBay.com, www.bidshot.com, www.pinoyauctions.ph, or www.eBili.com, and search for the particular model you're looking for. If you don't find anything, go for a broader search (for example, search for "Pentium" if "Pentium 4" doesn't turn up anything).

   Most of the people who post items on these sites will gladly answer any questions you have concerning their wares, and might even refer you to someone who's selling the item you're looking for. Also take note of the average going price of the gadget you're interested in.

   Remember those testosterone-laden geeks I mentioned earlier? You'll find a lot of them selling stuff at online auction sites. A lot of techies sell their stuff at up to 50% off the original price, making ready to buy their next new toy.

   Don't be afraid to haggle with a seller. This is where your research will pay off, since you now have a general idea of how much an item is supposed to cost. If the item in question isn't brand new and has already been used, you can demand a cheaper price for it depending on how long it's been used and how much wear it has received.

   If you have experience shopping in a garage sale, then you know that you should always scrutinize an item before buying it. Don't worry if the seller thinks you're asking too many questions, because you have every right to do so.

WRAPPING THINGS UP

   The bottom line is, an informed choice is a sound choice. All of the tips and tricks I've described in this article can be used no matter what kind of gadget you're lusting after. At the very least, the information you've been able to gather online is great stuff to add to the "special skills" portion of your résumé, or to impress your boss with before you ask for that sought-after raise or promotion. After all, the true mark of a techie isn't a roomful of gadgets but a solid grasp of the ideas behind the technology.