Help for the Technologically-Challenged Computer Shopper

If you are anything like me, you know just enough about computers to get by; emailing, surfing the net, composing documents on word, talking on Skype—and that is about it. In a shrill and slightly apologetic voice, I call my most computer-savvy friend every time I hit a wall where I can’t figure something out that I need. The calls usually go something like this: “Hi _________, so I was wondering, my computer keeps popping up this box in the corner, and I have no idea what it means…so, can you talk me through fixing it?” Or, “My computer is making this ‘whoooooowhooooo’ sound when I turn it on, like an engine trying to rev…can you come over tonight and take a look at it?

Yup. I’m not a computer programmer, or a graphic designer, or any of those jobs that would require me to know too much about computers. I’m just a simple writer, who can barely figure out how to navigate my blog without swearing up a storm and marching off to take an “angry break”. I guiltily admit to relying, in a most pathetic and clinging fashion, on boyfriends and friends, to solve my computer-related issues while I stand by and look on in wonder. Not only do I rely on these folks to fix things, but I rely on them to counsel me on my computer and technology-related purchases as well. The laptop I am currently writing this on was given purchasing approval by my best friend’s husband, who I lured, with coffee and promises, to look over what was on sale at Best Buy with me. Armed with a criteria sheet that had a bunch of numbers that, while sounding familiar to me, I didn’t have a full grasp on, such as “at least 3 GB, at least a 64 Processor, etc, I wearily made my purchase.

And I’m getting by. My cursor refuses to hold a highlight over the text, making cutting and pasting a frustrating venture, but I’ve got to wait at least three weeks before I bug my computer buddies again. That “Favor Bank” is a bit overdrawn. In the meantime, I persevere, and do a lot of retyping and muttering empty threats under my breath. In the short tenure of my relationship with this laptop, I must have threatened to destroy it about 30 times. I have a much better relationship with my desktop, who hasn’t misbehaved nearly as much since I bought it. But the sad, scary truth is that I’ve recently relocated to a new city, and unless I can be helped over the phone, I’m pretty much SOL.

I wish there were more online sites that advised people like me; people who don’t really know what “firewall” is, other than that I supposedly need it. For people that don’t know what a bit or a gigabyte is, people who only know that when they hit a certain button, the thing is supposed to turn on and work flawlessly. I’m not even sure I know how or why I need a modem, or what it does, but there it sits, on my desk, misunderstood and ignored until the day it stops working. Am I am idiot, you might be asking? I certainly don’t think so. My GPA would say otherwise, my friends would say otherwise…I’m just not technically inclined, as they say. I didn’t grow up with a computer (my mother thinks email is some kind of voodoo), and so I blame my parents, I blame being born on the cusp of “Generation X” who got shafted by technologically-blessed Gen Y…I blame the fact that I’m interested in more spiritual matters.

As such, I’ve decided, on behalf of WantACode.com, to give you the technologically-challenge version of shopping tips for computers. I’m going to tell you a little about the “Big Three”; Dell, Toshiba, and HP. And since I know literally NOTHING about this all, I’m just going to dazzle you with the magic word, “Sale.” Because if I’m out there shopping for a computer on my own, all I really know to look for is a name I trust (hence, the big three) and a great deal. Because I’m a coupon girl, and other than writing, deals are the thing I know best.

First, Toshiba offers refurbished laptops for CHEAP. If you are like me, you’ll never know the difference between this, and a new one. And starting at $260, you can’t beat that with a stick.  And if it dies on you a few years down the road, you can literally beat it with a stick, and not feel bad about it. For that price, you can rest easy not worrying you’ve wasted a penny. That is about a 50% savings, so let WantACode be your guide to a fatter wallet. We’ve got Toshiba deals galore, to couple with savings already on their site, so if you’ve been thinking of getting a Toshiba (that is, one of your tech-smart buddies has advised you), visit us to get those coupons. You might not know much about technology, but since you are on our site, you obviously know about saving a buck or two. That sounds pretty smart to me.

And Dell, sweet Dell. I still remember my first computer was a Dell, and it was a trooper; I had it for more than 8 years before I upgraded. Right now Dell has laptop computers on their site that are marked off up to $299—that’s no laughing matter. Again, I might not know much, but I know I sure dig saving almost 300 buckaroos. Plus, on WantACode right now, we’ve got coupons with 20-50 % savings. Any fool can appreciate a deal, right? I’m laughing all the way to the bank. (It’s this way right? What street am I on, anyway? I need to check out what we’ve got for deals on GPS’s next…)

And of course, there is HP. A trusty name that even a tech-ignoramus like myself knows (ok, because I’ve been told) is a solid brand. And ok, while I don’t know what all those fancy stats mean, I know what looks good. Have you seen the new all-in-one from HP? Sexy, streamlined, and new, it makes me rethink the whole desktop scenario. They don’t have to be bulky and unattractive; HP proves that. Here on WantACode, we’ve got coupons with up to 60% savings on select items, and rebates, savings codes, and more. If you are thinking of purchasing an HP, you cannot miss our coupons. Best of all, you don’t need to be an IT guy or girl to navigate our site. Just search “HP” and click on our codes. Ingenious!