Time was, PC companies flogged standard boxes, just like car companies flogged standard cars. Not any more. Just as car companies have all sorts of ancillary activities, computer vendors have broadened out to include build-to-order customisation, a range of finance options and a wide choice of software.
A major decision is whether to buy directly from a manufacturer or through a retailer. The latter offers the reassurance of a shop and staff with whom you can discuss your purchase in person beforehand - or problems afterwards.
The alternative, buying directly from a manufacturer such as Dell or Gateway, is likely to save some money and offers the chance to customise the computer.
Among the retail deals advertised for home users recently:
At PC World there is a PC and printer bundle for £999 that comes with the Encyclopaedia Britannica and Oxford Talking Dictionary. The Packard Bell PC is not exactly over-specified though, with 3.2 GB disk space and a 14-inch monitor.
Compustore has £999 PC/printer/scanner bundles from Packard Bell and Compaq, but moving up £100 gets a better specified Packard Bell, with 64MB of RAM (the models above have 32MB), a 6.4GB hard drive and a 15-inch screen. Up to 12 months interest-free.
ESB shops are offering Tatung, Fujitsu and Olivetti PCs, with the option of finance (at a hefty 18% annual percentage rate). The cash price for the Olivetti is our magical £999, for which you get an Intel Celeron 300MHz, 32 MB of RAM, modem, and a 15-inch screen. Printer not included.
In direct sales, Dell and Gateway have a wide range of offers for home users. Gateway has gone after the home market strongly with an initiative called YourWare. Among the key ingredients are:
Flexible finance with a 15% APR which can be extended, shortened or rolled over to a new PC (within certain limits).
A range of eight new software bundles. These offer huge savings (such as the £125 Britannica, plus the Oxford Reference Shelf and four other titles for £50).
The ability to trade in the PC against another Gateway machine in two to four years. Trade-in allowances will be based on the index of used PC prices maintained by publisher Ziff-Davis. They are not likely to be huge, but shoving an old PC into storage (their most common fate) doesn't yield much either.
Near our £1,000 price point Gateway has a 350MHz Intel Pentium II, with 64MB RAM, modem, 6.4GB disk and 15-inch screen. This spec, plus 3D graphics acceleration and 8MB of video RAM make this the most powerful of the PCs mentioned here, but the £1,050 price does not include printer or scanner. A choice of software is included.
Then, of course, there is Apple's runaway success, the iMac, at just over £1,000 for a stylish computer and software bundle. The notes above are illustrations rather than recommendations. Look carefully at what's on offer and don't be afraid to ask about changes to any aspect of the package.