Any Fort Lauderdale computer repair provider will tell you that today's computers have become full-time home and business appliances - more like a fridge or dishwasher than an accessory or luxury expenditure.

Just the same, the Baltimore Sun reports, U.S. retailers still sell a disproportionate number of computers around the holidays.

This is positive for buyers, as computers are more powerful, useful, fun and user-friendly than ever before. They're cheaper, too, in many cases.

In fact, manufacturers' profit margins have fallen so low across the board that it's hard to see low-end PC prices going much lower than today.

The key to holiday shopping? Focusing on your needs, not what you (or, more likely, advertisers) necessarily deem the best deal out there.

First and foremost, it doesn't necessarily matter which brand of PC you buy. IBMs, Gateways, Dells, Compaqs, Macs - some are great, some will leave you exasperated and wanting to swear off the brand. It's a lot of luck.

The most important buying facet is matching the PC or Mac to your needs, which is actually easier than you might think.

After all, just about machine on the market these days can handle the basic chores: Internet browsing, e-mail, word processing, financial bookkeeping, playing music and videos or uploading digital pictures.

The biggest question to start out is whether to buy a laptop or desktop. Fort Lauderdale computer repair experts are just like traditional consumers on this issue - split down the middle. Laptops are certainly more popular than ever but they still have their proponents and critics for various reasons.

Continue reading this article in the Baltimore Sun ...