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Are you considering the purchase of an Apple computer? If so, you have surely considered the many facets of the long Mac-PC debate and drawn the conclusion that a Mac product is right for you. We trust you've made the right call!

Now that you are ready to proceed with buying a Mac, it's important you know how to go about it. This can be a tough task, but the American Chronicle has come up with a quick, but helpful list of all critical things you need to consider.

Remember, a smart shopper does his or her homework now, and in turn, can do his or her best to avoid potentially costly, time-consuming visits to a Ft. Lauderdale computer repair center down the line. It's part of being a good consumer.

Here's your Mac purchasing checklist ...

• 1. Decide where to shop. You can shop online directly from Apple or from an aurthorized online retailer, or find your nearest Mac store and talk to the experts. The choice is up to you!
• 2. Establish your budget. Mac prices, without any of the upgrades, range from $1,099 to $1,499 and up, so before you decide on your computer, set up guidelines for what you can and should spend.
• 3. Choose a hard drive. What hard drive capacity is right for you? Size matters! The larger the capacity (in gigabytes, or GB) of your hard drive, the more space for files and applications. But greater size is also more costly, of course, so it's important to consider what you really need in terms of size and what you'll use your Mac for.
• 4. Decide on memory. More memory, the more programs you can run simultaneously, and the better performance you get. How much memory is right for you, and how fast do you need your machine to run for what you intend to use it for? Again, important factors to consider prior to purchasing your new computer. That extra split-second of speed may not be worth the money you'll pay to save it.
• 5. Optical drive considerations. Popular choices are a 24x Combo drive (DVD ROM / CD-RW) or 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / CD-RW). The difference? The SuperDrive comes standard in the middle and upper end MacBooks and allows you to burn DVDs, while a SuperDrive is not currently listed as an option in entry level MacBooks.
• 6. The right display. The screen resolution on the new MacBooks is brilliant and unless you have some special need (as a graphic designer, web designer, etc.) for an additional screen, you won't need it. However, the option is there to upgrade monitors if needed.
• 7. A protection plan. For your own good, don't pass this up. You don't need to be a Fort Lauderdale computer repair expert to know that Macs - while people swear by them - are imperfect. They are machines and despite the affections they inspire, will break down. Get the warranty.
• 8. Have fun. You've spent a lot of money and done a lot of research to get this machine. Have at it and enjoy. Go to town!