Unfortunately, like anything, it is possible to be tricked or for computer companies to scam you. Below is a listing of what to look for when purchasing a computer.
Get what you pay for - Ensure that the product you are purchasing
is what you are paying for. It has been known that computer companies may
list a processor being a specific speed but may actually have a different
speed into the computer. This, unfortunately, can be very easy as any user
can 'over clock' a processor, making it appear as one speed but in reality
being a completely different speed. For example, you may buy a 733MHz
processor but instead get a 500MHz.
To determine the processor speed, open the computer and look at the
processor itself. Do not look at the processor through a software program or
through BIOS as these values can be changed or tricked.
Legal software - When purchasing a computer, ensure it comes with legal software. Many end-users or small computer companies who build or sell computers may not provide you with legal copies of the software, which is illegal. Verify that the software that came with your computer is on a standard CD and not a burnt CD. A burnt or home-made CD will generally be a different looking CD and have a gold or green bottom. Ensure that if the software requires a license or registration number that it was included with the computer. An example of software that includes these certificates is Microsoft Office and Windows.