• Buying Computers and Components on eBay

• Setting Up a Network

• How to Find Computers & Networking Equipment on eBay

• Buy With Confidence

Buying Computers and Components on eBay

Buying Computers and Components on eBay

Choosing a computer from the thousands available on eBay can be a daunting prospect.

We’ve put together the Desktop PCs and Laptops Buying Guides to help you navigate the vast range and choose your ideal computer, whether it’s a portable laptop such as an Apple Macintosh iBook or a high-end multimedia machine like the Sony Vaio desktop PC.

Here’s a quick look at the different types of computer and computer component you’ll find on eBay:

Desktop PCs

eBay’s Desktop PCs Buying Guide will help you choose the right computer for your needs. The guide explains the difference between AMD Athlon and Intel Pentium processors, why a 20GB hard drive may suit you better than a 80GB hard drive, how to choose the right RAM memory for your needs, the importance of your operating system and what software you might need.

The Desktop PCs Buying Guide also offers information on features, components and peripherals to look for when buying a computer, from DVD+/-RW drives to extra cables.

Apple Macs

In our Desktop PCs and Laptops Buying Guides, you’ll find information on the variety of Apple Macs available on eBay, including the powerful PowerMac G5, the stylish iMac and the space-saving Mac Mini, as well as the PowerBook and iBook laptops.

Mac OS, which stands for Macintosh Operating System, was launched in the early 80s as the first computer operating system with a user-friendly visual interface for everyday consumers. Microsoft produced a similar product called Windows, and Windows now dominates the market.

Apple Macintosh has very loyal users and there are thousands of Mac computers available on eBay. If you use lots of graphics and media applications, you may be more comfortable with an Apple Mac desktop or laptop. All recent models support Ethernet networking, Firewire and USB 2.0, and may have more RAM memory than standard PCs.

Laptop PCs

eBay’s Laptops Buying Guide explains the pros and cons of choosing a laptop (notebook) computer over a desktop PC.

You can get fantastic performance from a desktop replacement laptop with powerful Intel or AMD processor, and some high-end laptops come with as much as 120GB of storage space on the hard drive – more than you’ll find in most desktops. Intel's mobile processor technology, Centrino, is found in many laptops and enables easy wireless networking.

Handhelds and PDAs

Handheld devices and PDAs (personal digital assistants) are developing fast, and you’ll find the very latest models on eBay. These include devices that let you send and receive email, browse websites and communicate with other devices using wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or infrared.

Today’s PDA/mobile phone combination devices, such as the Palm Treo and the many phones that have RIM BlackBerry technology, are the ultimate in portable computer networking. See our PDAs Buying Guide for more information.

Computer Components

Building your own computer may seem an impossible dream, but it’s a cost-effective and reasonably straightforward process – if you have the right components. In eBay’s Desktop PC Components category you’ll find all the motherboards, processors, RAM memory sticks, cables, connectors and other components you’ll need to upgrade your PC or build it from scratch.

The Computing category also has every peripheral and software program you’ll need when upgrading or building a PC, such as DVD drives, printers, Ethernet networking cards, external storage solutions and operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh OS X.

Setting Up a Network

Setting Up a Network

If you want two or more computers in different rooms of your house to share data or share an Internet signal, you’ll need to set up a network. Whether you want a wired network or a wireless network, you’ll find all the equipment you need on eBay.

In our Networking Buying Guide you’ll find information on the components and accessories you’ll need to set up a network. These include:

• Router:  Routers are boxes that plug into your phone line to access your broadband Internet signal. Wireless routers beam the Internet signal to all nearby computers that have an Ethernet card, Centrino or equivalent. Popular router brands include BT, Belkin, D-Link and Linksys.

• Network Interface Card (NIC): Every laptop or desktop you want to put on a wired network needs a 10/100 Network Interface Card, also called an Ethernet card. Your computer may have an Ethernet port already. If you want to put computers on a wireless network, they’ll need a wireless card that supports 802.1b or 802.11g wireless networking technology. Laptops with Centrino have built-in wireless support.

• Ethernet Hub: Ethernet hubs allow computers to share data as well as an Internet connection. They connect to your router, increasing the number of machines that can connect to your network.

• Switch: Data switches also allow computers to share data and an Internet connection, but they’re faster than Ethernet hubs and capable of transferring more data.

• Cat5 Cable: Cat5 networking cable allows you to create a wired connection between two devices. If you work in an office, you probably use one to attach your computer to the office’s local area network.

• Access Point: Access points from companies such as Netgear, Linksys, D-Link and Belkin act as a hub, allowing users to access your wireless network.

• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Always plug your computer into a surge protector, and a UPS may also come in handy if you’re in an area prone to power cuts.

• Network Attached Storage (NAS): Until recently, only big businesses could afford network data back-up devices. But prices have come down, and now home users can find affordable Network Attached Storage devices on eBay to keep data safe if your Internet connection is temporarily lost.

• Print Server: Wired and wireless print servers let you share a printer without leaving a designated computer on all the time.

Wireless Networking

A laptop may give you freedom, but it’s not truly portable unless you can check your emails, access the Internet and communicate without wires.

A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a wireless local area network that uses radio waves to carry information from one device to another. The network gives a wireless connection to all users in the surrounding area – your house, an office, an entire university campus or a Wi-Fi hotspot such as a café or library.

Wireless networking equipment used to be too expensive for all but the richest of business users, but now you’ll find a full range of affordable networking equipment on eBay. This is thanks mainly to the cheaper 802.11b standard of networking technology, which limits the network’s range to about 30 feet and makes it suitable for use in homes. Faster 54 Mbit/s 802.11a (5GHz) and 802.11g (2.4GHz) standards are now available and cost a little more to set up.

• There are two types of wireless network: Peer-to-peer (ad-hoc) networking: Enables wireless devices to communicate directly with each other. Wireless devices within range of each other can “find” each other and communicate without cables.

• Infrastructure networking: Links a wireless network to a wired Ethernet network. For example your home router (broadband/ADSL connection box) is plugged into the phone line with cables, picks up the Internet and beams it wirelessly to any nearby computer that has a wireless card. In the UK, many broadband Internet packages are offered together with a wireless router.

Tip: If you have a laptop with Centrino, you won’t need a wireless card to pick up the Internet signal from a router. In fact you may enter a Wi-Fi hotspot with your laptop and pick up the wireless signal without even realising it.

How to Find Computers & Networking Equipment on eBay

How to Find Computers & Networking Equipment on eBay

There are lots of ways to find your ideal computer, component or networking device on eBay. Here are a few tips:

Basic Search
If you know what you’re looking for, use the Search box on the homepage. Type in your keywords and select Computing from the drop-down box. For example if you’re looking for a Netgear wireless storage router, type in “Netgear wireless storage router” and select Computing, then click Cables/Connectors in the left-hand list of Computing sub-categories.

Narrow your search
Just above the listings you’ll see a short list of popular search terms in that category. For searches in the Computing category, these links may include networking cables, hard drive, connectors, storage, RAM memory, data, software, operating system, processor and motherboard. Click on a link to see matching items currently for sale. You can also narrow your search with the Matching Categories list on the left of the listings page. After running a search for a wireless storage router in the Computing category, the list Matching Categories list includes Networking, Peripherals, Cables/Connectors, Software, Other Computing, Desktop PC Components, Laptop Accessories, Apple/Macintosh and Drives/Storage. Click the All Categories link to see all categories where your search term is mentioned. For a wireless storage router these include Networking, Peripherals, Cables/Connectors, Software, Desktop PC Components, Books & Manuals, Laptop Accessories, Apple/Macintosh, Drives/Storage, Desktop PCs and Laptops.

Browse the categories
Start from the Computing Overview page and browse the links. Click the categories that interest you to browse all matching items currently for sale. For example if you’re planning to set up a home wireless network, look at the links in the Cables/Connectors and Networking categories. Sub-categories listed below these headings include Broadband/ADSL/RJ11 Cables, Modem Cables, Network Cables/RJ45, Power Cables, ADSL/Cable Modems & Routers, Bluetooth, Network Cables & Connectors, Network Cards Internal/External, Router Components/Memory, VoIP/Internet Telephones, Wired Routers and Wireless Networking.

Use the Desktop PCs or PC Laptops Finder
Click the Desktop PCs pr Laptops category link on the Computing Overview page and use the Finder tools on the left to find your ideal computer. This tool allows you to choose your ideal brand (Acer, Dell, Sony, Compaq, Fujitsu-Siemens and so on); processor speed (from less than 400MHz up to 4GHz or more); RAM memory (less than 64MB up to 2GB or more); hard drive capacity (less than 5GB up to 120GB or more) and condition (new or used). You can also enter a keyword in the Desktop PCs or PC Laptops Finder, such as Centrino, Ethernet card, Windows XP or DVD drive.

Want It Now
Desperately seeking a Cisco digital modem card, Apple Macintosh Airport Extreme card or a Belkin data switch? Post a message on Want It Now and tell millions of sellers exactly what you want. Post your message in the Computing category for the widest audience, or target specialists by posting in Networking, Desktop PCs, Desktop PC Components or Laptops.

Go to eBay Shops
eBay Shops are run by experienced eBay sellers who sell hundreds of items each day. They tend to specialise in one area such as Bluetooth devices, Ethernet cards or cables and connectors. Click the eBay Shops link on the eBay homepage, then click Computing to explore items for sale by Apple Macinstosh specialists, data storage experts, 3GHz processor specialists and so on. To search just within eBay Shops, go to the eBay Shops homepage and enter your search term, such as “Apple Macintosh Airport Extreme card”. The results will look similar to any other listings page, but the sellers are all Shops sellers.

Buy With Confidence

Buy With Confidence

You may find the desktop, laptop or component of your dreams and want to bid on it. But before you do, here are some tips:

Work out the postage and insurance: Include the cost of delivery in your calculations when deciding how much to bid. If you spend a lot of money on a computer, make sure the seller will insure it for delivery.

Read the item description carefully: This is particularly important with expensive items like PCs and high-spec components and accessories. Check whether full instructions are included. If the listing doesn’t say so, click “Ask seller a question” to find out before you bid.

Is it under guarantee? If so, what are the terms?

Check the return policy: Email for clarification if you need it.

If in doubt, ask. Important information about operating systems, processor speed and storage router specs are crucial to your decision to bid.