Compatibility

If and when you go out to the store and purchase something for your computer it is essential that you think about compatibility between the item and your computer.  For example: A new monitor...the connections to your computer can be; VGA, DVI-A, DVI-D, DVI-I or HDMI..you need to know what will fit into your computer, 

or say you want to buy a blank CD/DVD to burn a song...well you can get DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-ROM,HDDVD,BD,AOD,CDRW,CD+R,CD-R etc...WOW that's crazy

Even something as simple as buying a USB device can be confusing as there are now 3 different types, USB 1.1, USB 2.0, USB 3.0...and each can do or not do certain things and not all will connect to your computer.  These are just a few of the examples of how confusing buying computer equipment can be and we haven't even talked about the internal components yet...

So before you go buy something for your computer make sure it will fit, find out the type of connection you have. It might save you a trip to the store and a long wait in the return isle...