* 3D Graphic Accelerator Next generation 3D chipsets are not essential business equipment. Most modern computers will have a 3D chipset by default. Simply don't go upgrading this because you're only doing it to play latest games. Don't buy a distraction.

CDRW or DVDRW drive If you value your business you'll value your data. A CD or DVD writer/burner gives you ability to safely and quickly backup your data. Do not buy a PC without one.

LCD/Flat screens MTV Cribs has sold more flat screen tvs than any marketing campaign could hope to. Will a 21" LCD screen make you work faster or better? Nope. CRT monitors are cheaper and do same job. If its supplied as standard with system then that's fine. Don't go spending money on an LCD upgrade.

Extended warranties Sales people make large commissions from these. Do you really need a 5 year warranty on your computer? Will you still own same computer in even 3 years? Never take these warranties at face value.

Generic Brand Computers Just because it isn't Dell, IBM, HP or Compaq doesn't mean it's cheap. Generic brands use same components as and are therefore equally as reliable as big name brands like HP and Dell. Buy smart.

Refurbished systems If budget is tight and spec is right then these are well worth considering. Be certain of what your warranty cover on such a system is though. Many refurbished systems only have a 90-day warranty.

Phone-A-Friend Check with friends who have purchased computers recently. What problems did they encounter when buying their PC? Who did they buy from? What was aftersales service like?

Printer Does your business really need a top-of-the-range color laserjet that prints 7,000 pages per minute? Nope? Didn't think so.

Here's a brief list of questions you should ask yourself when buying your printer:

* Do you need color printing capabilities?

* How many pages per minute do you actually need to print?

* What is cost per page for color and black printing?

* How much does replacement ink/toner cost?

* How many pages of black text can you get from each cartridge?

* How much desktop space will printer require?

* Are updated drivers and tech support for this model readily available?

Hopefully this set of articles has proven useful to you. Again a few thousand words can't possibly encompass everything you need to know about designing and operating a home office. www.home-office-advisor.com is there for that purpose.

Home Office Advisor has lots of information for anybody who has, does or will run their own home office. The site contains detailed information on office chairs, desks, computers, ergonomics and other related topics.

Other source of "cheap" office chairs are IT firms and call centers. They're constantly having to replace their furniture to meet legal ergonomic requirements. That $200 office chair can often be purchased slightly used for about $20.

Your Ergonomic Environment

The 3 key environmental factors in a suitable home working environment are noise, light and heat.

Noise Excessive noise is not only distracting but also debilitating. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can and will affect your hearing.

What counts as excessive noise? Most experts agree that anything over 45 decibels or equivalent of a really loud office fan is counterproductive to your work. You'll have trouble focusing or thinking clearly for more than a few moments.

Your home office needs to be a relatively peaceful environment. You'll do your best thinking, be at your most creative and work most effectively in a quieter office space.

Avoid using laundry rooms, TV rooms or other areas with excessively noisy equipment of any kind.

Light You need to be in control of light in or coming into your office. Light sources that are too bright will cause glare on computer screens and documents.

A home office that is too dimly lit will lead to eyestrain and headaches over time. If area is too dark you'll lean closer to computer screen and documents to read them thus causing discomfort.

Natural light is ideal because it provides diffuse (soft) light. An added bonus is that natural sunlight has a beneficial effect on our physiologies - our bodies produce more "feel good" chemicals when we absorb natural light.

Obviously don't put your working area in direct sunlight as it will be far too uncomfortable to work in. Simply arrange your office in such a way as to maximize benefit of natural light in your immediate surroundings.

If you're a nightowl then simply point your desklamp away from desk towards a wall behind you. Why? This provides same type of diffuse light that you'd experience during day. Adjust lamp until it provides enough light to read your screen or documents comfortably by.

Heat This is easy bit. Your home office should be neither too hot nor too cold. Is that stating obvious? Any extremes of temperature in your home office will lead to decreased work performance. Normal room temperature is 37 degrees celsius (98 degrees Farenheit) so you need to aim for something in that region.

If your home office is too cold you won't be able to focus. You'll spend more time being annoyed at being cold than getting any work done.

Too much heat and you'll find yourself becoming irritable, lethargic and distinctly uncomfortable.

Your body is no different to engine of a car or a piece of electronics. We all have optimal working temperatures. Otherwise we break down.

continued in Part Two

Home Office Advisor has lots of information for anybody who has, does or will run their own home office. The site contains detailed information on office chairs, desks, computers, ergonomics and other related topics.