Oct. 11--Now that school has started, there is often a line at the family computer.

Even families with two computers are feeling the pinch as school work demands computer time. For many, it's time to shop for a second or even third computer. Today, we'll try to sort out some of the questions and answers.

Know your needs

Can a little rescheduling solve your problem without buying a new machine? Do you already have a laptop computer? If not, perhaps it makes sense to add one. How powerful are the computers you already own? If they're rapidly becoming antiques, maybe a modern desktop computer is the answer.

Do the research

The best place to start is Cnet.com. For years I've been impressed by the clarity and toughness of the reviews.

Look on the left hand side of the site's home page and you'll see links for both laptop and desktop computers. Make your choice and you'll see that the reviews let you search by price range or manufacturer. You'll also find buying guides. Or you can let the editors pick up some of the load by clicking on a link that offers only the machines that got their highest marks.

When you're done, you should have a list of two or three finalists -- any more than that and the next step will be too confusing; any less and you lose flexibility in finding the best deal.

Shop for the best deal

Here's where the Web is a wonderful tool. Start comparing prices for the machines that made your final cut. But stick to brand name Web sites. In almost every case, if you find a price that's too good to be true, it should raise warning flags. Resist the temptation to click the order button before checking local merchants. Compare prices at the store with what you find online and make sure you are comparing what the final total cost will be. That means factoring in shipping costs, sales tax and any other charges.

And take along any online price quotes when you go to the local stores. Show the prices to the sales person and ask if they can match them.

Extended warranties

Your new computer will have, or should have, a 1-year warranty included in the price. My advice: If you're buying a desktop computer, don't consider an extended warranty. Even if that machine breaks down after the 1-year warranty expires, the repair cost is likely to be less than the cost of the extended warranty.

Laptops are a different matter. They're hit by this triple whammy: (1) They aren't as sturdy as a desktop, (2) they are more likely to be subjected to the bumps and bruises of travel and (3) repair costs are often higher than for desktop machines. So at least consider an extended warranty. Do the math and see if it makes sense for you.

Don't forget the add-ons

With desktops, it's smart to buy a UPS -- uninterruptable power supply. It'll furnish filtered power as well as provide enough juice to let you safely shut down the machine during a power outage. I've always favored the APC brand when it comes to a UPS.

Laptops that get heavy use need extra cooling. At home, we simply set our laptop on a cake cooling rack. But you can also buy special cooling pads. Heat build-up is a real problem for laptops, so take a look at this Web site: tinyurl.com/mamrnv. Besides offering general cooling tips, it'll talk about various commercial cooling pads.

If you follow these tips you'll probably save money and make a purchase that will please you for years to come. And you'll certainly reduce the size of the line forming at your computer.

Bill Husted writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. E-mail: tecbud@bellsouth.net

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