Member Advice on Computer Fairs & Shows

Following on from my 'Advantages of building your own PC' review I thought I'd go into a bit of detail on one of the other resources for buying PC parts, software and full systems. Now, as you can tell from my other reviews, I am somewhat of a bargain hunter.. Everything I buy is as cheap as possible! So of course, I am a regular at computer fairs. Brief outline: Computer fairs have been around for as long as I can remember (admittedly I can only rememeber back to the 1980's!), and are a fantastic resource for buying almost anything PC related. The fair I go to regularly is held 6 times a year ... more

Computer Fairs started in the days of the early 286 PC, Sega Megadrive and Amiga. Over the years, computer fairs and computer markets have become incredibly popular amongst home users, businesses and enthusiasts alike. Today you'll find a regular show in almost every large town in the UK, packed out with local computer companies and often attended by thousands of people. You are probably wondering why they have suddenly become so popular. I believe it is because there are less “cowboys”. The sellers are usually businesses with either shops, mail order or internet outlets, so they can be relied ... more

Computer Fairs have now taken off with a vengeance. You can buy 90% of the hardware/software you need at ½ the recommended price. The best bargains seem to be ink cartridges. You will probably find a computer fair in most towns and large villages at least once every few months. They are normally filled with local computer companies and also sole traders who have decided to take the plunge. The reason they can offer much cheaper prices is that unlike a large shop they do not have overheads such as wages, heating and rent. If you decide to sell a small table at the fair is around forty to fifty ... more

Ok!! This is an attempt to give a little bit of a low–down on computer fairs held within the north-east of England Computer Fairs are rather like giant car-boot fairs come antiques fairs only obviously selling computer related products (mostly all new, but you can still pickup the odd second hand bargain). First though! “ Are computer fairs worth while”? I should say so the money you save on computer related products can at times be unbelievable, absolute £££’s at times, “But like anywhere else you have to look around there’s always somebody cheaper or with a better deal”. I must admit though ... more

It must be my sad personality, but I love going to Computer Fairs. It's not for everyone as my wife can testify, she once spent a few hours aimlessly following me around one at Blackpool and on the fourth route round fell asleep and later vowed never to go to one with me again. Like most women she seems to take everything in the first time round and can't see the point of doing the same more than three times - bless her. Finding them is not as difficult as first appears. Due to my network of crusty friends I don't really need to check for these events, they seem to come at me from emails and ... more