These days, with computer prices lower than ever, you can get a bare-bones Mac or PC for under $500. But if you’re thinking about buying a new computer, you might be wise to wait a few months.

There’s a lot of progress being made in the world of central processing unit (CPU) chips, which power the computer. Intel and AMD, the two top manufacturers of CPU chips, both recently introduced dual-core chips, meaning there are really two CPUs in one package.

By some calculations, new machines with these CPUs will be up to twice as fast. With this speed, you’ll be able to do a lot more multitasking, for example, creating or “burning” a CD and editing digital video at the same time.

New computers with the dual-core chips will soon be brought out by all major manufacturers including such market leaders as Dell and Hewlett Packard. And for all the Mac folks, Apple just announced it will begin manufacturing computers using Intel chips by this time next year.

But, the very newest computers are also usually the most expensive. For example, the current price estimates for the AMD dual-core chips range from $637 to $1299. That’s just for the processor chip. One money-saving strategy is to wait a while until the novelty of faster processors – and high price – wears off.

If you need a new machine right away, buy whatever was near the top of the line before the new-product announcements. Prices often fall dramatically after the new products start shipping.

If you absolutely need the highest speed, say if you do extensive video, graphic design, calculation-intensive scientific work or online gaming, buying the newest model might save enough time to offset the price.

Sharing space? Share some ground rules

Eleven million people in the United States live with an unmarried partner, according to the 2000 census. With at least half of current marriages being preceded by a period of cohabitation, it’s important to set some financial ground rules before moving in as a couple.

While this doesn’t seem the most romantic of notions, you need to have a break-up plan as you won’t have many of the legal protections given to married couples.

When moving in together, here are some tips:

• Keep separate bank accounts. It’s tempting to want to pool resources towards your shared living space, but until you’ve established a history of stability as a couple it’s better to keep your money separate.

• Support yourself. Maintain your own financial identity as long as possible and don’t borrow money from each other. In the event that you and your partner do break up, you need to be secure in the fact that you’re still able to take care of yourself financially.

• Don’t buy things you don’t want. People want different things in their living spaces, but can’t expect their partners to pay too. For example, if your partner wants to splurge on a new plasma TV but you can’t afford it, you’re not obligated to help pay for it, even if you do end up using it.

• Do the bills together. Take time, once a month, to sit down and figure out who owes what. This will assure that you aren’t paying for charges that aren’t yours, like long-distance calls.

• Take things one day at a time. Avoid making financial promises until you and your partner have established a stable living arrangement. If you eventually end the relationship, you don’t want to be caught in any legal situations where your partner holds you to those promises.

– Marshall Loeb

KRT