Because a microcomputer system can be an expensive acquisition, the purchase decision needs to be made carefully. Steps to purchasing a microcomputer include: evaluating the data and word processing needs of the office, determining needs being met with existing capabilities, and making a cost-benefit comparison among systems. (MLW)

For equivalent computer power, smaller computers are not more expensive than larger computers. The cost of computing in the immediate future will be governed not by hardware costs but rather by personnel, software, and communications costs. (Author/MLW)