7. Standards - pros and cons
| Advantages of standards | Disadvantages of using a manufacturer who does not follow the standards |
|---|---|
| More choice from a variety of manufacturers | Once you have purchased your equipment you are locked into that manufacturer |
| Lower prices and better technical development | You have to go to a specialist retail outlet to purchase the equipment and peripherals. They are not so easily available as equipment which follows the standards |
| Not locked into one manufacturer | You cannot sensibly compare equipment as they use different standards |
| Can be purchased from many retail outlets | There is a lack of price competition which can result in higher prices |
| Able to compare equipment performance from different manufacturers | There may be less encouragement for technical development due to fewer competitors. |
| Devices will work together | |
| Can be mended or serviced by a number of companies | |
| Easy to find alternative equipment |
challenge see if you can find out one extra fact on this topic that we haven't already told you
Click on this link: Computer Standards