Enjoy your PC shopping with our guide to the best computer shops in the city.
When it comes to computer shopping in Kyiv, there are a lot ofmoptions. There are supermarkets, small shops, online stores and various dealers offering all sorts of computer merchandise at a variety of prices. However, when it comes to buying a PC, a good price is not the only important point – quality and service guarantees are also extremely important. To help you avoid getting lost among all the choices, here is a shopping guide to Kyiv’s best computer stores, as well as a range of online shops that suit beginners and even the most experienced PC users.
Find your perfect PC
The MKS computer store chain is the biggest in Ukraine, with 48 computer stores in 25 Ukrainian cities. MKS sells computers made by all the brands available in Ukraine. They also sell assembled Neo and Amadey computers, which are divided into three classes: office solution, middle class and premium class. Anatoliy Zavalskiy, manager at one of the MKS computer supermarkets, explained that to choose the right computer, first you need to decide what it will be used for. If you are looking for a computer to use at the office, it doesn’t need to be very powerful, with only a moderate amount of operative and video memory and a moderate hard disk. Models like Neo’s Balance (Hr 2,293 to Hr 2,793) or Amadey’s Qventa (Hr 2,293 to Hr 2,993) are perfect for use as office computers. There are also Quite models (Hr 2,343 to Hr 4,993), which are made so that they emit almost no sound, which can be a good solution for big offices. If you want a computer for home or entertainment purposes, it should have a powerful video card, big operative memory and a moderate capacity hard drive. If you want an extra powerful computer, Neo’s Excellent models (Hr 5,393 to Hr 16,300) are probably for you.
The MKS computer store chain offers a great variety of computer merchandise made by the most popular brands and has many locations around the city. (Konstantin Klimenko)
All the assembled computers have 36 month guarantees. During this term you can upgrade your computer at the company’s service centers by exchanging your old parts for the new ones you want and only paying the difference in the prices.
It is also possible to assemble a computer on your own, by picking from the hardware elements available in the store. A wide assortment of laptops made by eight of the most popular laptop producers is also sold at the store (Hr 3,040 to Hr 17,800). They have 12 or 24 month guarantees (depending on model and producer). MKS also offers a large selection of scanners, printers, pocket PCs and mp3 players.
The GigaByte network of computer stores was founded in 2003. During the last four years the network has extended to 12 stores, with locations in six Ukrainian cities. Most popular computer producers are present at this store, and they have a wide assortment of computers, laptops and pocket PCs. If you don’t know how to choose a computer one of the stores’s assistants can help you select one of Delfics assembled computers. There are 15 different varieties of Delfics computers. Less powerful ones (Hr 940) are meant for office work, where less operative and video memory is needed, while the more powerful and expensive ones (Hr 4,000) are well-suited for use at home and for entertainment purposes. If you are an experienced user you may assemble a computer on your own from components sold at the store. The price list can be found on the company’s web site (www.gb.ua). The store sells laptops made by 10 laptop producers. The most famous ones are MSI, ACER, ASUS and LG. The advantage of a laptop is that it is much smaller than a PC and you can use it without a power supply several hours with help of rechargeable batteries. But that also means that laptops are twice as expensive as PCs (Hr 2,900 to Hr 17,000). GigaByte also sells pocket PCs (Hr 1,600 to Hr 4,250), TFT monitors, printers, scanners and different bags and cases for laptops and pocket PCs. All goods are guaranteed for 12 or 24 months (depending on the producer).
Val Tek was formed in 1996, and over the last 11 years it has dealt in computers, laptops, peripheral devices and computer constituents like processors, hard drives, system boards and video adapters. In Val Tek’s Hacker store you can choose from among 11 assembled computers of two trademarks: “Hacker” and “VT Computers.” “Hacker” trademark computers are based on AMD processors. They are cheaper (Hr 1,215 to Hr 3,120), but also less powerful. “VT Computers” are more powerful and more expensive (Hr 1,215 to Hr 4,340) computers based on Intel processors. You can also buy devices to upgrade your old computer. The store carries a wide assortment of laptops produced by a variety of laptop makers. The most popular ones are ASUS, ACER, Samsung, and LG. At Hacker you can chose a laptop for prices starting at Hr 2,700 to Hr 17,850. There is also wide variety of TFT monitors offered (Hr 890 to Hr 3,265).
The Novaya Elektronika (New Electronics) computer store chain includes 32 stores in 23 Ukrainian cities. The company mainly specializes in computers and laptops, but it also carries acoustic systems, mp3 players, and digital video devices. Their assortment of computers includes nine different models of AMI computers. These computers are intended for home use. They all have large video and operative memories and large capacity hard drives that are good for watching movies and playing the latest computer games. The trademarks they carry include ACER, ASUS, Samsung and Toshiba. The store sells five different laptop models. Novaya Elektronika also has wide selections of TFT monitors made by LG, Samsung, Philips and View Sonic producers. For a detailed description of all the products sold at Novaya Elektronika, go to www.ne.com.ua.
MKS Computer Supermarkets (20 Peremohy Prospect, 236-2092; 119 Chervonozoryaniy Prospect, 496-8388).
MKS Computer Shops (129 Chervonoarmiyska, 529-5088; 1 Kharkivske Shose, 558-1922).
GigaByte (72 Chervonoarmiyska, 501-2308; 6 Velyka Zhytomyrska, 279-8643; 10 Mayakovskoho Prospect, 536-0923).
Hacker (8 Prorizna, 455-7206).
Novaya Elektronika (51 Volodymyrska, 235-2224; 1 Dorohozhytska, 247-6677).
Picking Apples
Apple computers haven’t really hit the market in Ukraine yet. Until recently you could only by Apples at a online stores. However one of the few Apple brand stores, Mac, has just opened its doors in Kyiv. Mac store specializes in iPods and Macintosh computers. A Macintosh is a special type of computer that runs on different software than the common PC or laptop. It has a number of advantages over the other computer brands. For example, it can’t be infected with computer viruses, never makes that buzzing noise and is very reliable.
If you decided to get yourself a Macintosh, but don’t know which one to choose, you might want to get a Mac Mini ($699 to $1,049). It is an ideal choice for beginners because it’s powerful, but also compact. Mac Mini allows you to work with digital photos, movies, music, and the web with ease. If you want to play computer games or work with graphics, then the Mac Book ($1,429 to $1,919) or Mac Book Pro ($2,389 to $3,349) will suit you. These are powerful laptops. It also has a built-in camera, so you can communicate with friends through video chat. Another item at Mac store is iMac ($1,399 to $2,599). It looks like a common TFT monitor, but in fact it is one of the best computers in the world for working with digital photos, videos, music and the Internet. This Mac also has a built-in camera. Finally Mac Pro ($2,000 to $6,200) is considered to be one of the most powerful desktop computers on Earth and is recommended to people who work with sound and video on a professional level. Another store offering a wide assortment of Apple merchandise is MacHouse.
M@C(72 Chervonoarmiyska, Olimpiyskiy shopping center, 590-2552).
MACHOUSE (11 Vandy Vasylevskoyi, 489-0404).
Computers from the web
In order to save yourself time you can go shopping online at a computer web store. After browsing a web store’s selection, all you have to do is make a choice and wait for the computer products to be delivered to you.
www.droid.kiev.ua sells a wide variety of digital products (photo cameras, DVD players, mp3 players), peripheral devices (TFT monitors, printers, scanners), computer component parts (processors, mother boards, video adapters) and laptops. They sell 21 models produced by leading laptops producers, such as Asus, ACER and LG and cost Hr 3,480 to Hr 8,490. All the laptops have 12 to 36 month guarantees (depending on model and producer). To order to mail to [email protected] or call 332-1574.
www.ukrtechno.com.ua deals in Pocket PCs, mobile phones, TFT monitors and laptops. They sell laptops by Acer, HP Compaq and Samsung. The website gives full information about the store’s assortment and you can download a price list where product guarantees and prices are displayed. The website also has a feature which allows you to compare several different items to find out which one is better. To buy any item you must be registered at the website.
Alfa Computer store (www.a-computer.com.ua) carries computers, laptops, monitors, mobile phones, peripheral devices and digital equipment. Typical computer models cost from $395 (office computers) to $2,000 (exclusive models). They sell laptops by 11 popular laptop producers such as ACER, Asus and Panasonic. Alfa Computer also refuels and restores printer cartridges. To make an order you should call 332-1574 or email to [email protected].
