A basic computer is enough...

It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on a computer to do accounting - any computer bought within the last 5 years will certainly have enough power.

In fact, you will be fine if you have a reliable desktop or a laptop computer running Windows 98 or later.  You just need enough hard disk space to load the program and run a data file - about 40 MB. 

You probably should replace your computer if it has a history of being unreliable - which you can do for less than $NZ1,000 (here's an example).  Once you have your accounting on computer your business will come to depend on it - so you are going to need your computer to at least be reliable.

If you are going to stay with your old computer, consider investing in a quality monitor if you don’t have one (it will make the numbers easier to read), and a USB port too (these make backups simple and reliable).

A laptop has many advantages...

  Laptops are great for small business accounting.

• They are now about the same price as desktop computers, sometimes cheaper. 
• They are portable - you can easily take your accounting home or to the coffee shop!
• The built in battery is handy (if the power goes off, you don’t lose what you are working on).
• They take up less room (but are possibly more prone to theft, damage or loss).

Most laptops have their numbers across the top of the keyboard and accounting means lots of numbers - so a cheap and easy tip ($25) is to plug a separate keyboard in to get the much more practical numberpad to work with.

And a printer is a necessity...

Computer accounting still involves working with paper - sometimes lots of paper!

A printer is a key part of a computer accounting system.  Your computer will generate reports, as well as opening up opportunities for sending out invoices, statements and other material.  The type of printer you choose is not critical - any modern printer will do the job.