TechBuyingGuide.com is a new website that is changing the way that consumers purchase computers online.

Long story short: TechBuyingGuide (TBG) combines processor and graphics card benchmark data and mashing it up with a computer catalog.  The result allows consumers to visually see (on a scale of 0 to 10) how “powerful” each computer is.

There’s a few huge advantages to this system:

1. Buyers don’t have to translate complex hardware specifications. Instead of comparing clock speed, bus speed, L2/L3 cache, and other processor metrics, the raw performance of each machine is presented in an easy-to-understand number.
2. Benchmark data is incredibly accurate. After reading the “About” page, you’ll find that TBG collects a library of benchmark data from multiple sources.  Multiple sources means there’s less chance for bias.  Also, benchmark data gives you real-life, measurable performance data.  This real-life data is much more accurate than “expected” or theoretical performance (e.g. hardware specifications).
3. Variety of hardware brands. The website compiles its catalog from a variety of sellers and manufacturers.  It’s currently lacking Apple products, but it does contain a wide array of other products.
4. Free. The website has done a ton of legwork and research by combining benchmark data with specific computers.  The pre-research is incredibly valuable and really helps in finding the best computer for your needs.

The website has a great promotional video describing the “how to” in greater detail.  TechBuyingGuide is still in its infancy, but it’s an awesome step in the direction of simplifying the process of buying a computer online.