Hannover, Germany  - Computers which cost as little as 200 euros (313.92 dollars) are adequate for surfing the internet, playing DVDs and even most office work, according to test results published by Germany's computer magazine c't.

However, shoppers should check low-cost computers carefully before making a purchase, the magazine recently reported.

The test showed some computers were very loud or seemed to have problems in relation to stability, configuration or energy efficiency. As many customers only focus on the speed of the processor or the amount of working memory and hard drive space, some manufacturers will opt for high quality versions of those components while cutting costs on the motherboard or the power adapter, said some experts.

Search the internet to get an idea of how much the computer is really worth. If the processor or the hard drive cost more than 50 euros each, then that usually indicates that the manufacturer has cut costs elsewhere.

Experts say laptops should have at least one DVI port for connections to an LCD monitor to improve image quality. When buying a cheap laptop, customers should also expect to pay extra for the operating system. (dpa)