If you do not already have an HPLC system, or are buying one for a completely new application, it can be difficult to know exactly what to buy.

It is important to know as much as possible about what the system is required to do, and what it might have to do in the future. From this, we can work out a system specification that would be able to do the job. There will still be lots of options, although some of these will be eliminated by company policy, personal preference, or just a shortage of money! But at least you will know that anything you choose that meets the spec you have selected will do the analysis for you.

A note for those starting out with very little money! For some people, a very limited budget is available, and the temptation is to buy whatever seems to be the cheapest or has the biggest discount! If possible, try to forget the budget for the moment, and concentrate on what the system is required to do. Once the basic specification is established, it is possible to search for the lowest cost solution, knowing that any solution which meets the specification will be able to do the job. It is of course possible that nothing that meets the spec will be within budget! However at that stage you can make an intelligent decision before buying a bargain system which won't do your analysis! Options then can include leasing or renting, contracting out the analysis in the short term, or buying a lower spec system to get started with the option of trading in for a better one within a year etc.

A note for those who have never ever done any HPLC before!

In the pages that follow, each stage of the decision-making process is explained. In each stage, we endeavour to decide which is the most appropriate route to take and move on. The specification you obtain at the end should be a very good match to your system requirement. So it is important not to guess! If you feel unsure of what choice to make, you are welcome to call us and discuss the options available on 01634-294001.

A note for those who already have at least one HPLC System.

The temptation is to buy another one of the systems you have already. It does of course make sense, and may indeed be the best outcome. However you might like to do the excercise for your total HPLC needs, and consider what you might go for if you were starting from zero. It might be that you will come up with a very different configuration than if you just add another system. If so, and you feel that the change would be sufficiently beneficial, it might be possible to work out a trade-in deal to include the equipment you have already. It might, of course, be that in the end you remain convinced that another one of the same is the best way to go. But it would still have been worthwhile to consider the options with an open mind now!