Selecting a Computer.

What Computer Should I Buy?

This is the most common question that people ask when they want to purchase a PC. This is a difficult question to answer because it requires knowledge about your budget, application and usage. The cost will involve more than just the PC, as a monitor and software will also need to be purchased as these are not normally included with the PC. Additionally one must take into account the peripheral devices such as printers, digital cameras, and scanners. One needs to know the importance of sound quality to the user, will it be used to watch DVD movies or play music? Important questions to ask include:

1. Will it be used in one location or will it be used in more than one? When shopping for a laptop, make sure its something you are willing to carry. Don't forget to also consider the weight of accessories such as AC adapter when carrying around the notebook.


2. What are the performance requirements? For processors there are two basic choices to make: brand and speed. Both Intel and AMD are starting to produce dual core processors, but they aren't required for most people. Budget CPUs can be found around the 2.0 to 3.0 GHz, mid-range at 2.8 to 3.2 GHz and high-end processors at or above 3.4 GHz. If you are on a budget, consider a refurbished system.


3. How much money have you budgeted to this purchase? Most computer systems that are advertised are listed without the cost of a monitor. Because of this, it is important to determine your computer budget with the amounts for a monitor and computer separately. Low cost CRT monitors will generally be under $200 while LCD monitors start around $300. What good is a computer without a monitor? Consumers can choose between CRT or LCD monitors. CRTs provide a wide range of capabilities at a good price but are bulky. LCDs take up less desk space but cost more and have limited capabilities. Regardless of type of monitor, look at getting at least a 17” monitor capable of displaying a resolution of 1280 by 1024 pixels.


4. Will it be used for business applications? The answer to this question may well determine the software requirements, and memory size. RAM is important because if you don't get enough, your system won't run optimally. The minimum amount of RAM for today's systems should be 512MB even for budget systems. 1GB of RAM provides better performance. DDR memory is now used by all current systems with the most common being PC3200. When buying memory, try to buy as few modules as possible to allow for future memory upgrades if needed.


5. Will it be used for surfing the internet? With the spies, virus programs, worms and Trojan horses on the net, it is important to make sure you have backups for all provided software and that you have the ability to rebuild your system software if necessary. Viruses are no longer the main focus of security where your computer is concerned. Though still a serious concern, mailware of every type is becoming more and more prevalent on the internet with rootkits being the most closely watched item.


6. Will it be used for gaming or graphics applications? Gaming consists of applications that require the graphics processor to handle complex tasks for calculating 3D graphics.

7. Will it be networked, and how, hardwired or wireless? Make sure all necessary components are compatible. The ability to connect to the net is integral to most systems today. Look for systems that include a built in 56Kbps modem and Fast Ethernet. This allows one to get logged in for most situations. If you want ultimate portability, look at getting a computer with an integrated 802.11b/g wireless adapter. More and more locations are available with wireless hotspots for connectivity.


8. When buying a laptop consider the battery life!. Look to get a system with at least 2 hours of battery life under normal conditions. If you need extended time unplugged, look for laptops with media bays that can double as extra battery slots.


9. How much disk drive storage will be required? Hard drives boil down to capacity and speed. Most hard drives available now will provide you with more than enough storage. Look for 80 GB drive as the minimum. If you believe you need more space or the extra space doesn't cost more, get the upgrade. If you really want performance, look for drives with 8MB or 16MB of cache.

10. How many peripheral devices will it drive? Many of the peripherals today use USB ports for connectivity. As the popularity has grown, so has the number of ports on a computer. If should be noted that if a computer does not have sufficient ports for all the devices, it is possible to use a USB hub to increase the number of ports on a computer.

11. Which warranty plan should you purchase? Laptops take a lot of abuse and are more prone to breakdowns due to their portability. When buying a system, make sure to get at least a 1 year warranty from the manufacturer. If you will be using the system heavily, a system that comes with a 3 year warranty might be a better choice but it will cost more. Third party extended plans are not a good choice unless service is done through the manufacturer.

Denny Kessler
denny@tracy-online.com
Admin http://www.tracy-online.com