Whether you need it for home, school or your business, a new computer can be a major purchase. There are a lot of factors to consider like price, reliability, warranty, memory, CD drives and pre-installed software packages. This article will help you to figure out what you want, and how to get it.
Steps
Decide what you need your new computer for. If you need one for work, a simple bare bones system with Microsoft Word (or OpenOffice.org) will suffice, but if you're an avid gamer then you'll want something more advanced. If you want one for gaming, skip to step 5.
If you need a work computer: consult companies like Dell or eBuyer, as they provide low-cost workstation deals for the "common user." On such sites, you can get a computer without a monitor for under $200, and a CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor costs under $50 (the fat ones that stick out at the back).
Work specs: for an average computer, get anything with over 1.5 gigahertz (Ghz) of processor speed. You should also get at least 512 Megabytes of RAM. Hard drives have dramatically increased in capacity and come with quite a bit: 40 gigabytes (GB) is more than enough for work (If you are installing multiple operating systems such as dual booting Windows and Linux you might want a larger hard drive such as 120 GB). Then you want a CD drive of any kind, and you also want a couple of Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports as many devices for the techno phobe are used through this.
Windows Vista takes a large toll on system resources, make sure you have plenty of memory to spare (1 Gigabyte of RAM is required for Home Premium) And try to get a dual or quad core processor, it will make your computer run faster. Linux and Windows XP are much less demanding on your processor and RAM, so if you want to save money it might be better to try to go for a XP or Linux computer to get the same level of speed of a more expensive Vista computer.
Get any kind of monitor you want. Get one that's at least 15" or you can't see; they range from 17-22" approximately for a CRT. A 17" can cost as little as £40 but for a 22" it costs £250.
Realize that you will need a good budget for a gaming machine. Visit Alienware (for more budget options) or VoodooPC (for more expensive machines). In high end gaming machines, you want a Core 2 Duo based processor, at least 1GB of high speed RAM (random access memory) and a high end graphics card.
LCD monitors are getting cheaper and larger.
If you are buying a computer to run an open source operating system such as Linux, it may be better to prefer distributors that allow to configure components (like Dell). This way you may clearly select devices that do have the drivers for your operating system (it is easy to check with web search). Many current distributions will have the latest kernel of Linux, which has a wide range of hardware support already built-into the operating system. Unusual, niche, or specialized hardware may need special configuration, drivers, or may not be currently supported.
Tips
Sometimes an extended warranty is nice, however most of the time its not needed, for a computer at your workplace you should ask your boss before you buy a warranty.
Most of the software you need can be found in Free/Open source variants online to download, so don't think you need to buy all the software you think you need unless you've checked it out online.
Warnings
Don't get pushed into buying useless stuff, such a card reader, if you have no cards, or a webcam if your not going to use it.
Most of the time computer salespeople work on commission so chances are you are going to be told to buy unnecessary software such as Microsoft Office while Open Office is free, and Anti-Virus software is many times not needed if you are not going to be online.
If you plan at least to try Linux, check the the availability of the Open source (or at least any) drivers. Realizing the driver problems too late is a common unpleasant mistake.
Posted by shila at 11:01 AM 0 comments
How to Buy a Laptop As a University Student
Today, many university students have their own laptops. They are a good tool for use in lectures and as many university students live away from home, they are easier to transport. It also means that you can study anywhere!
Steps
Consider why you need a laptop rather than a desktop. Desktops are often cheaper. If you can opt for a desktop, this may be a better option. Many students leave their laptops on their desk for most of the time.
Do your research and find out what sort of specifications you need. Most students will probably want something that runs fast and has a decent amount of storage space. Graphics and sound probably won't be a top priority unless you're planning on playing games on the computer.
Decide what software you will need before you buy the laptop. Many universities offer software at reduced prices to their students. This will often be cheaper than purchasing the same software with a new computer.
Shop around for the most reasonable price.
Arrange insurance. University students are often a popular target for thieves. You may be able to find insurance with a provider on campus.
Once you have your laptop, be sure to take good care of it. Replacing or fixing a laptop is an expensive and time consuming task!
Tips
Get open source software which are available on the internet for free, including operating systems like linux.
If you have a friend with a laptop, ask them questions about where they got it from and what made them opt for that particular model.
Remember you can purchase a laptop both online and offline.
If you only need a laptop for a short period of time, consider renting. Many universities offer this service and, failing that, there is usually a store nearby that does.
Many universities have special programs with computer manufacturers that can save money. Sometimes they're good deals, sometimes not (don't be afraid to shop around).
Many universities have a technology department in their on-campus bookstore that offers sales as well as service. Oftentimes, these are non-profit organizations that have a relationship with the university. At a large enough school, this typically translates into paying less than retail for the computer and getting on-site service at a steep discount.
If your university bookstore offers on-site service for computers, check whether there are limitations on the brands they service. Check whether they service computers under the manufacturers' warranties.
Make sure you know exactly what kind of laptop you need or want before you set foot in a computer or laptop store. This is to avoid being talked into buying a laptop you may later regret purchasing.
Warnings
If you are purchasing a laptop to use it during lectures, be warned. Some lecturers do not allow laptops to be used in lectures. Check your lecturers' policy on laptops or you could waste your money on something you can't even use!
As a laptop is portable, it may not be covered by some home insurances. Double check the fine detail to make sure you are fully covered.
Check to see if a laptop is refurbished before buying.
Posted by shila at 11:00 AM 0 comments
How to Buy a Computer to Suit Your Needs
Personal computers have become more and more prevalent over the years. It's safe to say that buying a computer is always easier then building your own. Both methods have their own advantages. This article offers some advice for those interested in purchasing their own computers.
Steps
Know your computing needs. For example, are you a casual Internet user or a gamer? Think about what you'd like to accomplish on your new computer. Have you been dreaming of starting a new website with Flash? Do you play games online, or do you play the latest retail games when they are released?
Choose a computer line that fits your needs now and in the future; don't buy just any computer! If it's an expensive computer, optimized for something such as video editing, and you're not going to use it for editing videos, then don't buy it!
"Value" line computers. These PCs are good for checking emails, surfing the web, and word processing, but they are not geared towards much else. Dell, HP (Compaq), Gateway, and other large-volume retail computers offer excellent values for a complete value series package.
"Enthusiast" line computers. Computers of this category are suitable for most power-user tasks, multimedia, and casual gaming. Again, Dell and other major brands will be a good choice.
"Gaming" line computers. These are best for media creation, workstation publishing, and intensive gaming. Typical tasks that require a fast computer include recording music and making Flash movies. Larger computer builders may not be the best choice, but a few of them such as Dell's XPS line, Dell's Alienware brand name, and Northwest Computers, might be good choices. Most users with needs in this category typically build their own PCs, purchasing individual parts from a computer component retailer such as Newegg.com.
Spend time comparing the processor speed, memory, hard disk space, video card, and other components and features of each model that interests you. This will help you find the best deal.
Look for alternatives. It's easy to miss out on opportunities if you're not looking for them. Do you have friends who are computer savvy? What about your neighbors? Do they build their own PCs? If you're looking for a powerful computer, purchasing all of the components and assembling it yourself is often less expensive than purchasing a package deal. If a friend is willing to help you build your own, it might be a worthwhile experience. Avoid this if all you need is a value line PC, because major brands will often get rid of their older components by bundling them in value line PCs.
Check compatibility. If purchasing components to build your own, double check each component's compatibility. For example, if you want to purchase a motherboard with an LGA775 socket, make sure you buy an LGA775 socket CPU. If in doubt, read user comments on products and research the different standards online. The most important compatibility considerations:
Motherboard: CPU socket type, graphics card slot type (PCI-E or AGP), and memory type and speed
CPU: Intel or AMD, and the socket type (ie: AM2, LGA775, 478, etc.)
Memory: Type (DDR or DDR2) and speed (ie: PC3200/DDR400 or PC2-6400/DDR2800)
Power supply (often included with a case): how many watts do you need for your components?
Purchase your new computer. Major brands such as Dell provide a web-based configuration tool for customizing a PC before you purchase it. This may be a more relaxing experience than being rushed by a sales representative over the phone. If there is something you don't understand when configuring your PC, call that company's sales line for answers
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