What Kind of Computer Should I Buy

This narrative will walk you straight through the choices you need to make and contribute guidance for what to choose.

What Kind of Computer Should I Buy

In order to retort this query properly, you need to resolve what type of user you are and what special needs you may have. Additionally, you need to resolve how much you want to spend and whether you would consider buying a used or refurbished computer.

General Guidelines

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As a general rule, my notion is that one should get the most computer that they can afford without getting the actual top of the line.

Computer technology changes rapidly and today's super fast and capable computer rapidly becomes outdated. Unless you are interested in swapping your computer frequently, getting a very capable current computer should hold you for at least a few years.

The very top of the line computer demands a prime in price that is commonly not worth it and one level below has at least 95% of the potential of the top.

If your funds doesn't allow for this solution, you need to be aware of the tradeoffs in discrete choices that you will have to make.

Computer type selection

You should first resolve if you want a laptop or desktop computer. I've discussed the issues at distance in my narrative entitled Desktop or Laptop? The main query is if you have the need to be movable even though your computer will cost more and maybe have less capability.

Depending on one's finances, you may opt for used computer or for a blowout special. Great savings can be achieved by taking this route.

However, used computers present sustain challenges and the risk of early breakdown. Low priced business transaction computers may be minuscule in extreme potential and need to be carefully evaluated. I hope to discuss these options in greater detail in a hereafter article.

Heavy duty 3D gaming is a whole new world and commonly pushes current computer technology to the limits with top of the line excellent and costly units and is out of the scope of this article.

Component choices

1. Processor

If money is not a pressing issue, single core computers should not be purchased. Dual core processors are more excellent and, for most users, any dual core processor based computer should suffice for suitable activities such as word processing, email, browsing the web, watching Dvd's, doing one's finances and the vast majority of other tasks.

If you need to do heavy database querying, complex mathematical computations and whole crunching or heavy encryption, you should get one of the higher end processors.

2. Operating system

Assuming a Windows Pc, the choices are between Xp and Vista. Vista aid Pack 1 (a set of fixes to the known problems of the operating system) has not yet been officially released and the first aid pack normally makes a big difference. My notion is that if there is a choice, Vista should be avoided until Sp1 is officially released.

If you are very familiar with Xp and don't want to struggle with studying a new operating system or you have a schedule that is not supported on Vista yet, Xp can do everything you need and you can invite it worry free if your seller allows for this option.

If you settle on Vista, at a minimum you should not get Vista Home Basic but rather settle on Vista Home Premium. For maximum Os power, Vista extreme should be chosen. The detailed options for Vista are outlined in my narrative Which Vista should I Use?

3. Monitor

A 17 inch monitor is probably the smallest that you should resolve for. You can settle on larger ones if you so desire. Some monitors come with built in speakers if that suits your needs. If you want your computer to duplicate as an entertainment center, you should consider purchasing a high definition or plasma monitor. Dell has an excellent overview of their choices here

Dell Monitor Link

4. Memory

The most crucial factor in terms of computer performance is the whole of memory. When you buy computer memory, a minimum of a gigabyte of high speed memory should be prime to sustain today's demanding operating systems and programs. 2 gigabytes would be even better.

If one is engaged in heavy duty graphics such as Cad (Computer Aided Design) or 3D gaming, or if one is doing heavy database entrance or whole crunching, even more memory should be added.

5. Hard Drive Size

Major manufacturers are offering drives with 250 Gigabytes of storage on their lowest end computers. This should be more than enough for most users.

6. Cd and Dvd burner

Drives that read and write to Cds and Dvds are cheap and you should specify read and write for both. Don't accept Cd read/write and Dvd read only.

Blue Ray and Hd Dvd disks can hold up to 50 gigabytes but the drives needed to use them are much more costly than suitable Dvd drives. suitable Dvd drives will run colse to while Blue Ray will cost colse to 0.

7. Video card

The type of card that you get depends on the type of activities that you are planning;

1. Basic user - word processing, internet browsing, email and Dvd movies

The basic level card will suffice for this. It should have at least 128Mb. 2 representative cards are the Nvidia 7300Gt and Ati 1300Xt.

2. Vista Aero User or light gaming, rich media, and general entertainment

This potential requires mid level graphics power and a card with at least 256 Mb of its own internal memory should be purchased. A sample card would be Ati Hd2600Xt

3. Edit and view photographs in great color

A mid level card should be used for this. One example is the Nvidia 8600Gt, All cards from this level and up should have at least 256 Mb.

4. Playback Hd potential content

The card should have Hdmi outputs to attach to external displays. 2 possibilities are Nvidia 8600gt or Ati Hd2600Xt.

5. 3D accelerated Games in high definition player, Cad (Computer Aided Design), video editing or high level descriptive design

3D gaming makes the many demands on the computer's video systems and the sky is the limit here. In general, the highest level card that your system will accept will contribute the most satisfying experience.

The detailed options for each of these levels of action are described in my narrative Video Cards Demystified.

8. Sound and Speakers

The suitable sound card offered by most manufacturers is fine. If you have special requirements, the major dealers present the advantages of the discrete upgrade offerings.

Speakers project the sound of your computer. Great speakers contribute subwoofers and different levels of surround sound.

9. Keyboard and mouse

Connected or wireless versions are offered. Be sure to get an optic mouse. They are much more trustworthy than a trackball mouse.

10. Media reader

These are normally listed as 15 in 1 or 13 in 1 card or media reader. This gadget allows you to directly get data off of a whole of devices such as Digital Cameras, personal digital assistants (Pdas) and others.

11. modem

If you want to send or receive faxes or associate to the internet via a phone line where high speed internet may not be available, you will need a modem.

12. wireless network

If you plan to associate to a wireless network, you will need a wireless network card in your computer. suitable network cards are built in.

Best of luck with your purchase.

>What Kind of Computer Should I Buy

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