You want to buy a computer, but don't know where to start? It is, honestly, an excellent time to buy a computer, as prices are down and quality is up; but the choices are many and sometimes confusing.
For your viewing pleasure, three simple steps that can take you from confused to confident! Step One: Know what you want.
Deciding on the primary use for the computer is the best place to start.
Most people want the basics: internet connection for e-mail and casual browsing, with some light office functionality thrown in.
But now would be a good time to consider other things like photos and picture editing, music storage, and gaming.
Each of these can add to the cost now, but it is generally much cheaper to buy a stronger machine now than upgrade a weak machine later.
Step Two: Shop around.
This old stand by that Grandma always preaches is still the best way to get the perfect computer.
Even if you are stuck on a specific brand, there are a multitude of places to buy it from, and each will have their own version of both computer and price.
Make a list of what specifications you can get for what price, and avoid talking to salesmen for now.
Step Three: Research.
Once you have a nice list with several choices on it, sit down with the internet and find out which one is really the best deal.
Does that nice full system cost more than that tower-only plus this separate monitor? Which one is really faster, anyway? This is also the time to check shipping charges.
Go through the list of upgrades/downgrades available, and see if there is some way to bring the value up.
Here is a quick checklist of computer components to look at, and what to look for in each.
Operating System- Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)- Intels and AMDs come in 32 and 64 bit flavors, with 1 or more cores.
Bigger numbers are usually, but not always, better.
This is where the research really pays off.
Memory (RAM)- The more, the merrier! Some systems are limited to two sticks, while some can hold four.
These come in DDR, DDR2, and DDR3, with dual-channel flavors of each.
Hard Drive (HDD)- Bigger is always better.
These come in IDE (also called EIDE or ATA), SATA, and SATA II.
Networking- Ethernet is a must, with ratings of 10, 10/100, and 10/100/1000 Mbps available.
This is what most people use to connect to the internet.
Wireless is often available, with ratings of A, B, G, and N.
If you plan to go wireless, you will need a router as well.
Dial-up is still a good idea because it just might be a life saver.
Video- This is a tricky one, with many choices.
All computers come with one, but an onboard card may not be strong enough for high end games.
Compare the card with the system requirements on the back of that sweet game you want to play.
Sound and Speakers- There are extensive choices, but in general, most sound cards are more than adequate for the two or three speaker system that is common for home computers.
These are all rated by the number of speakers it can drive: for example 7+1 is seven speakers plus a sub.
Monitors- The choices are mostly personal here.
LCD, CRT, big, small, wide screen, or standard; The only thing to keep an eye on is shipping, since some monitors can be extremely heavy.
For your viewing pleasure, three simple steps that can take you from confused to confident! Step One: Know what you want.
Deciding on the primary use for the computer is the best place to start.
Most people want the basics: internet connection for e-mail and casual browsing, with some light office functionality thrown in.
But now would be a good time to consider other things like photos and picture editing, music storage, and gaming.
Each of these can add to the cost now, but it is generally much cheaper to buy a stronger machine now than upgrade a weak machine later.
Step Two: Shop around.
This old stand by that Grandma always preaches is still the best way to get the perfect computer.
Even if you are stuck on a specific brand, there are a multitude of places to buy it from, and each will have their own version of both computer and price.
Make a list of what specifications you can get for what price, and avoid talking to salesmen for now.
Step Three: Research.
Once you have a nice list with several choices on it, sit down with the internet and find out which one is really the best deal.
Does that nice full system cost more than that tower-only plus this separate monitor? Which one is really faster, anyway? This is also the time to check shipping charges.
Go through the list of upgrades/downgrades available, and see if there is some way to bring the value up.
Here is a quick checklist of computer components to look at, and what to look for in each.
Operating System- Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)- Intels and AMDs come in 32 and 64 bit flavors, with 1 or more cores.
Bigger numbers are usually, but not always, better.
This is where the research really pays off.
Memory (RAM)- The more, the merrier! Some systems are limited to two sticks, while some can hold four.
These come in DDR, DDR2, and DDR3, with dual-channel flavors of each.
Hard Drive (HDD)- Bigger is always better.
These come in IDE (also called EIDE or ATA), SATA, and SATA II.
Networking- Ethernet is a must, with ratings of 10, 10/100, and 10/100/1000 Mbps available.
This is what most people use to connect to the internet.
Wireless is often available, with ratings of A, B, G, and N.
If you plan to go wireless, you will need a router as well.
Dial-up is still a good idea because it just might be a life saver.
Video- This is a tricky one, with many choices.
All computers come with one, but an onboard card may not be strong enough for high end games.
Compare the card with the system requirements on the back of that sweet game you want to play.
Sound and Speakers- There are extensive choices, but in general, most sound cards are more than adequate for the two or three speaker system that is common for home computers.
These are all rated by the number of speakers it can drive: for example 7+1 is seven speakers plus a sub.
Monitors- The choices are mostly personal here.
LCD, CRT, big, small, wide screen, or standard; The only thing to keep an eye on is shipping, since some monitors can be extremely heavy.
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