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| How to choose the right computerMany of you may be thinking of buying a computer this year. Perhaps your spouse would like to trade stocks online, or your child wants one for homework or entertainment. Whatever the reason, there is a lot to consider before you plunk down your hard-earned cash. Purpose Think about what the system will be used for. For storing files such as movies or scanned photos, or music like mp3 or wav files, you’ll want a CDRW and a larger hard drive. Is gaming your passion? You’ll want a faster system, speedy video card, and a decent joystick, flight yoke, steering wheel or game pad. If the main purpose is to run specific programs, compare the specifications on the box to the system you’re considering. Most computers on the market today will have Internet capabilities. Upgradeability Do you want a system that is fully upgradeable? Many brand-name systems have motherboards custom designed to fit the case. This makes it virtually impossible to upgrade the system board, and requires that you contact the manufacturer for a replacement if it ever fails (and if it hasn’t been discontinued!). For full upgradeability, many people will opt for a custom built unit. You can select the components you want without settling for a pre-designed system that doesn’t suit your needs. The system can grow with you and your family. Components Processor - The AMD Athlon processors are very popular due to speed, reliable performance, and low price. Intel’s Pentium III line is known for reliability, but cost a bit more. Speeds range from approximately 500 megahertz to 1.4 gigahertz. Hard drive - It is best to get the largest drive available at a good price per gigabyte ratio. To upgrade later you must either add a second drive (the megs will be on another drive letter and not merged with your current space) or replace your primary drive (and lose that space entirely). Ram - 64 megs is fairly standard now, with 128 megs becoming more common given the recent price drops. Video card - 8 megs will run most applications. 16 megs is great for teen gamers and DVD systems, while 32 megs is recommended for serious gamers and video editing. Monitor - 15” is the norm, but 17” is recommended for desktop publishing or if you prefer a larger viewing area. Service Some companies offer "on-site" service. The definition of on-site varies from company to company. Most do not actually send a human to your home to fix your problem every time something goes wrong, especially if the technician lives in California. You may have to phone the company and be walked through several steps to try to find the problem. This procedure can take several hours and in some cases, you may have to pay for the call. You may be shipped various components to install yourself with or without phone assistance from the company. Sometimes even the delivery person is the one that does the installation. If you buy from a local company, many have technicians in-house to service the units they sell. If you buy a computer from a discount store, furniture store, TV sales promotion, or online store (a "pre-boxed solution"), these companies will more than likely require you to send the unit back to the factory for service, the shipping costs being your responsibility. Some companies offer in-home service for a fee or may include it in the cost of the system. Make sure you ask, as most will not offer this information as a part of the standard sales pitch. Warranty Computers are usually warranted by the place of purchase, with additional coverage provided by the manufacturers of the components. Bottom line, make sure you get a good warranty from a reputable company. Lets face it; most of us simply do not need a gigahertz machine, although it sounds great when talking to your friends! Select the price range you want to stay within and get the most computer you can afford without going overboard. |
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