This article will walk you through the choices you need to make and provide guidance for what to choose.
In order to acknowledge this request properly, you need to settle what type of user you are and what special needs you may have. Additionally, you need to settle how much you want to spend and either you would think buying a used or refurbished computer.
Pc Speakers
General Guidelines
As a general rule, my thought 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Computer technology changes rapidly and today's super fast and capable computer rapidly becomes outdated.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 curious 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 excellent 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 various choices that you will have to make.
Computer type selection
You should first settle if you want a laptop or desktop computer. I've discussed the issues at distance in my article entitled Desktop or Laptop? The main request is if you have the need to be movable even though your computer will cost more and possibly 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 reserve challenges and the risk of early breakdown. Low priced business agreement computers may be slight in extreme potential and need to be determined evaluated. I hope to discuss these options in greater information in a future article.
Heavy duty 3D gaming is a whole new world and commonly pushes current computer technology to the limits with top of the line noteworthy and costly units and is out of the scope of this article.
Component choices
1. Processor
If money is not a pressing issue, particular core computers should not be purchased. Dual core processors are more noteworthy 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, involved mathematical computations and estimate crunching or heavy encryption, you should get one of the higher end processors.
2. Operating system
Assuming a Windows Pc, the choices are in the middle of Xp and Vista. Vista assistance Pack 1 (a set of fixes to the known problems of the operating system) has not yet been officially released and the first assistance pack regularly makes a big difference. My thought is that if there is a choice, Vista should be avoided until Sp1 is officially released.
If you are very well-known with Xp and don't want to struggle with learning a new operating theory or you have a program that is not supported on Vista yet, Xp can do all you need and you can invite it worry free if your seller allows for this option.
If you elect Vista, at a minimum you should not get Vista Home Basic but rather elect Vista Home Premium. For maximum Os power, Vista extreme should be chosen. The detailed options for Vista are outlined in my article Which Vista should I Use?
3. Monitor
A 17 inch monitor is probably the smallest that you should settle for. You can elect 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 think purchasing a high definition or plasma monitor. Dell has an excellent summary of their choices here
Dell Monitor Link
4. Memory
The most crucial factor in terms of computer operation is the estimate of memory. When you buy computer memory, a minimum of a gigabyte of high speed memory should be excellent to reserve 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 access or estimate crunching, even more memory should be added.
5. Hard Drive Size
Major manufacturers are contribution drives with 250 Gigabytes of storehouse on their bottom 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 around while Blue Ray will cost around 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 brilliant 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 greatest demands on the computer's video systems and the sky is the limit here. In general, the top level card that your theory will accept will provide the most satisfying experience.
The detailed options for each of these levels of performance are described in my article 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 reveal the advantages of the various upgrade offerings.
Speakers task the sound of your computer. Great speakers provide subwoofers and separate levels of surround sound.
9. Keyboard and mouse
Connected or wireless versions are offered. Be sure to get an optical mouse. They are much more reliable than a trackball mouse.
10. Media reader
These are regularly listed as 15 in 1 or 13 in 1 card or media reader. This gismo allows you to directly get data off of a estimate 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.
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