QuickOverview

How to Buy a Computer

Buying a computer can be daunting, especially if you don.t know all the technical jargon associated with the technology. Lots of salespersons at retail electronics stores are very knowledgeable but that.s not a guarantee . and sometimes you only find out when it.s too late.

The most important thing to remember is that there is no .best computer,. the best computer for you depends on your budget and how you plan to use it. This article discusses the various configuration options for you.

Notebook vs. Laptop vs. Desktop

Laptops and notebooks are portable computers with a self contained screens and keyboards. Notebooks are smaller, lighter, less powerful, and generally more expensive than laptops because of their extra portability, however, there is no clear way to distinguish between these two categories since it is more or less a marketing differentiation. Meanwhile, desktops have external keyboards, a mouse, and most have a monitor that is apart from the main part of the computer. Though desktops are not portable, they will give you more power for a lower price.

If taking your computer on the road is important to you and for the most part you want to read email and browse the internet, you should consider a notebook. If you need to move around the house with your computer but not necessarily travel, then a laptop could be better. If you care more about getting the best deal with not having a portable computer, go with a desktop.

Standard PC vs. Apple/Mac

Another major choice you have is whether to buy a PC (formerly known as an IBM Compatible) or an Apple/Macintosh. Devoted fans of each technology consider this a religious argument, and the truth is each has its own advantages for different types of users. Since PC.s are cheaper and compatible with more software and peripheral devices and network gear, they are the best choice for most users. However Apple.s ability to edit video and perform advanced image and sound processing has found the company a solid niche among some professionals. Many artists, musicians, and other multimedia professionals are better served by Apple computers.

Memory

The memory of your computer is important to make your applications run crisply, it is represented by the amount of RAM the computer will have and it is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB.) If it bothers you when your email or web browser takes too long to open or close, or if you are bothered by slowness when you open too many windows, then you want to pay more for extra memory. At the time this article is written in late 2005, 256MB is the standard amount on bargain computers while the high end models sometimes carry 1000MB or 1GB of RAM.

Hard Drive

Hard drive space has become very cheap, and the result is that even low end computers come with plenty of disk space. Hard drives are measured as a measure of gigabytes (GB.) The only way you will fill up your hard disk is if you store thousands of digital pictures, music files or if you fill your computer up with hours and hours of home videos. If that is not you, don.t worry too much about hard disk space, otherwise, learn more about your intended use and make sure your hard drive will handle it.

CPU

What is CPU!? The acronym is for Central Processing Unit and it is measured in gigahertz (GHz.) If you want to play the most advanced games or do advanced home video editing, you should buy a fast CPU, but you will pay a lot for it. If you are a light gamer or plan to use the computer for email, web browsing, and productivity applications, the best idea is to get a computer with a middle of the road processor.

By the way, if you are a gamer, make sure you buy a very good graphics card as well.

Get Connected

Nowadays, your computer is basically useless until it is connected to the internet. Also, don.t waste your time with dialup internet access. Broadband (Cable and DSL) is very cheap now ($20 per month and below) and it has huge advantages over dial-up. Cable access is a bit more expensive, but has proven to be faster and more reliable. DSL will give you the best deal and is sufficient for most web browsing and email needs.

If you get a laptop or notebook, it is recommended that it come with both a built in wireless card and a LAN port. That will let you connect in public internet access areas as well as hook it up to your broadband router/modem. Don.t worry about getting a modem on the laptop. Even hotels now mostly have broadband access.

Related Sites

MyTechSupport.ca - Your Computer Technical Support & Resource Headquarters!

Suggested Systems

Related Sites

Computers - new & recertified discount computers, computer software, printers
Online shopping mall for new, refurbished and recertified computers. Buy complete computer systems, components, computer kits, computer games, dvd software, memory upgrades, virus protection and digital cameras and more.