Before you run out and
buy a new computer, consider some rules of thumb that can help you
make the right choice.
Power Users
If
you are a "power user" or use sophisticated software for graphics,
databases, multimedia, or programming, then purchase the most
powerful system you can afford. Affordability is the key, so here is
a good rule of thumb: Invest the most in the features that will give
you the most benefit. Purchase add-ons only if you can afford to,
and only after your primary needs have been adequately addressed. In
other words, if you need a large monitor more than you need a Zip
drive, invest in the monitor first. If you have enough cash left
over to buy the drive, go for it. If not, you can always add one
later.
Will you work with large
or multiple applications? Then RAM and processing power are
important considerations. Look for a system with at least 128 MB of
RAM and the fastest processor you can afford. (We'll examine
processor choices later.)
Will you use large files,
such as book-size documents, a database, or graphics? Or, will you
need to store lots of different programs (such as multiple
productivity suites) on your disk at one time? If so, storage is a
primary concern. While most new computers feature hard drive
capacities of 10 GB or more, you should consider an even larger
drive or multiple hard disks. To preserve disk space, also consider
getting a high-capacity backup system, such as a tape drive or a
CD-Recordable drive. This will allow you to move data off your
primary storage device (the hard disk) and keep it free from
clutter.
Is cutting-edge
multimedia a requirement? Then your system needs a large monitor (at
least 17 inches), a high-speed graphics card with enhanced 3-D
capabilities, and a 32-bit sound card with high-quality speakers.
These enhancements are costly, but they can increase overall
performance when using multimedia-intensive products.
Do you plan to connect
your PC to a network or use a cable modem? If so, your new PC needs
a network card. Luckily, network cards are pretty inexpensive
(between $50 and $250, depending on your needs). But you still need
to allow for one in your budget. Here's another hint: Be sure to
find out exactly what kind of network card you need before buying
it. Your cable modem provider, for instance, may require you to use
a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet card, whereas a home network may require
something else.
Beginners or Casual
Users
If your needs are limited, consider buying a "budget"
system, many of which sell for less than $1,000. These systems can
easily be found in computer stores, department stores, and
mail-order outlets.
Budget systems offer
plenty of horsepower for desktop applications (usually by using a
slower-model Celeron or Duron, or even an older Pentium II). Today,
even the most basic home systems provide adequate RAM (64 MB, 98 MB,
or 128 MB), plenty of storage, a CD-ROM drive, a modem, and a
17-inch monitor. Fast video cards and stereo speakers system are
standard even on low-cost PCs.
For the true beginner or
the user with very simple needs (strictly word processing, for
example), a used computer may be the perfect solution. Early
Pentium- and Pentium II-class systems can easily be found for a few
hundred dollars. These older systems are perfectly adequate for
basic applications and can be upgraded in a variety of ways. In
fact, if you want to try your hand at upgrading, an inexpensive used
PC can be an excellent way to start.
Making an Informed
Choice
If you decide to purchase a new computer, feel
confident that you can make a fully informed choice before you buy.
A decade ago, consumers were on their own when it came to finding
the best PC for their needs, comparing features and prices, and
looking out for scams. Today, however, that has all changed. You can
easily find many sources of reliable, authoritative information and
reviews on all kinds of PCs and related hardware.
The easiest place to find
information and reviews is on the World Wide Web. The following
sites regularly feature product reviews and information on newly
marketed computer systems:
Many other organizations
post updated product reviews and announcements on their Web sites.
Click
here to visit Yahoo's Computer Product Reviews Web page to find
a complete list.
If you prefer to use
printed magazines rather than online versions (a good idea if you
want to carry information with you), a visit to any well-stocked
newsstand will pay dividends. Look for current editions of magazines
such as PC Magazine, PC World, Computer
Shopper, and others for the latest information on PC
technology.
While you're at it, don't
forget to check out some PC manufacturers, as well. At PC makers'
Web sites, you can find information about each company's newest
systems. Many PC makers will even help you order a computer online.
Here are the Web sites of just a few leading PC
manufacturers:
Many other computer
manufacturers host Web sites, filled with valuable information that
can help you shop for a system that is right for you. To find a
complete current list of computer makers on the Web, click
here to visit Yahoo's list of computer manufacturers.
Picking the Right
Processor
Today's computer shopper must make a choice that
simply was not an issue a few years ago. That is, what kind of
processor do you need? As recently as 1998, the question was
basically moot because most Windows-based PCs featured Intel
processors; only low-cost, low-performance systems used processors
from a different manufacturer such as Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
or Cyrix.
That has changed,
however, and buyers now have a wide selection of processor types,
including Intel's Pentium II, Pentium III, and Celeron processors,
as well as AMD's K-6, Athlon, and Duron CPUs, and others. Depending
on how much you want to pay, you can buy a middle-of-the road system
with a 600 MHz Celeron or a workstation-like 1 GHz Athlon with a 200
MHz bus. Today's processor lines are available in a variety of
speeds, as well, from 500 MHz at the slow end, up to 1 GHz at the
high end. Remember, too, that other features--such as RAM, cache
type and size, and bus configuration--can affect
performance.
But for the most part,
processor brand doesn't matter that much. Why? Because the ongoing
"processor wars" have resulted in chips of similar quality, speed,
and performance. So an 800 MHz Pentium III and an 800 MHz Athlon,
for instance, will turn in very similar performances when tested
side by side (as is commonly done by reviewers). Unless you are
concerned about tiny differences in speed, you're better off simply
to decide what general level of performance you need and then base
your decision on price.
Also, don't be fooled
into thinking that one brand of processor can do things that other
processors cannot. Once upon a time, there was a legitimate concern
that AMD processors could not run some types of software as well as
Intel processors. Newer-generation AMD processors, however, can run
anything an Intel processor can. If a salesperson tells you
something different, then you know he or she is simply trying to
sell one type of system.
For more information on
different processor lines, visit the following chip manufacturers'
Web sites:
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