Julie's computer tips and tricks. Volume 3
What do I buy? Or Hardware 101
I will be assuming some level of competence as you obviously were able to get to this page. If I use any terms you are unfamiliar with or if you feel lost please e-mail me immediately at so that I can fix it for everyone else.
Hardware
First, some basics. Hardware is the actual physical computer parts that run the programs that do what you want them to do (well most of the time). Software is the computer program that turns all those binary codes (zeros and ones) into things that human beings can actually understand, see and hear. (we are not yet to the stage where we can smell touch or taste software results)
I have a lot of people who ask, what kind of computer do I buy? When I use to ask this question I would invariably get the answer, "the most you can afford" which frankly wasn't of very much help. So here is the specifics of what I recommend you look for:
CPU, or Central Processing Unit, or Processor:
It is best to try and avoid systems with these processors unless you want to use a computer for the very basic functions such as word processing and general web browsing.
- AMD Athlon 64 (Socket 754)
- AMD Athlon XP
- AMD Duron
- Intel Celeron (Without the D Model Numbers)
- Intel Pentium 4 (non-Socket T)
- Intel Pentium III
The best overall value for your computing dollar. These are generally processors that used to be top of the line processors 6 to 9 months ago but now have hit that sweet spot in the price points from the manufacturers. While they are not the fastest processors on the market, they still perform very well in all aspects of computing. They may not have the total functional lifespan of the highest end processors, but the price to performance ratio tends to outweigh their longevity.
- AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ to 4600+ (Socket AM2)
- Intel Pentium D 900 Series
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 to E6700
Video Card:
Video cards change every 6 months, so selecting the right one is difficult. If you want to have future capability, go for a card that supports DirectX 9 and has at least 128MB of memory. If don't have to be on the cutting edge of video technology, there is a wide range of choices to fit your needs. Things to consider now on video cards are DVI connectors for digital LCD panels and multi-monitor support. New systems should use PCI Express graphics cards over the previous AGP interface.
For best to budget graphics cards if you don't watch movies or play games on your computer:
- NVIDIA GeForce 7900GS
- ATI Radeon X1650 Pro
- NVIDIA GeForce 7600GT
Memory (RAM):
RAM is important because if you don't get enough, your system won't run optimally. The minimum amount of RAM for today's systems should be 512MB even for budget systems. 1GB of RAM provides better performance. DDR memory is now used by all current systems with the most common being PC3200. DDR2 can be found on newer Intel systems. Budget systems may still use older PC2100 or PC2700 DDR. When buying memory, try to buy as few DIMMs as possible to allow for future memory upgrades if needed.
Hard Drives:
Hard drives boil down to capacity and speed. Most hard drives available now will provide you with more than enough storage. Look for 80 GB drive as the minimum.
Optical Drives:
Most systems sold now feature DVD burners, even the budget systems. It is best to make sure that you get a multiformat DVD burner that can support both the +R/RW and -R/RW formats. Speeds should be 16x for the recordable speed. Dual or Double Layer media support is also a common feature although less likely to be used due to media cost. If you don't need a DVD burner, try to at least get a CD-RW/DVD combo drive of 24x recording speed to allow for CD media storage and DVD playback.
External Connectors:
Many upgrades and peripherals to computers now connect through external interfaces instead of internal cards. Check to see how many and what type of external ports are available on the computer for use with future peripherals. Look for systems that have both USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 or FireWire ports. It should have at least six USB 2.0 connectors and one FireWire ports.
Monitors:
What good is a computer without a monitor? Consumers can choose between CRT or LCD monitors. CRTs provide a wide range of capabilities at a good price but are bulky. LCDs take up less desk space but cost more and have limited capabilities. Regardless of type of monitor, look at getting at least a 17" monitor capable of displaying a resolution of 1280 by 1024 pixels.
Specific to laptops:
Size and Weight:
Obviously the size and weight of a notebook is important. Ultraportables offer light weight and sizes but sacrifice items such as drives. Desktop replacements have equivalent power to desktop systems, but they are heavy and bulky making them difficult to carry around. When shopping for a laptop, make sure to pick up the systems and verify its something you are willing to carry. Don't forget to also consider the weight of accessories such as AC adapter when carrying around the notebook.
Networking:
The ability to connect to the net is integral to most notebooks today. Look for systems that include a built in 56Kbps modem and Fast Ethernet. With the rise of wireless networking, this is also found in most new notebooks. For the minimum amount of wireless connectivity, look at getting a notebook with 802.11b/g. Systems with an 802.11a/b/g will give you the most amount of connectivity.
Battery Life:
How good is a portable computer going to be if you are only able to get 30 minutes of computing time on a single charge? Try to find the manufacturer's listed battery life for the standard battery. Look to get a system with at least 2 hours of battery life under normal conditions. If you need extended time unplugged, look for laptops with media bays that can double as extra battery slots or have extended life batteries that can be purchased.
For more information visit www.about.com and search for your specific question
