How to choose and buy a new computer
From ArticleWorld
Buying a new computer is often a difficult task. The problem often comes because you want to replace an old computer that cannot keep the pace, but you are confused when choosing the components. Here are the steps you should take when choosing a system:
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Steps
- Decide what you will do with the new computer. If you will use it for games, it will be aimed at powerful multimedia capabilities. If you just want to write reports, an ergonomic keyboard and an eye-easy LCD display are more important. If it will be a file server, you need high storage capacity, and so on.
- Decide how you will get it. If you do not have the knowledge (and do not want to learn either), buy a pre-assembled computer. Otherwise, you can save some money by buying the components separately and assembling them yourself.
- Decide what operating systems you want to run on it. Windows will probably run on any x86-based computers, but other operating systems may not, or may do it better. If you will use a Unix system, you can go for SCSI support, as long there are good drivers available.
- Think about the peripherals you need. If you have a good monitor laying around, you need not spend money on a system that comes with one.
- Go for some minimum specs. Although you may not need much power, a 486 computer will no longer do. A 1.4 GHz CPU, 256 MB of RAM and a 40 GB hard drive should be the minimum to go for. If you want to watch films, get a DVD-ROM at least.
- Make sure you do not spend money on useless parts. Some systems may optionally come with a card reader, for example. If you do not need one, do not buy it. If something is mentioned to be "optional" and you do not know what it does, feel free to ask.