So you're going to buy a new computer. Congratulations! Your new computer will give you years of enjoyment and productivity, and, used correctly, will allow you to do things that you never dreamed you could do.
There are some questions, however, that you want to ask yourself before buying that new toy. These questions, and the answers that you provide, can guide you to buying the very best computer for you that will be your friend and companion for many moons to come.
First, and most important, what do you want to use your computer for? This question, more than anything else, will make a difference in what you purchase, and how well it will suit your needs.
The truth is, many computer retailers will want to sell you the latest and greatest computer on the market, with all the bells and whistles available to humanity today. "This computer" they will joyously proclaim, "will play every game imaginable, balance your checkbook with no input from you, and even make your coffee and wash your car on the weekends!"
But do you really need all those features?
A good definition of a good computer is a computer that does what you want it to do, when you want it to do it, and does it fast enough that you don't become frustrated with the computing experience.
When building a system for a client, the first question I ask is, "What do you want to do with your computer?" If the answer is that they simply want to write letters and surf the internet, I know that I can build them a much less expensive computer. Basic computer tasks, such as word processing, internet surfing, and light photo editing do not require the most powerful CPU or graphics card. They can usually get along just fine with a less powerful CPU, and the integrated graphics and sound capabilities already included on the motherboard. This alone will greatly reduce the cost of your new computer.
On the other hand, if you wish to play the latest and greatest games, your computer will require a faster processor, preferably a duo or quad core CPU that can process instructions much more quickly. You will want at least a 2 GHz processor, and at least 2 Gigabytes of RAM (memory). You will want a relatively powerful graphics card with at least 256 megabytes of video RAM, or more preferable, 512 megabytes. You will also want the largest hard drive you can afford, preferably no smaller than 250 Gigabytes. If your computer will be running Windows Vista, the best policy is; the more the merrier! All of these additional options will, of course, add to the cost of your new computer.
So, remember; if all you want to do is the very basic computer tasks, less can be more, as long as you don't dip too low into the computer hierarchy. There is such a thing as too slow, even with basic computing tasks, but most new computers, even the lowliest of them, will have plenty of horsepower to work with. But, if you want to play games or do other CPU and GPU intensive tasks such as video editing, more is more! The more the merrier, as they say.
Second, do you want a desktop computer, or a laptop?
A desktop computer is the type of computer most of us remember was the typical computer not too many years ago. It consists of the tower, (the case which holds the electronic "parts"), a monitor, either a big, heavy CRT or a thinner and lighter LCD, and a separate keyboard and mouse. A desktop computer typically sits in one place in the house or office, and is rarely, if ever, moved to another location.
A laptop, on the other hand, is a smaller, self contained computer, which has, all in one piece, the case, the monitor, and the keyboard and mouse. There are smaller and less powerful laptops meant for simple office type tasks, and there are bigger, heavier laptops meant as desktop replacements, and sometimes as home entertainment computers. Again, the defining question is what you would want to use this computer for.
So, which would you chose?
If you intend to use your computer only at home or in one office, and you have no reason to move it around, and if you want the ability to perform future upgrades on your computer to make sure it has all the latest bells and whistles, then a desktop system may be best for you. Desktops also tend to be a little more powerful than laptops, although that gap is slowly but surely closing.
On the other hand, if you're an on-the-go kind of person who goes from class to class, or travels for business purposes and needs to take your computing power with you, or even if you just want the sexy sleek look, then perhaps a laptop may be best for you. Remember, however, that laptops, except for some specific models, are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to upgrade, and what you see today will be what you see two or three years from now. Laptops also tend to lag behind in terms of speed and graphics and sound capabilities. If these are not large concerns to you, then a laptop may be the answer.
Third, do you want a PC, or a Mac?
Recently, we've probably all seen the "I'm a PC/I'm a Mac" commercials on TV. The commercials try to highlight the differences between a PC and a Mac, with a little humor thrown in on the side.
Generally speaking, a PC is a computer that runs Microsoft Windows. Of course, it can also run other operating systems, such as Linux or UNIX, but for the most part, Microsoft Windows still rules the roost. PC's are made by many different manufacturers, but in the long run, they pretty much do the same things.
The Mac is made solely by the Apple Corporation, and runs a completely different operating system, although the latest Macs can also run Windows as well. PC's, on the other hand, cannot run the Mac operating system, at least not yet. If you buy a Mac, you can be assured that it will be functionally the same as any other Mac of the same generation, as they are all made by Apple.
What's the difference between the two? PC's, in general, because they run Windows, the dominant operating system in the computing world, have a great deal of programs available, which do a great many different tasks. Because more people use Windows, more software developers write for Windows, which means more choices for the average consumer. PC's are also the computer of choice for game playing, as most game titles are not available for the Mac. On the other hand, PC's can be harder to maintain than a Mac, especially for someone who is new to computing. Honestly speaking, there are more ways to "break" a PC at the software level than there are for a Mac.
Macs, on the other hand, tend to do fewer things, but do them exceptionally well. Macs work wonderfully for general tasks such as word processing and internet surfing, and excel in tasks such as music production or video editing. Macs also usually come with most of the software you'll ever need pre-installed, while on PC's, you may have to purchase additional software. Macs are also perhaps less intimidating than a PC, because you'll find it hard to "break" something, and, as an added bonus, Macs are less prone to virus attacks, because less people use Macs than PC's.
So which is best for you?
If you're comfortable with the idea of purchasing and installing new software, and you are able to do a little "tinkering" with the PC's hardware and software, you want a greater variety of programs to choose from, and you are an avid gamer, than the choice is fairly clear; you're a PC.
But if you want something that "just works" right out of the box, don't have a lot of specialized software needs, focus mainly on basic computer tasks or music and video editing, and don't want to worry about viruses or maintenance utilities, and confine your gaming to the board games or the 360, then perhaps you're a Mac.
Whether you go with a basic setup for basic needs or the most streamlined, revved up model you can find; whether you go with a desktop or a laptop; or whether you go with a PC or a Mac, your new computer can be a friend and companion for years to come. Before buying that new Dream Machine, take a few minutes to ponder these three questions, and your computer buying experience will be a smooth and enjoyable ride.
Happy computing!