by Ed Maglipon Jr.

Created on: August 08, 2009

There are many different models and configurations of computers in the market. It can be overwhelming for someone looking to buy a new computer. This is especially true for someone that is not tech savvy or has never bought a computer before. To help you make the right choice when it comes to buying a new computer, you should know 3 things: the basic components of a computer, your budget for a new computer, and your purpose for a new computer.

Before deciding to buy a new computer, you should know the basic components of a computer. When you know the basic components of a computer, you are able to compare the different configurations of computers in the market. The basic components are hard drive, RAM, and CPU.

The hard drive stores all of your data. Hard drives come in different sizes. Hard drives that have been recently manufactured are measured in gigabytes or GB. The number of gigabytes of a given hard drive can store the same number of gigabytes of data. For example, a 20 GB hard drive can store up to 20 GB of data.

RAM stands for random access memory. It is a single or a combination of small circuit boards that stores data temporarily. RAM is analogous to the work area of an office desk. The larger the worker area, the faster tasks can be completed. RAM is the working space for computer applications and data. Just like a hard drive, RAM size is also measured in gigabytes. The number of gigabytes of a particular RAM can hold the same number of gigabytes of data.

The CPU stands for central processing unit. This is the main microchip that executes computer programs. The CPU comes in different speeds. The CPU's speed is measured in gigahertz or GHz. As the number of gigahertz increases, the speed increases. For example, a 3 GHz CPU operates faster than a 2 GHz CPU. Since you now know the basic components of a computer, you can spot the differences from one computer to another. Now let's determine your budget for a new computer.

If money is the most important factor in choosing a computer, you should first set your budget. Once you know how much you are willing to spend on a new computer, you can shop around and compare different computers that fall within your budget. Computers are marketed in different price ranges. Computers in a particular price range will have similar components of similar specifications.

If you are buying a computer for a specific purpose, you should make sure to choose the right computer that will meet your needs. This is especially important if you need a computer to run a complex computer program. Usually, more complex applications require a computer that has a larger hard drive, larger RAM, and a faster CPU. To make sure that you buy the right computer for a specific application, refer to the system requirements of the particular application. Once you know the system requirements in terms of hard drive, RAM, and CPU, you can look for a computer that meets those requirements. This will ensure that you buy the right computer that will be able to run your specific application.

After you learn the basic components of a computer, you become an educated buyer. When you set your budget, you narrow down your choices of computers that fall within your price range. If you have a specific purpose for a new computer, you can zero in on the right computer that will meet your needs.

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