A computer is a very complicated device. From hardware to software, there is just too much to know before you can make a decision. I hope the guidelines here will help to clear up some of the confusion.

The very first consideration is the person you are buying it for. Have they ever used a computer before? What will they be doing with the computer? For someone who has never used a computer before, the learning curve is quite steep.

I could probably classify most people into two categories of users: simple and complex (I have tendency of classifying just about everything I talk about into these two categories). A simple user is one who will be using the Internet and email, creating documents and spreadsheets, and listening to music. They might even play online games. A complex user will tend to install a lot of software for specific uses intense gaming and/or graphics, editing music and/or movies, or programming.

Let's consider the software aspect first. If the person has never used a computer before and is a simple user, I would go with Dell. They have recently begun selling computers with Ubuntu, a Linux-based operating system. Compared to Windows, Ubuntu is far superior in terms of ease of use and cost of software (most of the software is free).

For the complex user, either a Mac or a PC is the way to go. Mac's are great because they are easier to use, and would be the choice for someone interested in desktop publishing or image editing. PC's are better only because there is more software available for a variety of interests.

In either case, a Linux (Ubuntu) or Mac is more secure from viruses than a PC.

Now let's consider the hardware aspect. The two most important considerations in terms of performance are RAM and FSB. RAM is Random Access Memory. This is used to actually run the programs. Significant increases in performance can be obtained simply by adding RAM. FSB is Front-Side Bus. This is used to transfer data among the components (hard drive, CPU, sound card, CD drive, monitor, etc). The faster the FSB is, the better the programs will run. Most users will never utilized more than 20% of the processor's resources, so a faster processor is not helpful (in most cases).

To summarize:

If the person is a simple user, I have two suggestions. First, know the person who will be using it and what he/she will be doing with it. Second, look for a lot of RAM and a fast front-side bus most everything else is secondary.

If the person is a complex user, I would suggest giving them a gift certificate, as they probably have a better idea of what they need/want in a computer.

Learn more about this author, Joe Sweeney.
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