Desktop Computers Buying Guide

Desktop Computers Buying Guide				making sure that your operating system matched the
				OS of your coworkers and friends. Mac computers
Desktop computers might not be as flashy as laptops				seem to be stronger with video editing and other types
these days, but the larger, stationary computers still				of multimedia applications; Windows computers have
provide plenty of power and value for your money.				long been the choice of the business world. One thing
Laptops might be flashier, but a good desktop				to keep in mind: Because Windows computers are
computer still provides a few things that a laptop never				more plentiful, software and hardware makers tend to
can, such as an easy-to-upgrade system. When				focus more of their products and attention on the
shopping for a desktop computer, it's important to				Windows market. Essentially, it's tough to go wrong
focus on these categories: Accessories, cost, display,				with either type of operating system.
future needs, operating system, and usage
expectations.				Usage Expectations
				Knowing how you expect to use the computer will
Accessories				help you when shopping. For example, if you want a
One of the best things about a desktop computer is				smaller desktop with some portability options, you
the wide variety of accessories you can use with				might want to choose a small-form-factor (SFF)
them. Most computers now include drives for burning				computer. It won't offer the expandability of a
DVDs and CDs; if you want an older floppy disk drive,				full-tower desktop case, but it does offer an
you might have to add it later, as very few new				advantage in smaller size and lower weight. If you
computers include such drives. If you plan on doing a				want to use the unit for high-end gaming, you'll need a
lot of digital photography or digital video work, you'll				high-end graphics card and a powerful, more
want to make sure the desktop has all of the				expensive unit. If, however, you mainly want to use the
connectors you need, whether it be FireWire or				desktop computer for E-mail and the Internet, you
memory card slots. Finally, most desktops have				probably can survive with a low-cost unit.
Ethernet cards now, but some don't have dial-up
telephone jacks; if you need a dial-up modem, make
sure the desktop model you choose has one.				If you find yourself frustrated over the technical jargon
				you encounter when shopping for a computer, you just
Cost				need to keep a few things in mind. First, the CPU, or
Desktop computers range from a few hundred dollars				central processing unit, is the brains of the computer
to a few thousand dollars, depending on the				and is one area that you cannot upgrade easily later.
components and features included. Before you begin				Buy the fastest, most powerful processor you can
researching desktops, you'll want to make sure you				afford. Second, don't be swayed much by the items
set a realistic budget ... and then stick to it, no matter				and software bundled with the computer. For most
how tempted you are by some of the high-end				people, the bundled items aren't going to meet their
models. If you're looking to cut some corners on costs,				needs. Focus on the items you want and need. Third,
you can save money by choosing a model with a				buy an external backup hard drive system ... and use it.
low-end graphics card, as long as you aren't planning				After all, your personal data is more valuable than any
to use the desktop for extensive video editing or				other part of your computer.
gaming. Two areas where we would not recommend
trying to skimp and save money are with the				Finally, be sure you have firewall and anti-virus
processor and the hard drive. Purchasing the fastest				protection on your computer, especially if it will be
processor and the biggest hard drive that will fit into				connected to a high-speed (broadband) Internet
your budget will give your desktop computer the				connection. Without strong protections, your computer
greatest longevity. Finally, even if you're looking to save				will be a target for hackers. If you are unsure about
a lot of money, it's tough to recommend buying a used				how to set up protection, make sure you purchase the
computer; new desktop computers can be found very				computer from a local store that can provide help for
inexpensively these days, and you'll have the full				a fee. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially when
warranty option.				your personal data is at risk.

Display
Depending on the desktop computer you choose, you				Comparison chart Low-end desktop
could end up spending more on the display than on the				computer High-end
computer itself. Large LCD screens offer great image				desktop computer
quality, flat screens, wide-screen capabilities (16:9				Typical cost
aspect ratio), and lightweight units. However, LCDs are
more expensive than the traditional CRT computer				less than
monitor. CRTs don't offer wide-screen capabilities, and				� more than €1,000
they are extremely bulky and heavy units. But they				Strong at video editing
provide good-looking images, and you'll save some
money versus LCDs. Big displays are very handy for
those who do a lot of video editing or gaming, or for				� Yes
those who need multiple windows open at one time. If				Strong at gaming
you are going to choose an LCD monitor and you plan
to watch movies or play games -- anything with
high-speed action -- be sure you select a monitor with				� Yes
a low response time to avoid blurry motion problems.				Strong at photography
When shopping, be sure to know whether the desktop
model you're choosing includes a display unit with the
bundle. Most stores now sell desktops and monitors				� Yes
separately.				Strong at Internet usage

Future Needs
Adding items to a laptop can be difficult, but desktops				� Yes
are made for upgrading and additions. And, as long as				Strong at E-mail
your computer has plenty of USB connectors, adding				�
new accessories is pretty easy. When you make the				� Yes
initial purchase of your desktop, stick to your budget,				Strong CPU power
even if you can't afford all of the accessories you
want initially. You always can add components and
features to the desktop computer at a later date.				� Yes
				Strong graphics power
Operating System
When purchasing a computer, you'll typically have two
choices for an operating system, Windows or				� Yes
Macintosh. (If you're a fan of Linux, you always can				Windows options
add that operating system later.) Several companies
manufacture Windows-based computers, which tends
to make them less expensive than Mac computers, of				� Yes
which Apple is the primary manufacturer. Windows				Macintosh options
computers are used in far greater numbers worldwide
than Mac computers. However, with so much file
sharing done via the Internet or via CDs or DVDs, you				�
aren't as limited as you were several years ago by				Yesfull article at pricecy.

Galaxy Tech

Desktop Computers Buying Guide