| This article will walk you through the choices you need | | | | 4. Memory |
| to make and provide guidance for what to choose. | | | | The most crucial factor in terms of computer |
| In order to answer this question properly, you need to | | | | performance is the amount of memory. When you |
| decide what type of user you are and what special | | | | buy computer memory, a minimum of a gigabyte of |
| needs you may have. Additionally, you need to | | | | high speed memory should be selected to support |
| determine how much you want to spend and whether | | | | today's demanding operating systems and programs. 2 |
| you would consider buying a used or refurbished | | | | gigabytes would be even better. |
| computer. | | | | If one is engaged in heavy duty graphics such as CAD |
| General Guidelines | | | | (Computer Aided Design) or 3D gaming, or if one is |
| As a general rule, my opinion is that one should get the | | | | doing heavy database access or number crunching, |
| most computer that they can afford without getting | | | | even more memory should be added. |
| the actual top of the line. | | | | 5. Hard Drive Size |
| Computer technology changes rapidly and today's | | | | Major manufacturers are offering drives with 250 |
| super fast and capable computer rapidly becomes | | | | Gigabytes of storage on their lowest end computers. |
| outdated. Unless you are interested in swapping your | | | | This should be more than enough for most users. |
| computer frequently, getting a very capable current | | | | 6. CD and DVD burner |
| computer should hold you for at least a few years. | | | | Drives that read and write to CDs and DVDs are |
| The very top of the line computer demands a | | | | cheap and you should specify read and write for both. |
| premium in price that is generally not worth it and one | | | | Don't accept CD read/write and DVD read only. |
| level below has at least 95% of the capability of the | | | | Blue Ray and HD DVD disks can hold up to 50 |
| top. | | | | gigabytes but the drives needed to use them are |
| If your budget doesn't allow for this solution, you need | | | | much more expensive than standard DVD drives. |
| to be aware of the tradeoffs in various choices that | | | | Standard DVD drives will run around $50 while Blue |
| you will have to make. | | | | Ray will cost around $600. |
| Computer type selection | | | | 7. Video card |
| You should first decide if you want a laptop or | | | | The type of card that you get depends on the type of |
| desktop computer. I've discussed the issues at length in | | | | activities that you are planning; |
| my article entitled Desktop or Laptop? The main | | | | 1. Basic user - word processing, internet browsing, email |
| question is if you have the need to be mobile even | | | | and DVD movies |
| though your computer will cost more and possibly | | | | The basic level card will suffice for this. It should have |
| have less capability. | | | | at least 128MB. 2 representative cards are the Nvidia |
| Depending on one's finances, you may opt for used | | | | 7300GT and ATI 1300XT. |
| computer or for a blowout special. Great savings can | | | | 2. Vista Aero User or light gaming, rich media, and |
| be achieved by taking this route. | | | | general entertainment |
| However, used computers present support challenges | | | | This capability requires mid level graphics power and a |
| and the risk of early breakdown. Low priced bargain | | | | card with at least 256 MB of its own internal memory |
| computers may be limited in ultimate capability and | | | | should be purchased. A sample card would be ATI |
| need to be carefully evaluated. I hope to discuss these | | | | HD2600XT |
| options in greater detail in a future article. | | | | 3. Edit and view photographs in brilliant color |
| Heavy duty 3D gaming is a whole new world and | | | | A mid level card should be used for this. One example |
| generally pushes current computer technology to the | | | | is the NVidia 8600GT, All cards from this level and up |
| limits with top of the line powerful and expensive units | | | | should have at least 256 MB. |
| and is out of the scope of this article. | | | | 4. Playback HD quality content |
| Component choices | | | | The card should have HDMI outputs to attach to |
| 1. Processor | | | | external displays. 2 possibilities are Nvidia 8600gt or |
| If money is not a pressing issue, single core computers | | | | ATI HD2600XT. |
| should not be purchased. Dual core processors are | | | | 5. 3D accelerated games in high definition player, CAD |
| more powerful and, for most users, any dual core | | | | (Computer Aided Design), video editing or high level |
| processor based computer should suffice for standard | | | | graphic design |
| activities such as word processing, email, browsing the | | | | 3D gaming makes the greatest demands on the |
| web, watching DVD's, doing one's finances and the | | | | computer's video systems and the sky is the limit here. |
| vast majority of other tasks. | | | | In general, the highest level card that your system will |
| If you need to do heavy database querying, | | | | accept will provide the most satisfying experience. |
| complicated mathematical computations and number | | | | The detailed options for each of these levels of |
| crunching or heavy encryption, you should get one of | | | | activity are described in my article Video Cards |
| the higher end processors. | | | | Demystified. |
| 2. Operating system | | | | 8. Sound and Speakers |
| Assuming a Windows PC, the choices are between | | | | The standard sound card offered by most |
| XP and Vista. Vista Service Pack 1 (a set of fixes to | | | | manufacturers is fine. If you have special requirements, |
| the known problems of the operating system) has not | | | | the major dealers describe the advantages of the |
| yet been officially released and the first service pack | | | | various upgrade offerings. |
| usually makes a big difference. My opinion is that if | | | | Speakers project the sound of your computer. Better |
| there is a choice, Vista should be avoided until SP1 is | | | | speakers provide subwoofers and different levels of |
| officially released. | | | | surround sound. |
| If you are very familiar with XP and don't want to | | | | 9. Keyboard and mouse |
| struggle with learning a new operating system or you | | | | Connected or wireless versions are offered. Be sure |
| have a program that is not supported on Vista yet, XP | | | | to get an optical mouse. They are much more reliable |
| can do everything you need and you can request it | | | | than a trackball mouse. |
| worry free if your vendor allows for this option. | | | | 10. Media reader |
| If you select Vista, at a minimum you should not get | | | | These are usually listed as 15 in 1 or 13 in 1 card or |
| Vista Home Basic but rather select Vista Home | | | | media reader. This device allows you to directly get |
| Premium. For maximum OS power, Vista Ultimate | | | | data off of a number of devices such as digital |
| should be chosen. The detailed options for Vista are | | | | cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and others. |
| outlined in my article Which Vista should I Use? | | | | 11. Modem |
| 3. Monitor | | | | If you want to send or receive faxes or connect to |
| A 17 inch monitor is probably the smallest that you | | | | the internet via a phone line where high speed internet |
| should settle for. You can select larger ones if you so | | | | may not be available, you will need a modem. |
| desire. Some monitors come with built in speakers if | | | | 12. Wireless network |
| that suits your needs. If you want your computer to | | | | If you plan to connect to a wireless network, you will |
| double as an entertainment center, you should consider | | | | need a wireless network card in your computer. |
| purchasing a high definition or plasma monitor. Dell has | | | | Standard network cards are built in. |
| an excellent summary of their choices here | | | | Best of luck with your purchase. |
| Dell Monitor Link | | | | |