Obviously, if you are going to get into computers you need a computer, often simply called a 'pc'. In the past this also meant an IBM compatible computer, then later on it meant one that ran Windows. Nowadays, things are a little more complicated. For a start, there are computers that run Windows in its various flavours (XP or Vista), ones that run Mac software (Tiger or Leopard anyone?) and those that run Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, SUSE or BSD to name but a few)! So, its not as straightforward as you might think. Then you have the question of desktop, laptop, tablet, Ultra Mobile PC or any of the various devices that merge the mobile phone with computer-like capabilities. Once you have decided on the OS (operating software e.g. Windows, Mac or Linux) and type of pc (laptop or desktop for most of us) you then need to decide on the actual specification. This is mainly dictated by price... the more money you spend the more or better things you can buy. By this I mean the more memory (more means better performance.. think of it as muscle power), the bigger hard disk (storage for files), the faster processor (brain power) and the better graphics card (for driving the screen resolution and colours, but also relevant for playing games or video performance).
Also to consider are things like the software that comes with the computer, speakers, monitor (screen for viewing), keyboard and mouse (wired or wireless), as well as the size and weight of the actual hardware. Often forgotten are issues around technical support and warranty... free and for how long or at extra cost.
However, perhaps the most important question you should ask before purchasing a pc is what do you need it for? Its easy to let the smooth talking sales person persuade you that you need the latest, fastest, cleverest pc they have for sale but if it is over-specified you are wasting your money. So, ask yourself what do you really need it for and then ask yourself what will you need it to do in the next 18 - 24 months. Its important not to get something that is only just capable of meeting your needs today but which will soon struggle to do what you want it to after a year or so. However, be aware that almost any pc you buy today is more than capable of doing what you want it to do for months if not years in the future, as long as your needs are not going to dramatically change... such as emails and documents today, film editing or 3d animation tomorrow!
If you are unsure of the answers to all these questions, ask a friend whom you trust to help you decide or even better, try out a friend's pc and explore its capabilities. See if it does what you want from a pc and look for something similar. Bear in mind too how old their pc is.
If you are still struggling, its probably worth paying an expert to advise you first before committing yourself to an expensive purchase. Remember, the person trying to sell you a pc is less likely to give you independent advice than someone you are paying for advice. A cheap source of advice is computer magazines such as PC Pro, PCW, Computer Shopper and the like for Windows compatible computers, Mac User and MacWorld for Apple Mac and similar mags for Linux (usually with Linux in the title). Check out their reviews section and read what they say about actual computers available at the time.
These are magazines that cover computers and related topics. They are an excellent source of information which is unbiased and written by experts. In addition, their reviews of computers, software and peripherals (printers, scanners, external hard drives, monitors etc) include the technical testing in a 'lab' setting. Some of the reviews will include detailed charts of the performance etc of the equipment or software. All of them will give ratings ( 9 out of 10, 95% or 4 starts out of 5 etc). Though you can't directly compare the ratings given between magazines, by reading more than one you can gain a good idea of the suitability of a particular pc for your needs.
Remember too that each magazine has its own website and that they invariably make past reviews accessible online. So, its worth paying them a visit too. This is an almost free source of reliable and unbiased expert opinion. All it costs is the purchase of a few magazines or visiting a web site or two. You could even visit your local library and read the magazines for free or browse the web looking at these sites for free too these days.
The magazines rely on advertising for income (adverts actually subsidise the cover price), so you can also browse the various adverts from manufacturers and suppliers to get an idea of what is available in your price range and of any special offers available.
So, what next?
Well, now you have given some thought to the various options, read lots of reviews and looked at what's available in your price range, you should be able to make a short-list of potential purchases. It will be helpful to write all this down . Include your answers to the following questions:
1. What do I need a pc for?
2. How much can I afford?
3. Do I prefer Windows, Mac or Linux?
4. What software do I really need?
5. Do I need a printer, scanner, external monitor etc?
Having found the answers to these questions, not an easy task once you start out seriously looking, you are in a better position to draw up your short-list of specifications. This is where it starts to get even more complicated!
Your specification needs to cover the following:
1. Processor (brain of pc) - how fast (measured in GHz, which stands for giga-hertz)?
2. Intel or AMD (Intel chips are generally faster for the same money, at the moment but can change overnight)?
3. Memory (RAM) - how much?
4. Desktop or laptop (if you need to work away from home then laptop is required)?
5. Screen size (measured in inches diagonally across the screen) - the rule is, the bigger the better but also the more expensive, especially in laptops?
6. Keyboard - very important with laptops as you are stuck with it; at least with a desktop you can buy another keyboard relatively cheaply?
7. Warranty - the guarantee and its cost (if an extended warranty), plus its type (provided by the seller, manufacturer or an independent support company)?
8. Software - what comes free, what deals available at time of purchase etc?
9. Multi-media stuff, such as DVD playing performance, games capability (needs good graphics card), speakers (sound quality), connections (inputs and outputs) and number and type of optical drives (DVD writer, Blu-Ray etc)?
10. Wireless networking capability?
11. Last but not least, the OS (Operating System) - Windows, Mac or Linux?
These are the most important areas of specification you need to look at. It always helps if you can try out a pc before buying it, especially with laptops as the keyboard layout and the feel of the actual keys can vary so much. Pay attention too to the required peripherals such as monitor (with a desktop - laptops come with one). If you are going to use the internet then you may require wireless networking, particularly with a laptop, so does it come built-in or do you need to buy something else (wireless card, router etc.)?
Once again, if still not sure where to go from here, read some more reviews and talk to some more friends etc. just make sure you don't buy the first pc the sales person trys to sell you!
Next time, I will look at actual example of what you can buy for your money and what is available typically in various areas of need such as simple internet use and document preparation to sophisticated 3d animation, video-editing and web design.
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Contributor's Note
This is taken from my blog for beginners in computing - House of Innocence at http://house-of-innocence.blogspot.com/. I provide IT support and advice to individuals and business.
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