Thursday, October 25, 2012

Tips for Buying a Computer

By Barb Diddle


The most important question to answer before you begin your new search is: What is your new computer going to be used for? Is your new computer going to be for home use and used for entertainment such as to search the web and email friends and family? If so, an entertainment PC should be able to handle all of your needs. If you are a gamer you will need a gaming pc and they can be a lot more expensive. They require powerful graphic cards and a good processor.

The next thing to consider is if you want a desk top machine or a laptop. Laptops are portable and use less electricity than desk top machines. If you decide to go with a laptop or desktop you want to consider the following:

You can choose two different screen sizes for a laptop. 15.6" or 17". The 15.6" screen is better for traveling but if you don't plan on traveling go with the larger 17" screen. If you decide on a desktop machine you will have a large selection of screen sizes. A desktop machine will allow you to hook up an additional monitor also.

Battery Power- you need a good battery. Check to see how many hours your machine will run without needing to be plugged in.

Processors- how fast is the processor and how much power will it consume from your battery? Most laptop processors are the same as desktops unless you go with a budget machine. Spend a little extra money and your machine will last longer.

Memory- Ram is short for Random Access Memory. This is the second most import feature for your computer. Ram is what processes the programs and information that your computer uses. You will want to purchase a machine with at least 4 GB of RAM.

Hard Drives- Your computer's hard drive is the storage space for your computers data and programs. Hard drives are rated by the gigabytes (GB). Get a computer with a large GB to be able to accommodate all data you want to store such as pictures, images, music, movies and programs.

The next decision is whether you want to purchase a PC which uses Microsoft interface or Apple. Graphic designers, artists and photographers usually prefer Apple due to the different interface and features. If you don't need special features that an apple uses you should be able to go with a PC that uses Microsoft.

For a good PC, check out the HP Envy series of computers They are sleek and have a few different screen sizes and even offer 3D. The Envy series also uses the Beats Audio system which lets you amplify the sound without having to use external speakers.

As you can see, there are a lot of options to consider before heading out to the store to purchase a new computer. Spend some time reviewing all of the options before you purchase. This will keep you from having buyer's remorse after the purchase.




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