From the November/December 2007 Newsletter
Basic Users:
For many people the computer is just for getting their email, going on the internet to surf, or maybe their kids doing homework. If you fit into this category then you don't need an expensive PC. A new computer in the $350 to $700 range will serve you well for the next 5 years.
Advanced PC Users:
Do you want to do more with your computer then the basics? Such as downloading and editing your home movies from your camcorder, or have your kids playing the latest killer games? You need to look at more sophisticated computers. These computers are going to run you anywhere from $650 to $1,900 aprox. High end game machines for Kids can go as high as $3000. Even $4000 for the latest Alienware gaming PCs if your a game addict.
Should you buy Windows Vista or Windows XP?
All new computers sold at the stores now come installed with Microsoft Windows Vista as the operating system. You will not find anything else sold on the store floors. It replaced Windows XP back at the beginning of the year. Be aware that Windows Vista has some issues with compatibility with older software and hardware. Like your old printer or your old favorite word processor, these might not work on the new Vista PC. Its mostly due to the manufacturer of your old stuff. If their not making updates to the software needed to run that old printer or word processor on Vista then your out of luck. So be prepared for problems. Some people may want to look at buying Windows XP if this becomes a major issue, but 90% of you won't need to go that route. In my opinion it is better in most cases to keep up with new trends. Don't get stuck behind with old stuff that is not going to be compatible with your future purchases. A year or two from now when you want that new camera that only works with Windows Vista you may feel sorry. You would have been better off buying a new printer to go with Vista instead of the other way around. Trying to make your computer fit your old printer by buying Windows XP is not the best solution.
For the basic user you should go with Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Home Premium. The Advanced PC user should go with Windows Vista Home Premium which includes tools for multi-media. The Vista Home Premium version replaces Microsoft's Media Center 2005.
If you think your in the 10% that should go with Windows XP, take a look at this article from PCWorld, dated Sept 28, 2007. "XP Reprieve: Microsoft Gives OEMs Five More Months Microsoft had planned to stop selling XP through OEMs and retailers on Jan. 31, 2008, while custom system builders have until Jan. 31, 2009, to pre-install XP on machines. But because sales of Vista PCs have not been as strong as expected, OEMs and retailers have asked Microsoft to extend XP's availability. OEMs and retailers will now have until June 30, 2008, to sell PCs with "XP" preinstalled on machines, Microsoft said. Retailers also can sell XP out of the box until that time if they choose, the company said. In fact, some PC makers are selling Vista-equipped systems with an XP Pro recovery disc to those who request one so that it can be used in case the purchaser isn't happy with the new Microsoft OS." To see the full article go to - http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,137826/article.html
Buying a Used PC vs. New
Don't buy a used computer, I don't recommend them anymore. In fact, I stopped selling used computers almost two years ago when the cost of buying a used PC compared to a new one (with a rebate or on sale) became so very close in price. Now days you can get a brand new PC with a printer and monitor included for free (with rebates!) for not much more then the price of a used computer. You might spend an extra $100 in comparison, but its well worth it if you don't have a problem with running Vista. One reason you might want to buy a used PC is if you need a Windows XP machine, beyond that I don't see much advantage.
What do I need "inside" my PC?
The Processor
The processor is the brains of your computer. It does the real work.
In the past it was all about speed!!!!! You use to buy a computer based on how fast it was (for example 3.4GHz). Not anymore! Today its all about the number of processors that are squeezed into one chip (called multi-core processors). As they say, two heads are better than one. Two processors both running at 2GHz is faster then one processor running at 3GHz. So look for thewords Dual Core, Core Duo, Core Quad (4 processors!!) , or X2 . These are multi-core processors and that is what you want. Don't buy a single core processor (for example Pentium 4 - 3GHz, or AMD Sempron 3800+) , unless you are a very basic user and are not concerned with longevity. Current and future software out there is being written to take advantage of these extra processing cores. Most new desktop processors now run between 2GHz and 3GHz (they have dropped in speed). Just look for any processors that are over 2GHz and you will be ok. Intel processors are faster and better than AMD. Go with Intel if you are an Advanced PC user. Take a look at the Intel Core Duo or Core Quad. Basic users can go with AMD. AMD's Athlon 64 and Sempron, are cheaper. For the non-Video tasking, or non-gaming PCs, you won't need the extra processing power of the Intel.
The System Memory
If the processor is like the brains of your computer, then the System Memory is like its short term memory. This is where the programs that you are currently working on get stored while you are working on them. The more system memory you have, the more programs you can have open and running at the same time. Windows Vista needs lots and lots of memory just for itself, so don't be skimpy.
I see some cheap PCs out there with only 512MB of RAM running on a Windows Vista Machine, beware! For the Basic PC user you can get away with 512MB on Vista. for a little while, but you will have to upgrade the memory in a couple of years for sure. Also note that you do not get some of the eye candy features that come with Vista, such as Aeros on 512MB machines. The Aeros feature, with its see through windows, is disabled on Vista machines running only 512MB of RAM. Windows Vista really requires 1GB or more of RAM for it to fully work properly, so you might want to have them add an extra 512MB to the machine before you take it home. I advise for Vista, 1GB for Basic PC Users and 2GB - 4GB of RAM for the Advanced PC User.
If you are getting Microsoft Windows XP, then you will want 2GB for the Advanced PC User, and 1GB for the Basic PC User. Windows XP can't do anything with more then 2GB so don't waste your money beyond that.
Video/Graphics Card
The Graphics Card is what makes your computer see the world in its richest full colors.
For the Basic PC User this is not as important an issue as it is for the Advanced Power PC User. Basic users can get away with onboard graphics built into the motherboard, it helps keep the cost down. With Vista Machines they need 256MB of memory on the graphics card (or shared system memory) to fully work properly. Most machines out there now are ok on graphics for the Basic User.
For the Advanced PC User, look for a graphics card that comes separate from the motherboard, and with its own memory, not shared system memory. Look for 256MB - 800MB of onboard graphics memory. For heavy video editing and high end Gaming PCs its important to look for the most memory onboard you can afford.
Hard Drive
For the Basic User anything out there is going to be ok. I would not worry about the hard drive.
For the Advanced PC User, if you are going to be doing video editing, or storing TV or Movies, then the more the better. A minimum of 300GB is ok for just video editing, but go with 500GBs or more to store Movies and TV shows. Don't forget that those high definition movies take more space! Don't plan on saving a lot of these with a small hard drive. The newest hard drives out there are now 1TB. (That's 1 Tera Byte, which is equal to 1000GB [Giga Bytes]) and you will need it to store very many of these big high def babies.
PC Brand
There is no clear favorite these days. I use to suggest Dell, but it has been slipping down hill till its the same as the others now I suggest going by price and sales/rebates now, more then the brand when choosing. The top PC builders (Dell, HP, Gateway, Lenovo) are all about the same, but if I had to choose, I would go with HP first, then Dell, and then Gateway last for home users. For business users I would go with Lenovo (IBM), then Dell, then HP and lastly Gateway.
Don't know what the heck I just said? That's OK. You can call me before you buy, and I will help you go over it. There's no charge for the phone call. If you want me to go with you to help you pick one out, call me.
