How to Buy a Desktop PC
When buying a Desktop PC, you still need to make some choices when it comes to CPUs, memory, hard drive capacity and graphics technology. The good news is your money has never gone further.
Does your PC take so long to start up you have time to go get a cup of coffee-and drink it? Tried installing the latest game only to find out your graphics card is six generations too old to play it? Or maybe you just want to take advantage of the speed and reliability of operating systems like Microsoft Windows 7 and Snow Leopard. If any of these are true, then it is time for you to buy a new desktop PC. And we can help you do it.
Prices for desktop PCs start as low as $250 and range all the way up to $5,000, but most of us would be more than happy with an $800 box. You still need to make some choices when it comes to CPUs, memory, hard drive capacity and graphics technology, but the good news is your money has never gone further. And a PC you buy today could very well last you for four to six years.
The Nettop Option
If all you want to do is surf the Web, run Office apps, and do very light computing duties, you should consider a nettop. Nettops belong to a desktop category that comes in below the $400-500 value desktop categories, both in price and capabilities. Nettops run on the same basic components that netbooks do: low-powered single- or dual-core processor like the Intel Atom, AMD Neo, or some of the low-powered AMD Athlon X2 processors; non-upgradable integrated graphics; 512MB to 2GB of RAM; smaller hard drive; no optical drive; and Windows XP, Windows 7 Starter/Home Basic, or Linux operating system.
Some all-in-one nettops have a built-in screen and still can be bought for less than $500. You'll also see quite a few nettops aimed at the home theater crowd. They work well in a living room because they're silent (no fans); have wireless keyboards and/or mice; and often have HDMI ports for connecting to HDTVs. They're one of the easiest way to get IPTV services like Hulu and YouTube on your HDTV in the living room, plus you can comfortably surf the Web from your couch on a nettop with a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Mid-priced Desktop PCs
Sub $600 PCs used to be the bargain basement for desktops, but now they're the norm. You should be able to find a system that has a dual-core processor and at least 2GB of RAM for under $600 with an LCD monitor. The dual-core processor will help with the increasingly complex tasks that even casual users expect of their PCs. These include converting video from one format to another (so you can view it on your cell phone, for example), or light photo editing like removing red eye, cropping, or even recomposing the layout of a picture by adding missing people or changing colors in a shot.
A Pentium dual core or AMD Athlon X2 processor should fit the bill, but you can upgrade to a faster Core 2 Duo, Core i3/i5, or Athlon II X2 if you want to get tasks done quicker. Windows 7 Home Premium and DVD burners prevail in this price range and are wise investments. Many come with hard drives of substantial capacity (250GB to 320GB). Many of these PCs still come in minitower cases, but the sexier ones come in small form factor cases, ultra small form factors, or better yet, mini PC form factors. These cases take up much less room on your desk than a traditional minitower, and are just as functional as their larger counterparts. Plus, a good value PC should easily last you the next four to six years.
Multimedia and Gaming Desktops
This is where the multimedia mavens and power users shop. Look for a PC with a quad-core processor or high-speed (more than 2.6 GHz) dual core processor, so you can edit your photos and videos quickly and easily. Don't settle for less than 4GB to 8GB of memory and a 500GB or larger hard drive. Quad core processors make like the Intel Core 2 Quad, Core i5/i7, and AMD's Phenom X4 and Phenom II X4 are the CPUs to look for in this category. If your multimedia projects are for paying clients instead of just personal photos and videos, then look for a faster processor and more memory so you can meet your deadlines quickly.
Systems in the multimedia and gaming categories are generally more expandable than SFF PCs or nettops: you can add one or more hard drives for additional storage, one or more graphics card for faster 3D applications, and one or two optical drives so you can burn DVDs or Blu-ray discs for your friends and relatives. Last but not least, PCI and PCIe card slots let you add wireless networking (WiFi), TV tuners, and other cards for additional interfaces like FireWire 800 or eSATA.
Gamers have their own buyer's guide here on PCMag.com, but suffice to say that fans of 3D games require a little more power from their systems than the average user. Look for higher-powered discrete graphics from makers like Nvidia and ATI if you're in the market for a system to primarily play games on.
All in One PCs
An all in one PC will almost always have a screen that's bigger than the ones on those bulky laptops. All in one PCs work equally well on tiny desks in cubicles or small studio apartments. You'll find screens sizes from 15 inches up to 27-inch behemoths and beyond. The Apple iMac is the trend leader, but systems like the Lenovo B500, MSI Wind Top, Gateway One, and HP TouchSmart PCs merit closer looks too. Touch screens are much more usable because of Windows 7's built in touch capability, and the touch interface makes sense for a desktop with a built-in screen. An all in one desktop (or any desktop for that matter) works well as a "base station" for an iPod/iPhone/iPad/Zune or even a cheaper netbook. Picture this: use the netbook or iPad for surfing around the house and checking your Facebook, then use the desktop in your room to do the photo editing and video editing you need to do for your business presentation or for the online family photo album.
Beware Bloatware
There is a downside to cheaper PCs: the specter of bloatware . Like broadcast TV and "free" cell phones, one of the reasons why the PCs are so cheap is because some other entity is subsidizing the low prices. The PC manufacturers ship their PCs with those Microsoft, Intel, or AMD stickers on the case, and there's almost always a copy of Microsoft Office 2007 60-day trial on the hard drive. Companies like eBay and Wild Tangent also get prominent placement with shortcuts on the desktop and extra programs in the Start menu. See my rant against bloatware/crapware here for more details.
Word to the wise: When you're trying to save money, it's tempting to buy the cheapest PC you can find-but don't do it. If it doesn't have these recommended parts, you'll wind up with something that is super slow or, worse yet, unusable within a year. That "incredible buy" may cost you more money in the long run.
Tips On Buying A CPU / Processor
INTRODUCTION
Processor is considered the brain of the computer. The CPU fetches instructions of program from main memory and executes them one by one. The speed of the CPU is measured in Mega Hertz or Giga Hertz and speed from 500 MHz to 3.4 GHz, it depends upon a user needs, that is why purchasing a processor is an important consideration when building or buying a computer. There are several considerations and additional information about what to ask and look for when purchasing a processor directly or already installed into a computer.
TYPE
The type of the processor can be very important consideration for users who are building a computer. The main thing in processor is the compatibility with the motherboard, Because the processor chip is plugged into the motherboard. Today there are many processor manufacturers AMD, Motorola and Intel. Final decision to buy a processor depends upon user need for example a home or basic user can buy Intel Celeron or AMD processor. If you can afford then must go for latest processor if you want your computer to retain functionality for four to six years. When considering any of the above companies product ensure that a motherboard that is compatible with that product is also purchased. For example if an Intel motherboard is purchased or currently installed into the computer you will want to consider an Intel Processor.
Tips For Buying A Hard Drive
Introduction of Hard Disk
Today hard disk is most commonly used storage device in personal computers and laptop computers. Mostly application program and operation systems require hard disk for installation and operation. That is way it is very important to verify When purchasing a hard disk drive, this hard disk drive is suitable for your uses and has or does not have the options you may or may not need.
Interface of the hard disk
There are many types (interface) of hard disks available in the market for example IDE/ATA,SCSI,External hard drive. That is why first decide your need is internal or external hard drives. When looking to purchase a hard disk drive the first it is important consideration is the Interface the hard disk drive uses to communicate with the computer .
• IDE/ATA This type of hard disk is used with IBM compatible computers, and very easy to install in a computer. Each IBM computer has the availability for a maximum of four IDE devices, for example IDE hard disk , CD drive and DVD drive.
• SCSI The SCSI interface is generally a better and faster solution when compared to IDE/ATA but this solution is not best for common user only best for server level machine. however in some cases can be more difficult to install. To install a SCSI hard disk drive you must have a SCSI card and an available connection on the SCSI cable connecting to the SCSI card.
• External Hard disk There are many solutions are also available; these include, USB Hard disk drive, Fire wire Hard disk drive and Parallel Hard disk drive. The main benefit with external hard disk, you can move it where you want very easily. Mostly external hard disk is used for data backup and change the physical location of data.
Other considerations
Here are some important considerations to look at when purchasing a computer new hard disk drive:
Speed: Hare disk speed is playing an important role when your consider a computer speed. The accessing speed of hard disk is also very high as compare to other storage devices. It is from 5 to 15 MBps. The platters of hard disk rotate from 3000 to 10,000 revolution per min.
Warranty: How long is the warranty and what does it cover.
Support : Is the technical support number a free number is it open 24 hours 7 days a week.
Tips On Buying A Computer Motherboard
Introduction of Motherboard
The motherboard is the main circuit board of the system unit. You can say that motherboard is the master circuit board in the computer. Many new user of computer are not well aware about motherboard that is why for users planning on building a computer a motherboard can be a confusing decision. Below we have listed some considerations and tips when looking at purchasing a computer motherboard.
There are many factor of the motherboard is a crucial consideration when looking at a motherboard.
PC motherboard has two or more expansion slots used to add new components to the computer. The memory chips are also inserted into the expansion slot to expand the size of memory. Given option are very important in any motherboard for example:
Accelerator: It is used to increase the speed of processor.
I/O: It is used to connect input/output devices such as printer, mouse and keyboard.
Game: It is used to connect joystick.
Disk Controller: It is used to connect disk and CD drives.
Modem: It is used to connect other computers through telephone line or cable telephone line.
TV Tuner: It is used for viewing television channels on the computer monitor.
Tips On Buying A Computer Memory.
Introduction of Computer memory.
The Computer memory plays very important role in data processing. Computer memory means the computer can use powerful program with large size. It also improves the data procession speed of computer, that is way it is very important to verify When purchasing a computer memory, this memory is suitable for your computer and needs. Below is a listing of different considerations and tips to look for when purchasing computer memory.
Type Of Memory
There are many types of memory available in market, Before purchasing any memory or considering purchasing memory it is important that you distinguish the type of memory that is required. Below is a listing of some of the configurations of computer memory.
Memory type: SIMM, DIMM, RIMM,
Amount of Pins: 72-Pin, 30-Pin, etc..
Speed of memory: 10ns, 60ns, 70ns, etc..
Printer Buying Tips
How to Buying a Printer?
Introduction
These are most commonly used output devices used to get prints of documents on the pager. Different printers have different mechanisms. Therefore purchasing a printer can be a sometimes confusing task. The following is additional information that will help in your purchasing decisions.
Technology of printers
There are many types and technology of printer are available in market but the most popular and commonly used are inkjet and laser printer.
Ink Jet Printer. The inkjet printer is not-impact character printer and prints one character at a time. The printing quality of inkjet printer is measured by the number of tiny ink of drops per inch(dpi). Most inkjet printers range from 300 to 2400 dpi. Printers with higher dpi usually are more expensive but having high printing quality. The speed of an inkjet printer is measured by the number of pages per minute (ppm) it can print. Its printing speed is up to 15 ppm. Therefore purchasing a printer can be depends upon printers dpi and ppm but It depends upon user need.
Laser Printer. A Laser printer is the fastest and high quality printer, but a laser printers are more expensive than inkjet printers and their print quality is also higher. The print quality and printing speed of laser printers make them ideal for offices and business. The laser printer can print text and graphics in very high quality resolution. The commonly user laser printers have resolution of 300 or 600 dpi and printing speed is from 5 to 30 ppm. The high quality laser printers have resolution from 600 to 2400 dpi. The printing speed of these printers is also more than 150 ppm.
Speed and price range
The price of laser printers depend on the quality and printing speed. The color printers are more costly than black-and-white laser printers. The higher the resolution and speed, the more expensive the printer.The price range can vary depending upon the quality of the printer and the type of printer for example inkjet, laser printers.
READY TO BUY
Once you have reviewed the appropriate information and believe that you are ready to make a purchase of a printer ensure that the source which you plan on purchasing the printer from is a reputable source and you have reviewed our section on what to look out for when purchasing over the Internet.
Tips On Buying A DVD Drives.
Introduction
DVD drives is used with computer to read the information from the DVD-ROM. Today DVD drives have transfer rates ranging of different capacity. Buying a DVD drive is confusing task, because there are many option for this purpose are available in market. Below we have listed important considerations to look at when considering purchasing a DVD drive.
Technology of DVD Drives
Before considering purchasing a DVD drives, it is also good consider the other available options.
CD-R - A CD-writer or recorder (or simply CD-R drive) is used to write data on CD-R disks. Usually, a CD-writer can read information from CD as well as write information on CD, The locally produced CD-R disks are created with CD writer. The speed of these drives is up to 52X or more.
CD-RW - You must have a CD-RW drive to write date on the CD-RW. These drives have read and write speed is up to 52X or more but the re-write speed is 10X or more. The CD-RW drive is advanced and more expensive than CD-R drive. It can write data on both CD-R and CD-RW discs and also read data from them
DVD - DVD stands for Digital Video Disk Versatile Disc. DVD-ROM is an extremely high capacity optical disc with storage capacity from 4.7 GB to 17 GB.
TRANSFER RATES
DVD-ROM is an extremely high capacity optical disc with storage capacity from 4.7 GB to 17 GB. DVD disc is specially use to store movie films. It is also used to store huge database, music, complex software etc.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
There are some other important considerations to look at when purchasing a computer DVD drives include:
DVD option: DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD+R, DVD+R DL,DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+RW DL, DVD-RAM.
Warranty: How long is the warranty and what does it cover.
Support : Is the technical support number a free number is it open 24 hours 7 days a week.
