Post on 11-Jan-2016
Buying a Computer
What to look for
What to avoid
Where to buy
First Steps
What do you want to do with it? What are your needs? What is your budget? What are your wants?
SPEED
How fast of a computer do you really need? Look at what CPU it is, how many MHz,
and what cache it has Do you need video acceleration? Recommendations
CAPACITY
How much RAM? How much Hard Drive? How expandable? Recommendations
RELIABILITY
What is the warranty? What is their reputation? What quality are the components? Do they offer technical support? Is it free? On-site service? Is support local?
All-In-One Computers
Monitor and CPU all one box Examples: iMac, eMac, Gateway Astro How expandable is it? If the monitor dies, expensive repair Saves a lot of space Fewer wires hanging out
Slim Desktops (half-height)
Don’t take up as much space on desk May have fewer expansion slots More components integrated on the board
Full size desktops
Lots of room for expansion Sets monitor up high Bulky
Mini-Towers and Towers
Saves desktop space if you can put the computer on the floor or inside desk
Most expandable Largest cases
Laptops
Of course, they are portable Are very expensive for the same power Adding drives, memory, etc. can be
expensive.
Integrated vs. Non-integrated
The more integrated components, the less expandable.
The more integrated components, the more proprietary.
The more integrated components, the higher the service costs.
MONITORS
17” is standard for mid-line systems, 15” for budget systems
Your eyes will appreciate the larger monitor if you have the space for it.
Get a dot pitch of .28 or less (the lower the better)
Look at the monitor for yourself before you buy.
Keyboards
Size of keys How many keys Programmable? Integrated track pad / track ball The magical “Windows” key Ergonomics
Mice
Can have more buttons Can have specialized buttons Differences in quality and control USB vs. PS/2 vs. Serial Optical mice
PRINTERS (Chap. 6 PC Bible)
Ink Jets-– Very cheap to buy– Support Color printing– Ink is very expensive
Lasers-– Expensive to buy, very much so for color– Toner is cheaper in the long run than ink– Last much longer than ink jets
DRIVES
CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW DVD-ROM, DVD+R, DVD-R Floppy? Zip? SuperDrive? Tape Backup?
SCANNERS
You get what you pay for, to some extent. Budget $100-$190 Get 1200dpi SCSI vs. USB vs. Parallel
MODEM
56K v.90 is industry standard Ask your Internet provider which works
best with their service 3Com, Supra, and ZOOM recommended Modems are at the end of their usable life
NETWORK CAPABILITY
Do you need Ethernet? 10/100 base-T Ethernet 3Com, Apple cards recommended
USED COMPUTERS
Not recommended for first-timers Very risky
– Fraud– Repairs– Overpricing
Be sure to check prices on the Internet
REFURBISHED COMPUTERS
Some have had good experience, I have not Check warranty Check price Remember it’s still a used computer!
Where to Buy?
Mail Order Catalog Factory Direct (Internet & phone) Computer Store Department/Discount Store Educator Buys Internet used & refurbished