How to Buy a Computer

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Categories: Technology | How Tos

  • A computer is one of the most important purchases you can make. It's an investment of potentially a thousand dollars or more, so you want to make sure you do it right. A computer has a lot of different parts, options and accessories, so two machines are rarely identical. And that's not to mention complicated questions like PC or Mac, or desktops versus laptops. But by following the simple tips on this page, you can feel perfectly confident that the computer you purchase is just right for you.

  • Tips for Buying a Computer

    1. If you know you're looking for a laptop, check out Mahalo's specific guide on How to Buy a Laptop Computer.
    2. If you know you want a Mac computer, check out Mahalo's guide on How to Buy a Mac Computer.
    3. Learn how the basics of how important components like processors, RAM, hard drives work.
    4. Make sure you get components that fit your needs.
    5. Don't go overboard with parts or features that you'll never use.
    6. Set a budget, but remember to be somewhat flexible.
    7. Shop around between manufacturers and distributors.
    8. Even if you plan to buy online, browsing in brick-and-mortar stores can help with the research process.

  • Introduction

    It's hard to imagine that just 20 years ago, most homes didn't have a personal computer or laptop. But now, it's harder to find a home that doesn't have one or more! With a computer, you can access the Internet, send and receive e-mail, chat with your friends, play games, share photos and videos, manage your personal finances, and do a host of other fun and productive activities.

    • That said, there are a bewildering number of decisions and hardware options to be made when you purchase a computer. PC or Mac? How big should the hard drive be? What size monitor should you get? How much RAM? And what is "RAM," anyway? We'll try to keep it all simple and easy, so you make the right decisions and get the machine that's perfect for you.

  • Step 1: Understand the Parts

    • RAM, GB, GHz... OK? Not OK?
    • Don't be intimidated by all the terminology that goes into describing a PC and its various hardware components. You only need to know a few key concepts and terms to shop like a computing pro.

  • Hardware and Software

    • Put simply, hardware is the physical parts of the computer: the case and everything inside it, monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. Software includes all the programs on your PC or laptop, like the operating system, word processor, web browser, games, and so on.
    1. When shopping for a computer, most of your efforts will be in identifying and acquiring the proper hardware. Hardware is integrated into the system and can be difficult and costly to upgrade or replace.
    2. Getting new software is as simple as buying the software and installing it on your computer, typically by just inserting a disk into your main disk drive.
    3. You'll need a good combination of both for your computer to reach its full potential.

  • CPU (Processor)

    • The central processing unit (CPU, or more commonly, just "processor") is the brain of the computer. More than anything, it determines the computing speed of your system.
    1. Processor speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz), and (usually) the higher the number the faster your processor.
    2. In truth, two processors made by different manufacturers might have different ways of measuring their speed. For instance, a 3.0 GHz Athlon CPU might actually be slower than a 2.8 GHz Intel CPU.
    3. Any computer can use a higher processor speed, but if you're not planning to make heavy use of graphics or other resource-intensive programs, like 3-D games, you can get by with a slower processor.

  • Hard Drive

    • The hard drive is the bulk storage device of the computer.
    1. All your information—files, programs, settings, etc.—reside on the hard drive.
    2. Think of it as the giant warehouse where a company stores all its products.
    3. Hard drive capacity is rated in gigabytes (GB), usually in the hundreds.
    4. The more GB your hard drive has, the more photos, videos, files, games, and so on you can store on your computer.
    5. Most hard drives are large enough to store hundreds of thousands, if not millions of files.

  • RAM

    1. RAM is a set of storage space independent from the hard drive that keeps track of what you are working on right now.
    2. If the hard drive is a warehouse, then RAM is the shipping area where things are packaged up and prepared for shipping.
    3. RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), with 1 GB being about equal to 1,000 MB.
    4. RAM is typically measured in multiples of about 128 MB: 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, etc.
    5. Like processor speed, RAM helps determine how fast your computer runs.
    6. Unlike the processor, though, RAM is easily upgradeable, meaning that if your computer starts with 1 GB of RAM and you decide later on you'd like 2 GB, you should be able to upgrade it fairly easily.
    7. Most software has a minimum and recommended RAM; aiming for the higher-end RAM amounts is a good bet, because it will give you better performance now and allow you to run software a few years down the line without needing an upgrade.

  • Graphics Card

    • Your graphics card, also called a GPU or video card, is hardware specifically designed to renders graphics (such as from a video game) or videos for your computer.
    1. The graphics card is the most important component if you want your stuff to look "pretty."
    2. Graphics cards also are rated in MB, but the measurements vary significantly across manufacturers; a 128 MB card may be better than a 256 MB card, and two 256 MB cards are rarely identical.
    3. This site makes comparing graphics cards easy and tells you what you should look for in a card.
    4. The more graphics-intensive you intend your computer to be, the better the graphics card you'll need.

  • Sound Card

    • The sound card is just what it sounds like—it determines the quality of your PC's audio output.
    1. A good sound card is a must for people who want to use their computer for music, video, or games.
    2. That said, you don't need to worry too much about the various sound cards when buying a computer; most will perform the basic duties of providing the necessary audio output.
    3. Just as important are the speakers for your system, both in terms of quality and positioning.

  • CD/DVD Drives

    • These days, most computers come with at least one DVD drive, which can read both DVDs and CDs. While some software still comes packaged on CDs, most are written on DVDs, so you'll need a DVD drive to use it.
    1. If you want to be able to create your own DVDs or CDs, you'll want a DVD-RW (or CD-RW) drive, where the "RW" stands for "read-write."
    2. You also might want an extra drive, in case one fails or if you want to use multiple drives at once (such as to listen to music from a CD while playing a game on DVD).

  • Modem

    • A modem is required to connect your computer to the Internet.
    1. Most modern computers come with a modem already installed, suitable for dial-up access.
    2. If you want broadband (high-speed) Internet access, you'll need a DSL or cable modem, either of which can be rented from your Internet provider.
    3. You can also buy your own modem, either wired or (especially if you have a laptop) wireless.

  • Other Hardware

    • You'll probably want a few other important pieces of hardware separate from the main computer. Most are a matter of personal preference and need, though a few are required for proper use of your computer.
    • Required equipment: mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers.
      1. Any pre-packaged computer will at least come with this basic equipment, with the possible exception of a monitor, which you may have to buy separately or with an upgrade.
      2. You'll probably want at least a minimum of 15 inches for your monitor; you can get larger and thinner monitors for more money. Go with what works for you and fits your budget.
    • Optional equipment: printer, scanner, fax machine, external hard drive, flash drive.
      • There's virtually no limit to the peripherals you might need for your computer, but these are some of the most common. Fortunately, if you don't buy them when you purchase your computer, you can easily add them on later if you need to.
    • Note: Don't forget about the other components you'll need to get your devices up and running! Printers need paper and ink, DVD-RW drives need blank DVDs, and virtually every external component needs some kind of cable (usually a USB cord) to hook up to your computer.

  • Step 2: Determine Your Needs

    • It should be obvious by now that not all computers are created equally. There's a big difference between a machine with a 2.4 GHz processor, 120 GB hard drive, and 512 MB of RAM and one with a 3.0 GHz processor, 500 GB hard drive, and 2 GB of RAM. So, which hardware configuration will best meet your computing needs? Something basic, high-end or somewhere in between? Would a laptop be better for you than a PC? There are numerous preliminary issues to clarify before you start shopping.
    1. First, you'll want to determine what you plan to use your computer for. These divisions are not hard and fast, but should provide you with a pretty good guideline.
      • Low-end: Word processing, spreadsheets, web surfing, e-mail, chatting, basic video and photo viewing.
        • Typical low-end specs: 2.0-2.5 GHz processor, 150-200 GB hard drive, 512 MB RAM, 128 MB video card, at least one CD/DVD drive (read-only or RW).
      • Midrange: Above, plus some 3-D gaming, multimedia editing, photo and video editing.
        • Typical midrange specs: 2.5-3.0 GHz processor, 200-400 GB hard drive, 1-2 GB RAM, 256 MB video card, at least one DVD/RW drive.
      • High-end: Above, plus top-notch 3-D gaming, fast processing, professional graphics work.
        • Typical high-end specs: 3.0+ GHz processor, 400+ GB hard drive, 2+ GB RAM, 256-512 MB video card, one to two DVD/RW drives.
    2. If this is your first computer, buying a package deal—where you get a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, and other components—might be the best option, so you can get started immediately.
    3. If you're upgrading your current machine, or if you can obtain other parts, such as a monitor or printer from a friend, you might want to buy the parts of the computer separately.
    4. Note that sometimes buying a package deal is still cheaper than buying individual hardware components, even if, say, you don't use the printer that comes in the deal.
    5. What kind of software are you going to need? At the very least, you'll need an operating system (the underlying program that makes your computer work, like Windows for PCs or OS X for Macs), and you'll probably want some basic applications for tasks like word processing or desktop publishing.
    6. If you want to play a particular game, make sure your computer can run it!
    • While you're thinking about all the individual components, you'll have several other important decisions to make regarding your computer:

  • Desktop vs. Laptop

    • Desktop pros:
    1. Less expensive.
    2. Easier to upgrade.
    3. Somewhat more powerful overall (though laptops are closing the gap).
    • Desktop cons:
    1. Heavy and generally non-portable.
    2. Bigger, requiring space to use properly.
    • Laptop pros:
    1. Lighter and more portable.
    2. All-in-one package; you don't need separate mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers, etc.
    • Laptop cons:
    1. Poor ergonomics; people tend to stoop over their machines and smaller keyboard and monitor can be more difficult to use.
    2. Easily lost or stolen; don't leave your laptop in your car, even if it's locked!
    3. Battery life can often be measured in hours, requiring frequent recharges.
    4. Difficult to upgrade.
    5. May not include CD/DVD drives.

  • PC vs. Macintosh

    • PC pros:
    1. Less expensive.
    2. Easier to upgrade.
    3. More available software.
    • PC cons:
    1. More volatile; crashes and system instability tend to occur more frequently.
    2. Greater susceptibility to viruses and other security hazards.
    3. Can be more difficult to use, especially for beginners.
    • Mac pros:
    1. Easy to set up and use; very intuitive design.
    2. Better interfaces with other Apple devices, such as the iPhone and iPod.
    3. Better at handling graphic-design tasks.
    • Mac cons:
    1. More expensive.
    2. Software options are somewhat limited.
    3. Difficult or expensive to upgrade.

  • Operating System

    • Finally, give a little thought to your computer's operating system. While whatever OS that comes with your computer will accomplish nearly all of your computing tasks just fine, you might want to spend a little time looking into your options.
    1. If you have a PC, you'll probably want a Windows system, either XP or Vista. While Vista is the newer and more powerful of the two, it has been met with much skepticism and may actually be less powerful than XP. Until the kinks in Vista are worked out, you're probably better off with XP.
    2. For Macs, the choice is a little easier. Mac OS X Leopard is the new OS for Macs, and while it isn't without its detractors and incompatibility issues, most reviews have generally been positive.
    3. One other alternative OS is Linux, an open-source OS that can run on both PCs and Macs. Linux's primary advantage is that, as open-source software, it's free. However, its adoption into the desktop marketplace has been slow, with the primary reasons quoted as "application support, the quality of peripheral support, and end user support". If you're an advanced user who enjoys a challenge, Linux may be for you, but if not, you should stick with Windows or OS X.

  • Step 3: Shop Around

    • Now that you've got a pretty good idea of what you want to buy, how should you go about buying it? And, perhaps most importantly, how much are you going to pay for it?
    1. Make a list of what you think you'll need in terms of hardware and a rough idea of what components (like DVD drives, processor speed, RAM, etc.) you'd like. You can also have a separate "wish list" of things you'd like but don't necessarily require, like a DVD-RW drive or all-in-one printer/scanner/fax machine. If you find a good deal, or they're part of a good package deal, you should consider picking them up.
    2. It's a good idea to set a budget, but keep in mind that prices can vary widely-- even on seemingly similar systems or hardware. A general guide is about $500-$800 for a low-end computer, about $800-$1,500 for a midrange computer, and anywhere from $1,500 on up for a high-end computer. This includes the basics, like monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers; printers and other accessories may cost extra. As with any shopping experience, watch for sales!
    3. Don't be shy about asking for advice, especially from computer-savvy friends and family. Store employees can also help, but keep in mind that they're trying to sell you something; take their advice with a grain of salt.
    4. Do some research on the Internet. Most stores, like Best Buy, CompUSA, and Circuit City will have some form of comparison shopping for computers where you can compare features, add-ons, and price. You might even choose to buy your PC online, at a site like NewEgg.com or direct from a manufacturer like HP or Dell.
    5. Once you know what you want and have a rough idea of your price range, go to a few stores and scan the computer aisles for the best prices. Even if you plan to buy online, it's helpful to browse a physical store for a while to get an idea of what the computers will look like and to see if you can understand their features from the descriptions. Take notes if you have to.
    6. You may decide to choose an off-brand PC instead of one from a major manufacturer, like Dell or HP. There's really no difference between the two—they use the same components—but you'll generally get better customer service from the major brands, as well as better peace of mind. On the other hand, off-brand PC makers generally offer better prices.

  • Step 4: Make the Purchase

    • Now comes the moment of truth: actually buying the computer. As mentioned before, it's a big investment, and not one you should make lightly.
    1. Take one more look at the budget you set. If you've exceeded it by a ridiculous amount, it might be wise to pare back some of your computer's features.
    2. Don't buy anything you don't need. If your computer is part of a package deal, you might be getting hardware and software you don't need. If the overall price is still reasonable, this isn't so bad (and you might be able to sell the excess), but don't let useless features inflate the final bill.
    3. Don't forget the software! Any computer will come with an operating system, but you'll probably want more that just that, like a basic office package or games.
    4. Consider a payment plan if you can't afford to pay for the computer in its entirety at purchase time.
    5. If you're new to computers, consider a service plan or warranty. If something goes wrong and you don't know how to fix it, you can usually bring your machine back to the store and they'll take care of it for free.
    6. After you've browsed through multiple stores—both physical and online—and know exactly what you want, make that purchase with confidence!
    7. Once you get your computer home, follow the instructions on how to hook everything up, power on, and enjoy your new computer!

  • Conclusion

    • There, that wasn't so bad, was it? Buying a computer is like making any other major purchase, like a house or a car. If you do your homework, know exactly what you need, and shop around for the best deal, you'll find that it's easy to get what you want with a minimum of hassle and confusion.

  • Parts of a Computer


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