1	How to buy a computer And what do I need to know to make an informed decision?
2	Define the Subject How much power do I really need? Custom or off-the-shelf? Laptop or Desktop? Upgrade, Refurbished, or New? Build or Buy? Chain Store or Local Shop? What’s my Budget???????? What do I do with the computer?
3	Overall Status What do I do with the computer? Surf Internet Play Games - and what kind Twitch - where speed is all important Role Playing - where you take turns Business Applications - Word, Excel, Powerpoint Graphics Applications - Photoshop, Pagemaker Video Editing and/or composition
4	"Surf Internet" Surf Internet Computer Speed is nice to have but not primary Older technology is fine - Last Year’s model Memory is less important Hard drive space for downloads Necessary Sound Card - Quality depends on importance of sound #1 - High Speed Internet Access with Protection Anti-Virus Software Firewall - Hardware preferably but at least software
5	"Play Games - and what..." Play Games - and what kind Twitch - where speed is all important High Speed Computer with plenty of RAM 1 GHz or above High Speed Accelerated Video Card Cost G-Force 3 about $350 or more High Speed Disk Drive 7200 RPM, ATA-66 or ATA-100 drive or faster Role Playing - where you take turns Can use Medium Computer High Color Video card - cost $50 up
6	"Business Applications - Word," Business Applications - Word, Excel, Powerpoint Computer Speed little of an issue - 200 MHz + Memory Requirements - medium - 64 or 128 MB Operating System - whatever runs apps well WIN98+ Connectivity - Modem to get updates Storage - little demands Printer - reasonable - depends on personal needs *** Older Technology is just fine ***
7	"Graphics Applications - Photoshop," Graphics Applications - Photoshop, Pagemaker Computer Speed Fairly Important - 600 MHz P-II + Memory Requirements - Large - 256 MB min +++ Operating System - WIN98 SE Min, WIN XP Better Quality Video Card - Speed Important but not 3D Accelerated Connectivity - Modem to get updates Storage - Medium / High demands - 40 GB Removable Storage - Zip Drive or CD-R/RW Drive Printer - reasonable - depends on personal needs Decent Current Machine - $450 - $800
8	"Video Editing and/or composition" Video Editing and/or composition Computer Speed Very Important - 1.400 GHz P-IV + Memory Requirements - Large - 512 MB min +++ Operating System - WIN98 SE Min, WIN XP Better Quality Video Card - Speed Important but not 3D Accelerated Video Capture Device, with Digital / Firewire Connection Connectivity - High Speed for Updates Storage - Demands - 100 GB (Video is ~ 1 GB for 20 minutes) Removable Storage - CD-R/RW or DVD +RW / DVD/RAM Drive VCR Connected to VIDEO IN/OUT device Top of line Current Machine - $1000 - $1800
9	"How much power do I..." How much power do I really need? Hopefully answered by the preceding questions. Not everyone needs the latest and greatest - Wants maybe!! If buying a new system - Pentium II, III, IV, or Celeron 300+, or AMD Athlon Style Do Not purchase “Socket 7” - ADM K6-2 or Pentium system Memory is more costly and MB cannot support as much Motherboard does not support current devices as well - old chipset Buy DVD ROM Drive, only $20 more than CD-ROM more software will be distributed in this format - can read CDs also
10	"Custom or off-the-shelf?" Custom or off-the-shelf? Depends on Support Needs Custom can be had - within limits - Online from one of the big three - Dell, Gateway, and Compaq Custom from them means Proprietary Hardware - but good support and initial help with system - not hand holding Off the shelf - Big Box Retailer - WalMart, Price Club, Costco, or for more choices CompUSA, Staples, Best Buy when you just have to have it NOW!!! Reasonable costs - but little real choice as to configuration What you see is what you get.
11	"Laptop or Desktop?" Laptop or Desktop? Laptop is more costly Slower is speed of CPU, Graphics, and drives Expandability is limited - memory, drive Space and style Dependent on Laptop Manufacturer to provide ALL Hardware Limited Space Requirements for places like college dorms If you travel need to take everything with you and can handle the limitations, Laptops have increased in power to where for many, they can be the only computer needed. Get a decent Docking Station, to get around need for plugging and unplugging devices all the time
12	"General Recommendations if buying new" General Recommendations if buying new XP Will be installed - you can like it Don’t get ME - you will be sorry Don’t Scrimp on Memory - 256 MB min, XP wants more Processor Speed - Faster is Better AMD or Intel Get slower CPU before scrimping on memory or hard drive space Think about both DVD Drive and CD-R/RW Drives Don’t get ZIP unless you need it for compatibility with others Video Card is critical to be matched with your needs Hard Drive - 7200 RPM + and 40 GB Min size Good Keyboard - and Optical Mouse - or Logitech Wireless Combo OR - Buy an IMAC - They are a bargain, and come with it all.