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Buying a New Computer -- Part 1 of 2
If you wander down to your local computer or office supply store, you will be confronted with a bunch of computers that look very similar. The key to differentiating them is in the specifications. The name brand computers like Compaq and HP will have little specification cards. This article will help you understand some of the stuff you see written there. I know some of you are impatient. If you do not care about the whys, wait for the March Diablo Blue for the whats: the Recommendations.
If you are buying a computer these days, be aware that profit margins are very thin. The store will make very little money on your computer. For this reason, the prices will not vary much between different stores or even brands.
Be aware that the store will try to sell you an extended warranty because that is where they can make some money. The only computers I recommend buying the extended warranty for are laptops. I say that because I seem to break laptops just after they go out of warranty. I generally recommend a name brand computer unless you happen to know a reliable builder. Be sure to read the return policy before buying the computer just in case you get a defective computer.
First the basics. Each of the specifications will at minimum reveal the following:
Processor
Hard disk type and size
Memory size
CD drive type and speed
Video card type and memory
I suppose it is possible to select your choice from that information and the price alone but the following information should also be revealed:
Data ports (types, numbers, and locations)
Modem type
Network card type
Number of empty drive bays
Number of empty slots (and type)
The specifications will probably not mention the basic items you get, like the keyboard and mouse. You need to try out the system to see if you like what they are offering. I often end up buying a better keyboard and mouse and shelving the one they include. The system may also include a monitor and a printer. You will have to decide for yourself if they are really giving you a deal.
Processor
The processor is the core of the computer and there have been lots of choices through the years. You currently have a choice between processors made by Intel and processors made by AMD. These are roughly equivalent processors and the choice is mostly a religious one. I personally always buy Intel-based computers but I have many friends who prefer an AMD-based computer. The price between equivalent speed processors is very close and so is the technology. I can not give a rational reason to prefer one over the other.
The speed of the processor is measured in megahertz and usually written as MHz. The low-end computers have a speed specification over 500 MHz. What that means is that the processor clock is ticking at 500 thousand times per second. There appears to be little difference in processor price per cycle (i.e., power per dollar) until you reach 700 MHz, and then it gets expensive. You can buy a computer with a 1 GHz (gigahertz) processor (one million cycles per second) but expect to pay an additional thousand dollars for the privilege. Running at those speeds, the processor generates a lot of heat and all computer systems will have processor fans. The best fans have roller bearings, but most manufacturers will not tell you anything about them.
Hard Disks
Unless you are looking at an expensive server-class computer, the computer will have an Ultra DMA hard drive. This is the latest evolution of the IDE drive. Ultra DMA hard drives are very inexpensive these days and this may be the most distinguishing feature of the systems you look at. Drives will range from 10 GB (gigabytes, a billion bytes) to 50 GB. If you are not familiar with the term gigabytes, think of one GB as 1,000 MB. I know that 10 GB sounds like a lot of storage, but right now there are companies creating programs that you will want in the future that will use up that space.
Some folks will tell you that SCSI hard drives are faster. That was once true but these days, they are very comparable. SCSI will cost you two to four times as much money for the same capacity (if it is even available). SCSI is more important in some mission-critical systems and servers. That is the sub (Continued on page 3)
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