Jan's Computer Basics: 12-4 Hardware

Computer Basics

12 - On Your Own: Hardware

You have carefully considered what tasks you want your computer system to handle and what software you'll need for these tasks. You've thought about the total cost of computer ownership and have a good idea of what you can spend on the computer system itself. Now you are ready to decide on what hardware to buy.

There are entirely too many things to consider when buying a computer system. So you won't forget something important, make a list of all the things you require of your new system and set priorities. (We can rarely afford all we want or even need!) Use one color for characteristics that are absolutely required and a different one for things that are just highly desirable.

Best Guess Recommendations

Not knowing what you actually need your computer to do, I can only make my Best Guess. Below is a table of my current recommendations for purchasing a PC for home use, for what it's worth. (I don't have much experience with Apple products, so I can't judge how useful this list might be for purchasing a Mac.) Use this to evaluate a computer system package. You can get some real bargains if your needs can be satisfied with a system that meets just the minimums.

Please remember that these recommendations may not suit your circumstances well at all. Most home computers are used for word processing, games, and accessing the Internet. Games stretch the capacity of a computer more than anything else! So keeping well in mind what you expect to use your computer for, choose a system and components that should be much, much more than necessary. In a year or so you will probably find that you need all the capacity you've got and are wishing for more.

Don't forget the other considerations, like availability and cost of replacement parts and repair arrangements. A great price for a system that meets your criteria perfectly won't make you happy if you can't get something fixed or replaced.

In some browsers you can print just the table: drag through the table to select it all and then in the Print dialog choose Print selection.

Where you are: JegsWorks > Lessons > Computer Basics
	1. Computer Types
	2. Applications
	3. Input
	4. Processing
	5. Output
	6. Storage
	7. Computer to Computer
	8. System Software
	9. Programming

	10. What You See
	11. Hands On!
	12. On Your Own Intro Decisions Software Hardware Installing Software Trouble? Quiz

	Search Glossary Appendix

*Best Guess Recommendations (Home Use) -* *Sept. 2006*
Desktop or Laptop	It depends on how you plan to use the computer. For a laptop, get as much capacity and battery life as you can but be careful about the weight. You will not enjoy hauling around a laptop that strains your back!
Processor	Pentium 4
Clock speed	minimum = 1 GHz (GHz = gigahertz = 1000 MHz) better= 2+ GHz
RAM (memory)	minimum= 256 MB better= 512 MB (MB = megabytes) great= 1 GB (GB = gigbyte)
Slots & Bays	minimum= 3 open slots and 1 open bay
Hard disk size	minimum= 40 GB better= 80 GB great= 120+ GB (GB = gigabytes= 1000 megabytes)
Monitor size	minimum= 15" better= 17" great= 19", if you have the room on the desk! Price is really down. Or think about a flat panel monitor- prices are falling rapidly Able to display 1024 x 768 resolution in 16-bit color
Video card	minimum= video integrated with the motherboard better= PCI card with 64 MB great= 3D card with 64+ onboard memory
Operating System	WinXP, pre-installed, CD installation disk provided. Be aware that old software may not run on new operating systems. Older Windows versions (Win95/98) are no longer going to get security updates.
Software	minimum= anti-virus, word processing better= major anti-virus program, an office suite like Microsoft Office or Lotus SmartSuite that includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, etc. best= pre-loaded with the system - the software you need specifically (Be aware that low end computers may come with Microsoft Works installed, which is not the same as Microsoft Office.)
CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD-R	required: drive that reads CDs since nearly all software is now installed from a CD. better: 40x/10x/40x CD-RW drive or 16x DVD-ROM drive best: writable DVD drive, but there are various formats available that are not compatible with each other. DVD disks hold more but cost a lot more than CDs.
Sound card	Sound Blaster or compatible; may be part of CD-ROM package along with speakers
Printer	minimum= ink jet, at least 6 pages per minute, (consider color though it is slower) better=black and white laser for best print quality; color ink jet with separate ink cartridges for each color. best =Color laser- Prices are not so bad now but toner is expensive. Probably not worth it for home use.
Removable disks	One or more USB flash drives. A new computer will have 2 USB ports on the back and 2 on the front.
UPS	minimum= surge protection strip or console with phone jack better= UPS with phone jack and 5 - 10 minute backup power best= includes software to auto-close and shut down
Modem	minimum= 56.6 Kbps speed better= ISDN, or ADSL (also called just DSL) fastest= cable modem
Scanner	600 dpi or better; 24-bit color or better; full page scanner; single-pass

Where to Buy?

One major consideration about what computer system to buy is Where to buy it. There are a number of sources, each with their own Advantages and Disadvantages.

Chain computer store	Advantages:	Knowledgeable staff can advise you Easy to exchange Repair what they sell Large stock on hand Prices usually OK. National brands Help with installation/configuration problems close at hand
	Disadvantages:	Repair shops vary in quality Staff may not be well-trained if turnover is high High minimum charge to work on your computer May charge for any configuration assistance Impersonal
Small computer shop	Advantages:	Knowledgeable about their own stock More personal More flexible about pricing Clones - computers put together from off-the-shelf parts, making replacement parts and repairs easier. Help with installation/configuration close at hand
Small computer shop	Disadvantages:	Little stock on hand. Must order. Pricing tends to be somewhat higher
Direct	Advantages:	Prices may be lower Can order non-standard components Warranty comes from manufacturer and not store
Direct	Disadvantages:	Must order and wait Exchanges for broken parts difficult Harder to get help for installation/configuration problems Parts may be more expensive than for a clone.
Catalog	Advantages:	Lower prices! Most accept returns for any reason
Catalog	Disadvantages:	Must order and wait. Must ship to return broken or unsatisfactory order No assistance for installation/configuration

So what conclusions can we draw about where to buy a system?

1. When comparing prices, be sure you are not comparing apples to oranges.
2. Consider possible expenses like shipping returns and technical assistance.

3a. If you are knowledgeable about what you want and can tolerate the shipping waits, order from a catalog for the best price. Use a local computer shop to put together just the right system from components.

3b. If you are new to computers, buy from a store where you can get assistance and advice and can return unsatisfactory merchandise. A helpful, local shop is more important than a somewhat lower price.

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~~ 1 Cor. 10:31 ...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ~~

Last updated: 22 Jan 2008