Hi! Thanks for the question.
Before providing a rating, please ask for clarification if you will
need further assistance in the answers I have provided below.
PCWorld provides an easy to understand guide for buying desktop
computers and laptops. I will provide here some highlights on the
articles but I highly suggest that you read them in their entirety.
Here are the features your basic home PC should have:
Processors:
?If you plan to use your PC for standard office productivity and basic
Internet tasks, most any processor will do. But if you want more
power, Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon XP/Athlon 64 systems are your
best bet. To save a couple of hundred dollars, buy one or two levels
down from the top--you're unlikely to lose more than 5 percent per
tier in performance.?
Memory:
?To give Windows XP and applications like it sufficient room to work,
you should get a minimum of 256MB of RAM. If you can afford to get
more, do it.?
Storage:
?You'll get at least a 40GB hard drive even in basic, sub-$1000 PCs.
And in most cases these basic PCs will come with hard drives 80GB or
larger, which is fine for the majority of tasks.?
Graphics:
?Only dedicated gamers or people who work with 3D modeling need a
top-of-the line graphics card. Home users who want an inexpensive
system with decent graphics should opt for one of the older-generation
NVidia GeForce4 cards (if they can find them): For a bargain price,
they deliver much the same performance with today's games. If you want
to do some gaming and are keeping an eye on the future, get a
lower-level GeForce4 MX board with 64MB of RAM??
Removable Storage:
?Your most cost-effective and flexible removable-storage option is a CD-RW drive.?
?Also growing in popularity are so-called USB thumbdrives. These
keychain-size devices, made by a number of manufacturers, can store
large amounts of data--ranging from 16MB to 512MB.?
Internet:
?A modem, which used to be a must at home, now comes with nearly all
PCs. If you have broadband Internet access, you'll need an ethernet
connection as well. Fortunately, most new PCs have these built in as
well.?
?How to Buy a Desktop PC?
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/bguide/0,guid,14,page,2,00.asp
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/bguide/0,guid,14,page,3,00.asp
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/bguide/0,guid,14,page,4,00.asp
Another article about PCs with a little bit more detailed discussion
can be found from PC Magazine.
?Desktop PCs: The Essential Buying Guide?
http://www.pcmag.com/print_article2/0,2533,a=5587,00.asp
------------------------
Notebook computers are more expensive than ordinary desktop PCs.
PCWorld also has an easy to understand guide for first time buyers of
notebook computers.
Processor:
?Intel's Pentium M processor has helped notebooks gain new ground in
the power department. In our tests, notebooks using the Pentium M
performed considerably faster than those using the Mobile Pentium 4.?
Memory:
?Unless you're buying on the cheap, a new notebook generally includes
256MB to 512MB of system memory. Don't settle for anything less than
256MB??
Graphics Memory:
?You'll want 32MB or 64MB of dedicated video RAM, or VRAM, if you plan
to use your laptop to drive external monitors for presentations.?
Screen:
?Portables with 14.1-inch and 15-inch screens now cost as little as $1200.?
Battery:
?Regardless of the CPU, opt for a lithium ion rechargeable battery,
which lasts longer than a nickel-metal hydride one.?
Optical Drives:
?The next-best thing is a combination DVD-ROM and CD-RW drive.
Midrange machines usually feature one or the other, and only the
least-expensive notebooks come standard with just a CD-RW drive.?
Hard Drive:
?Cheaper notebooks with 20GB hard drives are hard to find, but you can
still save money by opting for a 40GB or 60GB model.?
Internet:
?Built-in ethernet now comes standard on all portables, with some
high-end models including gigabit ethernet. Notebooks using the Intel
Centrino processor include Intel's 802.11b/g networking built in??
?How to Buy a Notebook PC?
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/bguide/0,guid,13,page,2,00.asp
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/bguide/0,guid,13,page,3,00.asp
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/bguide/0,guid,13,page,4,00.asp
Just as before, PC Magazine also has its own guide on how to buy a notebook PC.
?Laptops: The Essential Buying Guide?
http://www.pcmag.com/print_article2/0,2533,a=5349,00.asp
You may also find these other articles helpful in your decision to buy a PC.
CNET Desktop Buying Guide
http://reviews.cnet.com/Desktop_buying_guide/4520-7963_7-5114565-1.html?tag=dir.cdbg
?Computer Buying Guide?
http://www.viewz.com/shoppingguide/compprint.htm
?Buyer's Guide to Personal Computers?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/181465/102-2723948-6077732
CNET Notebook Buying Guide
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7602_7-1016082-1.html?tag=dir.nbg
Search terms used:
Computer notebook laptop buying guide
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
Regards,
Easterangel-ga
Google Answers Researcher |
