Guide to Buying a Desktop Computer

With the rapid pace of technological developments,However with a CD-R drive, you can record your own
nothing has become as ubiquitous as the computer.data and music CDs, and with a DVD-R drive, you can
Everyone's got one. And they are used for all mannerburn files in a DVD format, allowing you to store
of endeavour, by people of all walks of life. So, do youmovies and data in far greater quantities. The CD-RW
simply buy the computer that someone's selling? Or do(DVD-RW) drives allow you to use re-recordable
you do some homework and figure out what detailedmedia. Your decision will depend on what you want to
specifications are going to make some difference touse your media drives for and what you want to
you? At au you can compare the prices of a widestore. Other removable media will possibly include flash
range of different computers from different vendorscard storage, which is usually plugged in via the USB
and of different specifications. This guide will help youports on the computer. MONITORS For a detailed
find what you're looking for. Mac or Windows (PC) Atexplanation of monitors, please see the article on au
the outset, you need to decide what you are going todedicated to Monitors. The monitor for your computer
use the computer for. This will help you make theis integral to its function and aesthetics. If you are
fundamental decision of whether you should go Macworking in graphics you may want to stay with a CRT
or PC. Although, with the advent of the dual coremonitor. However most bundle offers these days are
processor (an Intel chip now used by Mac) thesupplied with LCD monitors, which have the
differences are narrowed a little, there are still someadvantages of smaller space requirements, use lower
choices that can help you favour one system overenergy and offer wider screen images. However they
another. Historically, Mac computers have a reputationgenerally are more expensive (although prices are
for greater stability that comes from a more robustdropping everyday), can frequently be not as bright,
operating system than Windows based computers.have limited viewing angles and sometimes require a
Largely for this reason, Macs have been the computerdigital interface connector. For graphics intensive work,
of choice for the graphic design industry, the musicLCD screens do not have the same capacity to
production industry and the video production industry.render colours in gradients as CRT monitors. Once
This has prompted the software manufacturers toagain, size matters. Bigger screens cost more than
make professional software packages for thesesmaller ones. VIDEO AND SOUND For a detailed
disciplines that favour the Mac operating system.explanation of video cards, please see the article on
Although they have packages supporting theau dedicated to Video Cards. The interface between
Windows operating system, they are often lessthe CPU and the Monitor is provided by the video card.
capable. Consequently, if you are engaged in theseOne of the basic decisions you need to make is
industries and need your computer for this type ofwhether you require a 3D or 2D card. Video cards
work, you should consider Mac. Mac computerscome in two different types: those that use an AGP
appear to attract fewer viruses and software(accelerated graphics port) on the computer
malfunctions than do Windows based PCs. On themotherboard and those that use the PCI bus. Data
down side, there has always appeared to have beentransfer rate is critical to video performance. Faster
limited software support for Mac systems. Anothervideo cards use an AGP, and this proves a faster
decision that may guide your choice is the aestheticsdata transfer than PCI cards. Most video cards also
of the computer. If you have limited available space,have their own video memory installed on the card, a
there is nothing quite like the iMacs or the mini Macsfeature that increases a computer's memory
for space saving. iMac's all-in-one desktop units areperformance. Today, these memories are often 128M
compact and complete with all the connectivity youor 256M, and can be more in the higher-end cards
need. However, the look of other brands may be morededicated to sophisticated video work or gaming.
to your taste, with many models available in compactVideo cards performance is also affected by what is
packages and modern colour schemes to suitknown as clock speed or clock rate, cards with a
practically all dйcor. Now that you've made thatfaster speed offer faster performance. Cheaper
basic decision, you can start comparing the apples withcomputers, and laptops and notebooks, have an
apples.MacWindows XP HomeWindows XPintegrated graphics chip included in the motherboard
ProfessionalThe Components of Your Computer Theinstead of a discrete video card. This type of
two factors that determine the price of your computerconfiguration is not as powerful or as fully functional as
are size (yes it does matter) and speed. Either or bothhaving a separate video card, which can allow more
of these two dimensions are a factor of practicallycomprehensive gaming, the use of multiple monitors
every component that makes up the machine.and faster and better rendering of images. For a
Naturally the highest price tags go with the combinationcomputer to reproduce the sounds recorded in games,
of biggest and fastest. CPU The heart of themovies and music products it requires a sound card.
computer is the CPU (central processing unit). YouQuality of sound can be affected by the sound card
need to decide which CPU you want driving youryour computer has installed. It's important that you
computer. These come from different manufacturers,know how you want to use the sound reproduction
and the current development of the technology isprocesses of your computer. If you are a musician and
called Dual Core, which means that there are twowant to record audio, then you will want to be sure
processors on the one chip. Dual Core technologythat you have excellent connectivity, good midi access
delivers more performance with less energyand at least 16-bit (CD quality) audio reproduction.
requirements. Intel and AMD are the two leading CPUSound cards give you the possibilities of full cinema
manufacturers, and they offer different products undersurround sound, and the many subtle effects
different names. Current processing speeds rangeemployed by high-end games. Nearly every computer
from about 1.4 GHz (gigahertz) through to 3.46 GHz.comes with a set of stereo speakers. However it
But it is not simply just a matter of speed. There arepays to have a good listen to what you're buying.
other considerations. Mac Operating Systems have aMake sure you listen to program that you are familiar
different architecture to Windows and will performwith (take your own CD along) and compare the
many functions faster with a slower speed CPU. Asound in a quiet environment. Many speaker systems
dual core chip at 1.4 GHz will deliver a betterfor computers have poor frequency response and are
performance that a Pentium 4 chip at 1.8 GHz. A 1.4underpowered. For desktop use that does not involve
GH dual core chip running a Mac with OSX Tiger, willa quality listening environment this may be satisfactory.
perform better than a 2.0 GHz Pentium 4 processorBut if you want to listen to music and watch movies
running Windows. You need to decide what you wantfor the full effect, then you need to consider buying a
your computer to do, what your major softwaregood quality set of speakers. Use the search facility of
requirements are before you decide on the CPUau to compare specifications and prices of different
processor. However, for everyday use, a processorspeaker systems. KEYBOARD AND MOUSE The
faster than 1.8 GHz will deliver excellent performance.choice of keyboard and mouse are personal choices.
As a rough rule of thumb, choose a Celeron for lowSometimes it depends on what you do on your
cost computing, a Pentium 4 for mid-range budgets, orcomputer, whether you have formal typing skills or
an AMD Athlon for bigger budgets. You can comparewhether you're a two-finger hack. Serious writers may
computers based on Pentium, Celeron, Athlon or Dualprefer an ergonomic keyboard. Keyboards frequently
Core CPUs by searching those specifications on auhave different clicks and responses to others. You
and finding different vendors and brands using differentmay prefer an infrared cordless keyboard and mouse.
processors. RAM This is where bigger definitelyYou may prefer an optical mouse on which you don't
means better performance. RAM is the systemhave to clean the rollers. Optical mice have no rollerball,
memory that enables the computer to use itsand can be used on most flat surfaces, but they are
programs and swap data between the hard drive andmore expensive. CONNECTIVITY Today, connectivity
the program functions. It's important to match theis everything. Your computer can have wireless
speed of the RAM of your computer with the speedconnections to all of your peripherals: printer, scanner,
of the CPU. The more RAM you have available forand other computers. Having an onboard modem will
your programs to work, the faster will your computeronly be really important if you are using a dial up
run. Most computers today come with at least 256 Minternet connection. Broadband modems tend to be
(megabytes) of RAM. But memory is a relativelyperipherals and you can connect via USB, wireless or
cheap component, and it costs little extra to upgradefirewire. It does pay to consider how you will connect
to 512 M or greater. HARD DRIVE For a detailedto the internet and other peripherals. It's not always
explanation of hard drives, please see the article on auconvenient to get behind your computer to plug
dedicated to Hard Disc Drives. The hard drive of thesomething in or unplug it. Some sound cards have a
computer stores your program files and your data. Asfront face panel with all the connections you need. The
computers have advanced, so has the need for moreUSB ports on Macs are conveniently located. Many
capacity to operate programs and store data. PeoplePC manufacturers haven't caught on to the fact that
working in media fields tend to work with very largeit's important for some people to easily access the
files and require large storage space. Most computersconnections to their computers. To compare the
in today's market come with a minimum of 40G ofdifferent bundle offers from different brands, and to
hard drive space. However, this can be upgradedcompare the different components by their
(usually in 20G chunks) to as much as 200G or more.specifications, search the au database for exactly the
The effectiveness of your hard drive also can dependspecifications you are seeking. You can compare
on its physical speed (5400-7200 RPM) and the speedprices and vendors, and order what you need online
at which it can transfer data between the computer'swith a few clicks.Andrew Gates for comparison online
RAM and the hard drive. Faster means bettershopping service au.
performance. REMOVABLE MEDIA You will want toau helps you compare the different computers from
have a CD-R or (CD-RW) drive installed in yourdifferent brands in terms of specifications and
computer, and or possibly a DVD or DVD-R. Foraccessories. You can also compare prices from
reading a CD ROM, all that is required is a CD drivehundreds of different brands and vendors.
and for watching DVD movies, a DVD ROM drive.