| 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 manner | | | | burn files in a DVD format, allowing you to store |
| of endeavour, by people of all walks of life. So, do you | | | | movies 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 detailed | | | | media. Your decision will depend on what you want to |
| specifications are going to make some difference to | | | | use your media drives for and what you want to |
| you? At au you can compare the prices of a wide | | | | store. Other removable media will possibly include flash |
| range of different computers from different vendors | | | | card storage, which is usually plugged in via the USB |
| and of different specifications. This guide will help you | | | | ports on the computer. MONITORS For a detailed |
| find what you're looking for. Mac or Windows (PC) At | | | | explanation of monitors, please see the article on au |
| the outset, you need to decide what you are going to | | | | dedicated to Monitors. The monitor for your computer |
| use the computer for. This will help you make the | | | | is integral to its function and aesthetics. If you are |
| fundamental decision of whether you should go Mac | | | | working in graphics you may want to stay with a CRT |
| or PC. Although, with the advent of the dual core | | | | monitor. However most bundle offers these days are |
| processor (an Intel chip now used by Mac) the | | | | supplied with LCD monitors, which have the |
| differences are narrowed a little, there are still some | | | | advantages of smaller space requirements, use lower |
| choices that can help you favour one system over | | | | energy and offer wider screen images. However they |
| another. Historically, Mac computers have a reputation | | | | generally are more expensive (although prices are |
| for greater stability that comes from a more robust | | | | dropping 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 computer | | | | digital interface connector. For graphics intensive work, |
| of choice for the graphic design industry, the music | | | | LCD 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 to | | | | again, size matters. Bigger screens cost more than |
| make professional software packages for these | | | | smaller 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 the | | | | au dedicated to Video Cards. The interface between |
| Windows operating system, they are often less | | | | the CPU and the Monitor is provided by the video card. |
| capable. Consequently, if you are engaged in these | | | | One of the basic decisions you need to make is |
| industries and need your computer for this type of | | | | whether you require a 3D or 2D card. Video cards |
| work, you should consider Mac. Mac computers | | | | come 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 the | | | | motherboard and those that use the PCI bus. Data |
| down side, there has always appeared to have been | | | | transfer rate is critical to video performance. Faster |
| limited software support for Mac systems. Another | | | | video cards use an AGP, and this proves a faster |
| decision that may guide your choice is the aesthetics | | | | data 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 Macs | | | | feature that increases a computer's memory |
| for space saving. iMac's all-in-one desktop units are | | | | performance. Today, these memories are often 128M |
| compact and complete with all the connectivity you | | | | or 256M, and can be more in the higher-end cards |
| need. However, the look of other brands may be more | | | | dedicated to sophisticated video work or gaming. |
| to your taste, with many models available in compact | | | | Video cards performance is also affected by what is |
| packages and modern colour schemes to suit | | | | known as clock speed or clock rate, cards with a |
| practically all dйcor. Now that you've made that | | | | faster speed offer faster performance. Cheaper |
| basic decision, you can start comparing the apples with | | | | computers, and laptops and notebooks, have an |
| apples.MacWindows XP HomeWindows XP | | | | integrated graphics chip included in the motherboard |
| ProfessionalThe Components of Your Computer The | | | | instead of a discrete video card. This type of |
| two factors that determine the price of your computer | | | | configuration is not as powerful or as fully functional as |
| are size (yes it does matter) and speed. Either or both | | | | having a separate video card, which can allow more |
| of these two dimensions are a factor of practically | | | | comprehensive 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 combination | | | | computer to reproduce the sounds recorded in games, |
| of biggest and fastest. CPU The heart of the | | | | movies and music products it requires a sound card. |
| computer is the CPU (central processing unit). You | | | | Quality of sound can be affected by the sound card |
| need to decide which CPU you want driving your | | | | your 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 is | | | | processes of your computer. If you are a musician and |
| called Dual Core, which means that there are two | | | | want to record audio, then you will want to be sure |
| processors on the one chip. Dual Core technology | | | | that you have excellent connectivity, good midi access |
| delivers more performance with less energy | | | | and at least 16-bit (CD quality) audio reproduction. |
| requirements. Intel and AMD are the two leading CPU | | | | Sound cards give you the possibilities of full cinema |
| manufacturers, and they offer different products under | | | | surround sound, and the many subtle effects |
| different names. Current processing speeds range | | | | employed 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 are | | | | pays to have a good listen to what you're buying. |
| other considerations. Mac Operating Systems have a | | | | Make sure you listen to program that you are familiar |
| different architecture to Windows and will perform | | | | with (take your own CD along) and compare the |
| many functions faster with a slower speed CPU. A | | | | sound in a quiet environment. Many speaker systems |
| dual core chip at 1.4 GHz will deliver a better | | | | for computers have poor frequency response and are |
| performance that a Pentium 4 chip at 1.8 GHz. A 1.4 | | | | underpowered. For desktop use that does not involve |
| GH dual core chip running a Mac with OSX Tiger, will | | | | a quality listening environment this may be satisfactory. |
| perform better than a 2.0 GHz Pentium 4 processor | | | | But if you want to listen to music and watch movies |
| running Windows. You need to decide what you want | | | | for the full effect, then you need to consider buying a |
| your computer to do, what your major software | | | | good quality set of speakers. Use the search facility of |
| requirements are before you decide on the CPU | | | | au to compare specifications and prices of different |
| processor. However, for everyday use, a processor | | | | speaker 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 low | | | | Sometimes it depends on what you do on your |
| cost computing, a Pentium 4 for mid-range budgets, or | | | | computer, whether you have formal typing skills or |
| an AMD Athlon for bigger budgets. You can compare | | | | whether you're a two-finger hack. Serious writers may |
| computers based on Pentium, Celeron, Athlon or Dual | | | | prefer an ergonomic keyboard. Keyboards frequently |
| Core CPUs by searching those specifications on au | | | | have different clicks and responses to others. You |
| and finding different vendors and brands using different | | | | may prefer an infrared cordless keyboard and mouse. |
| processors. RAM This is where bigger definitely | | | | You may prefer an optical mouse on which you don't |
| means better performance. RAM is the system | | | | have to clean the rollers. Optical mice have no rollerball, |
| memory that enables the computer to use its | | | | and can be used on most flat surfaces, but they are |
| programs and swap data between the hard drive and | | | | more expensive. CONNECTIVITY Today, connectivity |
| the program functions. It's important to match the | | | | is everything. Your computer can have wireless |
| speed of the RAM of your computer with the speed | | | | connections to all of your peripherals: printer, scanner, |
| of the CPU. The more RAM you have available for | | | | and other computers. Having an onboard modem will |
| your programs to work, the faster will your computer | | | | only be really important if you are using a dial up |
| run. Most computers today come with at least 256 M | | | | internet connection. Broadband modems tend to be |
| (megabytes) of RAM. But memory is a relatively | | | | peripherals and you can connect via USB, wireless or |
| cheap component, and it costs little extra to upgrade | | | | firewire. It does pay to consider how you will connect |
| to 512 M or greater. HARD DRIVE For a detailed | | | | to the internet and other peripherals. It's not always |
| explanation of hard drives, please see the article on au | | | | convenient to get behind your computer to plug |
| dedicated to Hard Disc Drives. The hard drive of the | | | | something in or unplug it. Some sound cards have a |
| computer stores your program files and your data. As | | | | front face panel with all the connections you need. The |
| computers have advanced, so has the need for more | | | | USB ports on Macs are conveniently located. Many |
| capacity to operate programs and store data. People | | | | PC manufacturers haven't caught on to the fact that |
| working in media fields tend to work with very large | | | | it's important for some people to easily access the |
| files and require large storage space. Most computers | | | | connections to their computers. To compare the |
| in today's market come with a minimum of 40G of | | | | different bundle offers from different brands, and to |
| hard drive space. However, this can be upgraded | | | | compare 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 depend | | | | specifications you are seeking. You can compare |
| on its physical speed (5400-7200 RPM) and the speed | | | | prices and vendors, and order what you need online |
| at which it can transfer data between the computer's | | | | with a few clicks.Andrew Gates for comparison online |
| RAM and the hard drive. Faster means better | | | | shopping service au. |
| performance. REMOVABLE MEDIA You will want to | | | | au helps you compare the different computers from |
| have a CD-R or (CD-RW) drive installed in your | | | | different brands in terms of specifications and |
| computer, and or possibly a DVD or DVD-R. For | | | | accessories. You can also compare prices from |
| reading a CD ROM, all that is required is a CD drive | | | | hundreds of different brands and vendors. |
| and for watching DVD movies, a DVD ROM drive. | | | | |