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When do I need a New Computer?
I am sure that you are probably getting a little upset
at your computer. A couple of years ago you bought a system that the
salesman promised was the best solution to all your problems. It would
run all the latest software and was expandable for the future.
Now that it has seen some use, chatting and cruising the internet, downloading music and files from peer to peer filesharing. Your wonderful fast machine is running like snail caught in molasses.
Do you have to get yourself a new machine? Or, Do you repair the one you have?
This is one of the really tough questions to answer and the answer depends on several issues.
Now that it has seen some use, chatting and cruising the internet, downloading music and files from peer to peer filesharing. Your wonderful fast machine is running like snail caught in molasses.
Do you have to get yourself a new machine? Or, Do you repair the one you have?
This is one of the really tough questions to answer and the answer depends on several issues.
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What do you use the computer for?
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How many users does the system have?
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Do you use the system for 3D high tech games such as Quake, Doom, Far Cry etc?
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Do you use the system for business?
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What specifications does your current system have?
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Do you use special software, such as corporate software?
I will answer # 3 first.
Gamers need the most computer that is available. If this is your use, go directly to the next computer store, empty your wallet and savings account, and get all that they have to offer, do not pass go.
The other power intensive tasks where you may require a new computer are: drafting, 3D graphics, movie ripping, or movie editing
Just about every computer built since 2000 is fast enough to do all the other tasks you may ask of it.
If all you do is E-mail, cruise the internet, text chat, writing letters or bookkeeping then just about any computer over 233 Mhz and 128 MB of ram will do. A system like this with a clean install of Windows 98SE will work well. The only problem is that Antivirus programs such as Norton or McAfee are so resource hungry that they make
Gamers need the most computer that is available. If this is your use, go directly to the next computer store, empty your wallet and savings account, and get all that they have to offer, do not pass go.
The other power intensive tasks where you may require a new computer are: drafting, 3D graphics, movie ripping, or movie editing
Just about every computer built since 2000 is fast enough to do all the other tasks you may ask of it.
If all you do is E-mail, cruise the internet, text chat, writing letters or bookkeeping then just about any computer over 233 Mhz and 128 MB of ram will do. A system like this with a clean install of Windows 98SE will work well. The only problem is that Antivirus programs such as Norton or McAfee are so resource hungry that they make
the machine nearly unusable.
An install of one of the low overhead antivirus programs such as AVG or AVPersonal will keep the system running correctly. They also have the added bonus of being free.
For a general purpose computer where you want to run all but the fastest games or graphics intensive software a 500 Mhz machine with 256 MB of ram or more is fully adequate. Indeed this is the speed of the machine that this newsletter is being typed on. I can listen to music, watch movies etc. and it works well.
The analogy I like to use is that once upon a time cars only had 30 to 50 horsepower, which was not enough. Technology today could put over 1000 Hp in your car but you do not need it. Most cars have about 100 Hp and very few have or ever need more than 300 Hp.
It is the same for computers for day to day use a 500 Mhz machine with lots of Ram and a big hard drive will work just fine.
Just make sure that you keep your old machine clean of spyware and virii and you can be pleased with the performance that an older computer will provide.
An install of one of the low overhead antivirus programs such as AVG or AVPersonal will keep the system running correctly. They also have the added bonus of being free.
For a general purpose computer where you want to run all but the fastest games or graphics intensive software a 500 Mhz machine with 256 MB of ram or more is fully adequate. Indeed this is the speed of the machine that this newsletter is being typed on. I can listen to music, watch movies etc. and it works well.
The analogy I like to use is that once upon a time cars only had 30 to 50 horsepower, which was not enough. Technology today could put over 1000 Hp in your car but you do not need it. Most cars have about 100 Hp and very few have or ever need more than 300 Hp.
It is the same for computers for day to day use a 500 Mhz machine with lots of Ram and a big hard drive will work just fine.
Just make sure that you keep your old machine clean of spyware and virii and you can be pleased with the performance that an older computer will provide.
What to Look For in a New Computer
Laptop:
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Battery life, make sure that you get a system that will last most of the day on batteries.
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Wireless, wireless G or pre N for networking and bluetooth for connecting new devices
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Do not get a Pentium 4 in a laptop, they are way too power hungry and need too many fans. Get a Athlon 64 or a Pentium M or Celeron.
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Ask for Centrino.
Desktop:
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Make sure it has a good solid case with a good power supply.
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Avoid systems with non standard parts. Just because it is cute does not mean it is good. Or easy to repair.
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Avoid like the plague the really cheap systems! The markup on mid priced and cheap systems is cut throat. You get what you pay for. Buy mid priced.
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Top of the line systems are a salesman’s best friend. They cost a lot more and you get very little more performance.
