Buying a New Computer

The good news is that computer prices have dropped a lot over the past few years, and the computing power you get for your money is going up! I don't recommend used computers for anyone, because the rate of change of computer technology will make most systems nearly obsolete within three years. And used computers often come "pre-loaded" with viruses, spyware and damaged system files. If you're a computer novice, wondering what kind of computer, monitor, hard drive, memory, and operating system to get... here's some advice to get you rolling.

Windows or Mac?

You may have friends, relatives or neighbors trying to pull you into the "Windows vs. Mac" holy wars. In my opinion, the choice of operating system really doesn't matter. From a beginner's perspective, each has point & click interfaces that are pretty easy to use. Both will take you to the same Internet, and enable you to send and receive email. Both offer word processing, and the documents they create are interchangeable. Because Windows-based computers make up 90% of the market, they are cheaper. It's the law of supply and demand in operation. And in some areas, it may be hard to find technical or repair support for Apple Macintosh computers. So if you're budget-minded, and you don't have any friends willing to help you with Mac issues, I suggest you go with a Windows-based PC. But if all your friends have Macs, and you don't mind spending a bit more, then buy a Mac. Like I said, they both take you to the same Internet, and the user interfaces are very similar.

A good entry-level Windows-based computer with monitor can be purchased for under $400, and sometimes you even get a printer in the deal. A Mac Mini goes for about $600, but that price doesn't include a monitor, mouse or keyboard, so figure around $750 total. So what should a newbie look for in terms of speed, monitor, memory and hard drive specs? It doesn't have to be all that confusing...

What about Horsepower?

The CPU (central processing unit, or "processor" for short) is the brain of your computer. In general, the faster the better. Processor speeds are measured in gigahertz (GHz) and as of this writing, the fastest models available operate at about 4 GHz. Entry-level machines start at 1.5 to 2.0 GHz and are more than adequate for web surfing, email and word processing. If you see a computer with a processor that has a speed specified in megahertz (MHz), steer clear -- these are older models. (Tech Note: 1 GHz is equal to 1000 MHz, so an older 300 MHz system will be about seven times less powerful than today's entry level machine.)

Thanks for the Memory

The next decision you have to make is how much RAM memory you need. Don't confuse RAM with hard drive (file storage) space. RAM is the temporary working memory that your computer uses to perform calculations and manipulate files. When you open a document, it is copied from the hard drive into RAM. As you and your word processor work on the file, the modified copy exists only in RAM. When you save the file, it is copied from RAM back to the hard drive, or permanent storage. And as with CPU power, the more RAM you have, the better your computer will perform. I recommend you have a minimum 256 megabytes (MB) of RAM, but with 512MB or 1024MB (one gigabyte) you'll notice better performance.

Hard (Drive) Decisions

The hard drive is your permanent file storage. All of your personal files, such as word processor documents, photos, music, and emails are stored here, in addition to software packages and the operating system. Most new PC's come with a hard drive that's 80 gigabytes (GB) or larger. I recommend you start with a hard drive of 80 GB, or more if you plan to keep lots of photos or music on your computer.

Go For a Large Monitor

Here's the formula: Larger Monitor = Less Eyestrain and Less Scrolling. I recommend a 17-inch monitor, or even a 19-inch if you don't mind spending a bit more. Don't worry about brand names here, they're all pretty much the same. Stay away from 14 or 15-inch monitors, they're just too small to be practical.

What About Software?

Most of the software you need will come pre-installed on your new PC. Windows comes with Internet Explorer (for web browsing) and Outlook Express (for email). Many PC systems include a word processor, such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or OpenOffice. Likewise, Mac systems come with the Safari web browser and Apple Mail for email. If your computer doesn't come with a word processor, I suggest you purchase Microsoft Works for Windows, or iWork for Mac, both of which will give you a capable word processor and other useful programs.

Anti-virus and Spyware Protection

Windows users, look for a computer that comes with anti-virus software pre-installed. If yours doesn't come with any anti-virus package, check with your Internet service provider to see if they offer anything for free. My article Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software? will tell you my recommendations for FREE anti-virus, anti-spam and other security tools.

Summary

So in a nutshell, here are my recommendations: