We’ll get you started on your search and define some terms you need to know along the way.
Set your budget and consider your needs
First, decide how much you are able to spend on this purchase. The size of your budget will dictate many of your choices. The good news is that desktop computers are as inexpensive as they’ve ever been, so you can get a decent machine for under $1000. Of course, if you have the cash to spend, you can get increased performance as well as cool and convenient features by spending more, but there’s no sense in getting a machine in which only a fraction of its capabilities will be used.
How will you be using your desktop? Broadly put, desktop users fall into one of two categories.
General user: You want a machine that will easily let you send email, surf the Internet, work on spreadsheets and word documents, view and edit family photos, manage MP3 files and videos and maybe play a 3D graphics game every once in a while. Most new low-to-midrange priced desktops will suit your needs just fine.
Power user: You need a computer that will allow you to run your graphic design, video editing or sound recording programs or play 3D graphic games at top performance. Look for machines with more memory, a dual graphics card, super fast processing speeds, a high resolution display and a larger monitor - and expect to pay more for the speediest and smoothest performance.
If you do all or most of your work from home, you’ll want also want a better processor, more RAM and maybe a larger monitor than what’s required for a general user, but you probably won’t have to be concerned with graphics capabilities.
Finally, consider the space you have for your desktop unit. Today’s desktops come in a surprising range of sizes. Small form factors (SFF) or all-in-one units might be a good solution for working in close quarters like college dorm rooms. These do limit your capability for expansion, however. If space isn’t a concern, mid-tower cases are still popular choices, and full-tower cases give your plenty of room for expansion.
Some terms to know
Brush up on some basic computer terminology to help you understand your choice of components and features.
Processor (CPU): In essence, your computer’s brain, the processor is a chip that processes information. Today’s desktops use many different kinds of processors, but the basic differences involve how many cores they contain and their relative speed. A good rule of thumb for general users is to look for processors that were top-of-the-line six to nine months ago. These will have fallen in price to make room for the newest chips, but will still perform excellently and will increase the longevity of your system.
Memory (RAM): This is the short-term memory of your computer. Consider both the size and speed. The minimum amount you need to boot a system is 512 MB of memory, and you’ll probably want to have at least 1 GB. If you can afford it, go for 2 GB. A good way to tell how much RAM you need is to look at the requirements for the operating system (OS) and the software you will be running. You want more RAM than the highest minimum listed, and at least as much as the highest recommended RAM. Speed does matter – the faster it is the better performance you’ll get.
Hard drive: This is the long-term memory of your computer. Like RAM, hard drives can be compared in size and speed. For most general users, 250 GB is an ideal size, but if you are on a budget you can get away with going as low as160 GB. Power users can go from 400 GB all the way up to 2 TB (terabytes), depending on your storage needs. Most hard drives run at 7200 rpm, which is perfectly fine for almost all users.
Optical drive: Most desktops come with a DVD-RW (writeable) drive, though some of the lower-end models may come with a combo drive that reads DVDs (DVD-ROM) and writes to CDs. The advantages of having a DVD-RW include being able to save your backup data to DVDs or to burn DVDs to share your pictures or digital videos. All DVD-RWs can also burn to CDs. If you get a DVD writeable drive, make sure it supports the two formats of DVDs, +R/RW and -R/RW and look for a recordable speed of at least 16x.
Ports: These slots are where you can plug in devices and cables. Many devices like a mouse, a keyboard, flash drives (memory sticks) and cameras connect via a USB port, so you’ll want to have at least six of these. If you have a video camera or other device that uses FireWire (IEEE1394), make sure there’s at least one FireWire port. These days, some towers come with a few ports at the front of the case, which makes it much more convenient to plug and unplug your devices – no more fumbling around in the back of the machine.
Monitors: LCD monitors – flat-panel displays - are now standard for almost all new computers, which is great since they save tons of space and consume less power than the bulky CRT monitors of yore. At the moment, a 17- or 19-inch screen will give you a good deal for the price. If you’re buying a monitor separately, just make sure that you check your video card to see whether it requires an analog (VGA) or digital (DVI) connector, and choose your monitor accordingly. Read more about choosing a monitor.
Some thoughts on software
The basic must-haves include the OS (operating system), an office suite and an antivirus package (if purchasing a PC). Both Microsoft and Apple have recently released their new operating system - Vista and Leopard - so you can the latest and greatest available if you buy now. You’ll want to pay attention to what other software comes on the machine, and what you’ll need to add. Most PCs will come with a basic set up, and you can often upgrade at the time of your purchase. Macs vary in how much software comes loaded on to the machine, with the Mac Pro offering the most and the Mac Mini offering a little less. If you do plan to purchase more software separately, look for bundles from the vendors to get more and save money.
Look for upgrade offers
You can also find deals if you upgrade at the time of purchase. For example, you may find you’ll get a discount if you go for a bigger hard drive or better monitor when you place your order. Check for these special offers as you compare prices.
Do get a good a warranty
If anything is going to go wrong with your desktop system, you’ll probably find out within a year of your purchase. So a one-year a warranty should be fine. Most manufactures offer multi-tiered service and prices; before you purchase the machine, read the warranty carefully to know what’s covered and what’s not. After all the hard work you put into choosing the right computer, you’ll want to know it’s protected.
