How to Buy a Computer: The Basics

RAM (Random Access Memory): Memory is one of the key components of a computer, which is measured in megabytes. Note that 1000 MB is equal to 1 gigabyte (GB). So the more megabytes you have, the better your computer performs. Most computers today have at least 512 MB (about half a gigabyte) of RAM. You should try 1 GB and above because your computer will run much faster. Not that Windows Vista and Mac OS X Leopard require 1GB for good performance and 2GB for maximum speed. Recommendation: I recommend purchasing at least 1 GB (1000 MB). Remember that Windows Vista and Mac Leopard are memory hungry, so I recommend buying as much RAM as you can afford. Memory is a crutch to keep your computer running as it should. Insider tip: Buy the minimum amount of memory and then buy additional memory components called "sticks" from a site like www.datamemorysystems.com/. This can save you up to several hundred dollars.Buyer Beware: It's not uncommon for lower-end computers ($300 to $600) to come with a small amount of RAM. Make sure you check your computer's capability as it should be able to handle 4GB. Central Processing Unit (Brains): The CPU handles all of the computer's calculations. For the average user, processor speed isn't as important as it used to be. A casual computer user won't need to worry about processor speed as much as a gamer or multimedia user. Processors are made by either Intel or AMD, and both companies have great product options. Intel controls most of the market share and costs more than AMD. Recommendation: CPUs come in two forms: 32-bit and 64-bit. I recommend 32-bit processors because 64-bit processors have a lot of problems working with software programs. Dual-core processors are all the rage right now. What is dual core? This means that your computer has two processors, giving the user twice the processing power. A dual-core device is a must-have for high-end PC users. Hard drive: a storage unit All of your personal data, such as your documents, digital photos, music and software programs, is stored on a hard drive, which comes in many sizes and speeds. Hard disk Storage is measured in gigabytes, and computers usually come with at least 80 GB of storage. Insider Tip: Computers can be configured with two hard drives. Option 1: Two drives providing twice the storage capacity. Option 2: One hard drive stores an exact copy of the other drive. So if your hard drive fails, it's not a big deal because you can turn off the other drive. Recommendation: Best to get a 120GB 5400rpm drive. Video chipsets: graphics for the eye are new operating systems that require a lot of fancy 3-D animations that require better graphics hardware. When choosing video chipsets, you have two options: 1. Integrated or built-in graphics card directly on the computer's motherboard. If you are an average computer user, this option should work just fine. 2.ATI and NVIDIA offer graphics cards that produce much better graphics and easily handle Windows Vista and Mac Leopard. Cards from these two companies are your only option if you play. Recommendation: Check out these websites www.nvidia.com and ati.amd.com. A good rule of thumb is that the higher the model number, the better the graphics card. Recommendation: Look for Intel GMA3100 (model #) or better, with higher numbers being more advanced. Now that you've mastered the basics of buying a computer, it's time to make a decision. Don't worry, we're here to help!