Buying a computer
- 1. Buying A Computer Agenda: What type of user are you? Computer Ad Review (Terminology) Service and Warranties Where to Buy Questions? Steve Garwood Camden County Library 9/7/01
- 2. Buying a Computer Don’t Forget… You can’t know everything (and shouldn’t want to) It’s all a learning experience Buy as much as you can (but try to avoid leasing) In general the better the computer the higher the cost The day you buy something something better will come out
- 3. Buying a Computer What type of user are you?* How Experienced are you with computers? Have never owned one/don’t use one at work. Own a system that’s more than five years old/rarely used Own a system purchased after 1997/use it regularly Own a two year old computer system that can’t keep up with present demands *From Consumer Reports
- 4. Buying a Computer What type of user are you?* How do you use your current computer or plan to use a new one For basics like word processing, e-mail, and web surfing. For all of the above, plus financial management and children’s software. To manage and run a home office or home-based business To play the latest online, CD, or DVD games and/or use it for digital imaging and photo archiving. *From Consumer Reports
- 5. Buying a Computer What type of user are you?* 3. Who will be the primary user of the computer? Yourself and/or your spouse. Yourself and/or your spouse and young children. Mainly yourself in a business capacity. Yourself and your children, teenagers in particular. *From Consumer Reports
- 6. Buying a Computer What type of user are you?* 4. How many hours per week will the computer be in use? 5-10. 10-25. 25-40. 40 or more. *From Consumer Reports
- 7. Buying a Computer What type of user are you?* 5. How do you use or expect to use the Internet? Occasionally, mostly for e-mail and research. At least once a day, to check e-mail and news and to shop. Several times a day to communicate for business and to access important information and files. All the time, for entertainment and socializing. *From Consumer Reports
- 8. Buying a Computer What type of user are you?* 6. What types of software are most important to you? Web browser, word processor, and encyclopedia. A productivity suite for home-office use. All of the above plus games and financial programs. The latest DVD-based action games and/or photo-editing software. *From Consumer Reports
- 9. Buying a Computer What type of user are you?* 7. When you set up your new computer, you’d like… Goof-proof instructions and color-coded cables. Basic instructions and a user’s manual. A user’s manual perhaps, but I sort of know what I’m doing. Nothing – I can do it blindfolded. *From Consumer Reports
- 10. Buying a Computer What type of user are you?* 8. How many years’ use do you expect from a new computer? I don’t know how many I should expect. A minimum of 5 years sounds good to me. Three to Five years, and then I know I’ll need to upgrade. Until the newest must-have technology comes along. *From Consumer Reports
- 11. Buying a Computer What type of user are you?* If your PC has technical troubles, what procedure would you follow? Call the store where I bought the PC and ask for service. Call the manufacturer’s customer service number and be led step-by-step through diagnosis and repair. Have a repair person come to my home, under warranty. Consult the user’s manual and/or manufacturer’s web site and try to fix the problem myself. *From Consumer Reports
- 12. Buying a Computer What type of user are you?* 10.What do you see yourself doing on your PC in the future? Banking online and doing web shopping. Sending e-mail photos to friends and relatives. Running a small business and video-conferencing with distant colleagues. Downloading MP3 music files, using cutting-edge multimedia software, and perhaps doing some digital video editing. *From Consumer Reports
- 13. Buying a Computer Answer Key: Mostly A’s – Novice User Expect to pay $600 to $1,000 Mostly B’s or mix A’s and/or B’s – Mixed Needs Expect to pay $1,000 to $1,500 Mostly C’s or mix B’s and C’s - Experienced User Expect to pay $1,500 to $2,000 Mostly D’s or mix C’s and D’s – Power User. Expect to pay $2,000 to $3,500 What type of user are you?* *From Consumer Reports
- 14. Buying a Computer #2 Best Buy Advertisement 9/9/01 Intel Celeron 900Mhz computer package 128mb SDRAM 30 Gigabyte Hard Drive 48x Max CD-Rom Drive 8x CD-RW Drive Intel Direct 3D AGP Graphics V.90 high speed modem 15” HP .28monitor (13.8 viewable image size) Polk Audio Speakers HP Color Printer Free year MSN $1099 - $300 in rebates (4 rebates) = $799 #1 Staples Advertisement 9/9/01 Intel Celeron Processor800mhz 128mb RAM 20 Gigabyte Hard Drive 48x Max CD-Rom Drive Compaq 15” Monitor Compaq Color Printer Free year MSN $899.94 - $200 in rebates = $699 Comparing Computer Ads: #3 Gateway Website 9/9/01 Intel Pentium 4 1.6 Ghz 128mb RDRAM 40 Gigabyte Hard Drive 32x Max CD-Rom Drive 8x Max CD-RW Drive 17” Monitor (15.9 viewable image size) 64MB NVIDIA™ GeForce2 MX400 AGP Graphics 56k modem Boston Acoustics Speakers Intel Pocket PC camera Free year AOL $1299 Anyone else confused?
- 15. Buying a Computer Comparing Computer Ads Step 1 - Processor Computer #1 – Celeron 800Mhz Computer #2 – Celeron 900Mhz Computer #3 – Pentium IV 1.6 Ghz Processor – (also known as CPU) The clock speed of the processor measured in Mhz and now Ghz determines how fast the computer can operate. In general the faster you can buy the better Some Different Processors: Intel – Pentium (III, IV) and Celeron AMD – Athlon, K-6 and Duron Via Technologies – MII and Cyrix
- 16. Buying a Computer Comparing Computer Ads Step 2 - RAM First, how computers understand size Byte = 1 Character Kilobyte = 1000 Bytes (1000 characters) Megabyte = 1000 Kilobytes (1,000,000…) Gigabyte = 1000 Megabytes (1,000,000,000…)
- 17. Buying a Computer Buying a Computer Comparing Computer Ads Step 2 - RAM RAM – Random Access Memory The memory the computer uses while operating In general the more RAM the more programs the computer can run simultaneously Computers will generally come with between 64 and 256mb of RAM (Get at least 64, though 128 is better) DRAM – Current Standard SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) – Faster (Set to work with computer clock speed) RDRAM ( Rambus DRAM) – Even Faster Computer #1 – 128mb RAM Computer #2 – 128mb SDRAM Computer #3 – 128mb RDRAM
- 18. Buying a Computer Comparing Computer Ads Step 3 – Hard Drive Space Computer #1 – 20Gb Hard Drive Computer #2 – 30Gb Hard Drive Computer #3 – 40Gb Hard Drive Hard Drive Memory The computer’s long term memory The place where computer programs are stored as well as the documents, images, sound files you create. Desktop computers will generally come with 16 to 75Gb of hard drive space. Think of Hard Drive space like closet space (Can you ever really have enough?)
- 19. Buying a Computer Comparing Computer Ads Step 4 - Monitor Computer #1 – 15” Monitor Computer #2 – 15” Monitor 13.8” Viewable Computer #3 – 17” Monitor 15.9” Viewable Monitor General sizes: 15”, 17”, 19”, 20-25” 15” Standard on low priced computers Viewable area measured corner to corner 17” has viewable area generally 33% bigger than 15” Bigger the monitor the more space it takes up and the more it costs Most computers use Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) like TV Also Flat Screen (CRT) and Flat Panel (LCD) models Flat Panel monitors newest, small footprint, more expensive, picture not as bright Beware of dot-pitch – you want .28mm or less
- 20. Buying a Computer Comparing Computer Ads Step 5 – CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD CD: Plays CD music and installs programs from CD CD-R: Plays CD music, installs programs from CD, and allows you to record (burn) your own CD CD-RW: Plays CD music, installs programs from CD, and allows you to record and re-record CDs DVD: Plays CD music, install programs from CD, and Play DVD Note: DVDs will eventually totally replace CDs “ Recordable” DVD is here but very expensive…price will come down Computer #1 – 48X Max CD-ROM drive Computer #2 – 48X Max CD-ROM drive; 8x Max CD-RW Computer #3 – 48X Max CD-ROM drive; 8x Max CD-RW
- 21. Buying a Computer Comparing Computer Ads Step 6 – Printers Computer #1 – Compaq Color Printer Computer #2 – HP Color Printer Computer #3 – None Printers are generally Inkjet or Laser types Unless you run a small business get an inkjet Ink costs are your greatest enemy Printers are almost “given” with computers, if not included a printer shouldn’t cost you more than $200 if you just want basics
- 22. Buying a Computer Comparing Computer Ads Step 7 – Can you Upgrade? Upgrade the Processor? Memory Sockets Expansion slots Ports Expansion Bays Hard Drive or Storage
- 23. Buying a Computer Comparing Computer Ads Step 8 –Internet Service and Modems Your computer will either need a modem or network card to connect to the Internet Modem’s are most common and use your phone line to connect Modem’s are standard equipment and most computers will come with a V90 56K modem Network cards are used to connect to cable systems and LANs Many computers will come with a year free service Some come with rebates for signing up for long term service Computer #1 – 56k; 1yr MSN Computer #2 – 56k; 1yr MSN Computer #3 – 56k; 1yr AOL
- 24. Buying a Computer Software Software=Programs=Applications (Generally) Most computers will come prepackaged with enough software to get you started In general you’ll get: An Operating System (OS) – Windows 95/98/ME/XP An “Application Suite” such Microsoft Works – Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Database Internet Connection Software Some basic games
- 25. Buying a Computer Warranties and Service Most major companies will provide you with at least one year of service and parts warranties Most retailers will try to sell you long term warranties (that’s how they actually make money) Do you need a long term warranty? In most cases NO IF the computer might get used (read abused) it might be a good idea (Read: if you have little kids, but the warranty) Also, check into the credit card you use, you might get an additional warranty on purchases. A note on service: if it’s not convenient for you, it’s no good
- 26. Buying a Computer Where to Buy? Computer Superstores – Perhaps best shopping; fairly knowledgeable staff; Decent Service; beware of long term warranties Electronics Superstores – The person who sold stereos yesterday might be selling computers today; beware of long term warranties Home-Office Superstores – Usually smaller higher end computers; salespeople not experts Warehouse Clubs – Generally cheap, non-brand name computers Mass Merchandisers – like Kmart and Walmart; Generally lower end machines Catalog or Online Retailers – Best prices but might have to mail the computer in for service Local Computer Stores – Can be good for service, but watch out for mixed components
- 27. Buying a Computer ? ? ? Questions? Questions? Questions? ?