Buying a computer today
Sometimes, all of the terms related to buying a computer are confusing. Here is some information that might be helpful if you are thinking about buying a computer. Processor: By far the most popular chip is the Intel Pentium processor chip. The Intel Celeron is the name of the value line of chips that will reduce the price of your computer overall. AMD makes high performance (Athlon 64), mainstream (Athlon XP) and value (Sempron, Duron) lines of processors that are good alternatives to the Intel Pentium and Celeron line of chips. Intel Celerons and AMD Semprons are good for basic processing needs like web surfing, writing papers, and email. For heavier processing loads, a faster Intel Pentium, AMD Athlon 64, or AMD Athlon XP will be needed. Intel Pentium processors come in several different speeds. The faster they are, the more you pay. The popular speed range today runs from 2.4 gigahertz to 3.6 gigahertz. You need to decide if the premium price for the faster speed is worth it. Purdue University, in 2003, bought the 2.4 GHz chip. In 2004, Intel moved to a model number system to describe the features of their processors. For example, the 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 is known as the 'Pentium 4 540', and the 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 is the ‘Pentium 4 550'. Celerons have model numbers that start with 3, for example the Celeron 325 operates at 2.53 GHz. Memory: This is the storage the computer uses to do its calculations, so the more the better. 128 MB (megabytes) should be the absolute minimum you buy. 256 MB is better; 512 MB is recommended to make best use of the current Windows software. For heavy processing loads, 1 GB of memory may help out performance. Hard Drive: This is where your programs are stored and where you will be storing any files you create, such as letters that you write, pictures you scan and save, etc. 40 GB (gigabytes) is about the smallest offered on most computers today, and it is a huge amount of space. It is probably more than you will ever use, but you can get an 80 GB hard drive for only a few dollars more. Floppy Drive: This will allow you to use those little 3 ½" x 3 ½" disks you can carry around in your pocket. CD-ROM: You need a CD-ROM because that is how you will buy most programs that you want to load on your computer. This also lets you play music on your computer. If you want to be able to make music CDs on your computer, you need to have a writable CD called a CD-RW for CD read write. CD-RW drives don't cost much more than the plain CD-ROM. An alternative to the CD-ROM drive is a DVD drive. This drive will play CDs in addition to DVD movie disks. You need to decide if you intend to watch movies on your computer. A few companies offer a DVD drive that will record DVD disks, but they are new and very expensive. Operating System: Almost any computer you buy today will have Windows XP for the operating system. It is what you will want.
Application Software: These are the programs that are installed on your computer when you buy it. Usually you have no choice but to get the computer with Microsoft Works. This does not have the Microsoft Word word processing program, but has a similar word-processing program and may include programs like Microsoft Money to help you budget and invest, and Microsoft Roads and Streets to help you plan trips. All are good programs, but don't pay extra for more software. As a Purdue employee, you are eligible to get deep discounts on Microsoft software at the copy center in the Memorial Union. That should be your first choice for additional software. They will sell you Microsoft Office 2003 for $13.00 compared to over $300.00 at a store downtown. Monitor: This is the screen that you will be looking at. You will probably be sorry if you buy less than a 17-inch monitor. Flat screens LCD monitors are very nice and are standard on many computers. You can save money by buying an older CRT monitor. The picture on both is very good, but the CRT monitor takes up more space. Video: This is the electronics that puts the picture on your monitor. You can take what comes on the computer and be very happy unless you are very serious about games or working with graphics. If that is the case, you are probably computer savvy enough to select the high-end video system that you want. Mouse: Take what comes with the computer. If you want a special shaped mouse, you can go to the office supply store and buy it later. Sound: Unless your computer is also going to be your home stereo, the sound card built in to your computer will be fine. Speakers: Similar to sound. You will want speakers, but the minimum cost speakers will be fine unless you plan to use your computer as your home stereo. Case: Unless you think that you are going to be adding lots of options to your computer in the next year or two, think small. Wherever you put it, it will probably be in the way. So smaller is better. Expansion slots: These hold cards that get installed inside the computer for adding additional capabilities. Three are plenty. You will probably never use any of them.Network adaptor: Most new computers include a network adaptor. You will never use it unless you have more than one computer at home and want to network them or unless you install what is called Broadband high-speed Internet access in your home. Modem: Most of you will want a 56K modem installed in your computer. This is how the computer dials in to a network that you have joined to give you e-mail and access to the Internet, such as AOL or MSN. Warranty: One year parts and labor is normal. You can usually pay extra to get the warranty for a full three years. Purdue does not sell computers but has negotiated good pricing for employees and students with several computer companies. Information about these deals can be found at the web site: http://www.itap.purdue.edu/shopping/online/hardware/