I have been in the IT business for over 17 years and have decided to put my two cents forth on what I have spent a lot of time doing that may appeal to many folks out there --- just what should I think about when thinking of buying a computer?

 

 

 

What is the purpose of your PC?  First question I get asked by friends is should I get a notebook/laptop or desktop PC?  MAC or IBM style (IBM which really means Microsoft Windows most likely, IBM being passe) or Linux?  By purpose I would mean what is it that you want it to do most of the time you are using it, then secondly and so on.  Most people will always say browse the internet and do email.  All computers can do this, but did you know that the CPU strength helps with things such as the time a webpage loads and processing downloads to your local computer?  In theory all things are customizable on a computer so that you could turn off a bunch of features and streamline a weak PC to be a web browser PC with a Pentium 133 running on 64Mb RAM and a weak 2 GB hard drive... lets stop there and not make this technical, because in today's low cost computers the notion of going into Tech Hell to config a PC isnt worth the time anymore... so the real question is what will you spend most of your valuable time doing on the computer and remember that time is money so I suspect you want a PC that works, works fast, and is reliable.

 

 

 

Personally I think if you have a fancy cell phone that has email then you dont need the headaches of a notebook.  And by headaches I mean the what-ifs that come from a notebook: losing it, replacing components, repair, the warranty issues of cosmetic versus internal error, etc.  A notebook in today's market is as good as any PC as long as you know you are paying a probable 50% premium.  Portability is an issue since a battery life may last around two and a half hours, plus or minus is all cost related (you can add a second battery usually at a cost of another accessory such as a DVD drive, and the cost itself as well as additional weight).  Personally I do not understand the huge 17" notebooks that require a $400 docking station... at such a point I would argue the cost is exceptional versus the value of just getting a PC.  For me the best value notebook is a micro or subnotebook that is very light and very portable.  If you have a blackberry or smart PDA style phone why the notebook?  Portability is valid -- I have a friend that wants to observe his daughter's use of a computer and does not want her in the basement where the only home PC is, that is a valid reason that I think should trump negativities.  Sinc he already has a PC in the basement why by a second one after all?  But most folks I know do not use their notebooks on the train, in the park, to the library, but rather they sit in the same spot 24/7/365.   The compactness of the keyboard and monitor can be a space saver in theory.  The negatives are the usage factor where a notebook wear and tear is a lot more costly to deal with than a desktop PC's easily replaced $10 USB keyboard... most notebook users dont like the mouse like pointer built in and end up buying an external mouse similar to one they would use on a desktop anyway... there are cute accessories to notebooks and again this is all cost ramping:  the additional briefcase, the most likely needed second power adapter (so many times left the one at work and need another for home),  and the docking station, some folks get another monitor at the desk to connect the laptop two...   I have had experiences where a laptop gets too hot to touch!  Imagine that!  We had to put cork on the wrist wrest parts after a couple hours of usage!  There are software configuration difficulties as well since most device drivers are unique to a particular notebook which makes support a little more difficult.  Harware is absolutely part specific so that a certain Dell requires only a certain internal DVD player type which can ramp costs. 

 

A quick note on warranties for laptops -- pay attention to the fact that cosmetic damage is often an additional warranty not covered and is in my opinion an absolute must for students and people that like to take the laptop to the public hot spots.  Coffee all over that laptop causing it to fail?  Most likely you just lost the whole thing to a massive repair, time and money out the door.  I know of a case where a guy just bought a nice $4k laptop, and took it to a coffee shop where it fell off the table and smashed its corner of the screen as well as ceased to function... that is not covered.  He could not get his money back nor do anything but pay for all the repairs necessary.  Also watch for third party warranties that are not from the manufacturer as this can cause a lot of pain.  A laptop that needs to be sent back to a repair depot means you could be without it for a week!  Next day or same day if possible exchanges can be a godsend when things go wrong (note the software and personal data issues of this type of event).

 

All in all my point is that often a laptop is simply not needed and most often is chosen for the bling factor.  Study the purpose of the notebook and make a classic left side right side of a piece of paper argument for the laptop putting everything you need for getting a laptop on the left side and everything you need for a desktop on the right.  Personally I like a desktop PC and good PDA style cell phone for the balance, the cell phones now becoming really cool and useful for browsing and emailing... a desktop allows a user the ability to upgrade and advance the hardware over time, if that is your thang.  For most users getting a low end unit and never opening the case is the best path.  In that notion for either a laptop or a desktop, the operating system then becomes very important as seen next.

 

 

Given the rise in popularity of MAC (Apple) and my ingorance other than working with graphic designers and their MacBooks I would use the age old argument that most software is written for IBM PC which gives it a basic user advantage -- however MAC has all the same programs and it may just boil down to what one is familiar with already.  Let me interrupt by saying what used to be an IBM designation is really misleading because what people are talking about is Microsoft operating system based Personal Computers, again I do not want to be technical in this guide but when you hear IBM PC it is really Microsoft Windows.  The MAC has a new feature called Boot Camp that lets you run IBM programs on it and this adds a lot to the appeal.  MACs are very popular with their users, my brother just got one and is quickly falling in love with the whole scene.  Understand in my opinon the fact that less than 5% of viruses are written for the MAC means like my brother that those that are getting killed with online adware malware and all the other bad things on internet websites have a lot to gain with a MAC.  Apple has the highest rated support of any manufacturer.  Prices very across the board but the Apple laptops are extremely magnificent to behold.  It is hard to argue against a MAC unless you are familiar with the Windows environment and have software already in the Windows world... hey, I admit to knowing Apple but I cannot challenge its place as a great first computer in a home.  Windows puts you in a world of hurt, where as my late 70 year old mother says about Windows, "why do I have to hit Start to stop the computer" -- once you go Windows you have to abandon logic at the boot up... Vista and any new operating system from Microsoft is going to challenge your ability to run a PC.  The MAC ads are very keen to the reality of "dealing" with your PC as a Windows user.  I have spent so much time since the first version of Windows that I have come to understand Microsoft speak, and the inner working of the operating system.  There are some aspects to the Windows environment that just work well.  It is the preferred system of businesses and this is in my opinion because of the Microsoft Office Suite (which is available on MAC as well).  Windows XP is the best Operating System but is becoming unavailable without complications (Dell has a downgrade program).  I do know that for tweakers and people that like to mess with their hardware then the IBM PC is the way to go... but for a basic eBayer it is hard to say avoid a MAC because of the ease at which you will be up and running from first set up.  Linux is to be avoided if you are a novice in my opinion.  With all my experience I still find Linux difficult to mount drives, load applications, and get drivers to talk to hardware... In summary for a basic new to the personal computer experience a nice MAC is going to keep you on target. For someone wanting to do a little more and can handle the world of illogic, welcome yourself into the IBM -- Microsoft PC world.  I just cannot see telling someone that Vista is better than Apple's MAC operating system called MAC OS Leopard X.  With Boot Camp you lose the past worry of not being able to run IBM applications... without personal experience on the Boot Camp I cannot qualify its success but as with anything Apple it just works.  Meaning you dont have to... in the Microsoft world you will have to work... work on adding the new printer drivers, work on why Outlook wont talk to Outlook Express, work on the difference on an address book versus a contact list.  Its funny but the Windows environment is like the old VW Van, those that have them think they are great but only because they have had to deal with rebuilding the engine so many times they cant help but know every nuance of the beast!

 

 

After dealing a long time with a Dell reseller I agreed with his comment that the modern PC comes down to two expense differences really, one is the CPU and the the other is the Video.  The CPU, Central Processing Unit, is the main component to your computing needs and most often is an Intel or AMD.  All other hardware components are pay to scale up, in other words you pay more for more hard drive space and pay more for more RAM etc. [Without checking RAM is so cheap that there is no reason to get less than 2Gb, understand that Windows XP will not see past 3.5Gb anyway, and Vista can carry much more and works best with 4 to 6GB!  Hard Drives get cheaper every day with a good 300Gb costing about $50!]. The CPU is attributable to your purpose, the more you want to do then the more you should buy.  If you want anything I would start with a dual core CPU.  There are low end PCs now standard to the dual core.  There is a whole battery of technical differences on CPU power (clock cycle to frequency bus blah blah blah) but for anyone doing anything simple a dual core is just fine.  Quad core is exactly as sounds, twice your dual core.  And in the same logic for cost would cost more... the more CPU strength then the higher the cost.  What is nice about dual core and beyond is that in my estimation any dual core is going to get you were you need to go.  I am using a Pentium 4 of the prior generation and I have not had a single issue because I have ramped up my RAM and Video to accomodate this.  Video is a pay for more and get more simple equation.  Video carries two aspects, the type of card and the amount of RAM specific to the video.  If you do not carry about graphics being used for games than any simple computer with its usually integrated video (meaning the memory is tagged to the hard drive) will do.  Otherwise open the door because that card will cost anywhere from $100 to $500 depending on what you want out of it.  I have the NVIDIA 8800GTX 512mb RAM which I like for my gaming.  In gaming the better the video the better the playing and actually effects your results.  The more the RAM the more the cost as well... the simplest reality to graphics cards is the scale of the model goes up with cost.  A 6600 is much cheaper than a 8800 etc.  Unless one is gaming or doing production video (although a client of mine doing Sony Vegas music video editing ran into problems with the higher end video card because of the complexity of rendering, again we are avoiding tech speak as this all is just tip of the iceberg computer buying guide) then simply go with the included video.  I think a monitor should be included in your PC cost.  Speakers, keyboard, mouse should all come with it and understood for their simplicity when they do come with the unit.  Tossing in a printer is nice but they tend to be the crap variety that costs more in ink than cavier does per ounce.  Beware of the cheap inkjet printer that your kid can cost you 75 cents a page printing cartoonnetwork.com webpages in full color... been there, done that.  On a side note, a black and white laser printer for home can rock on saving printing costs...

 

For cost shopping I like looking at websites for comparable deals.  No offence to eBay but I run the gammit of regular vendors from DELL to NewEgg.com.  eBay has so many good low end deals that one can always cut and paste the model and look at google to see what the market is paying.  Cost has a factor similar to the problems with a notbook, sometimes it all boils down to what happens if the thing stops working.  That transcends all models, what you paid for it etc.  The same with a car, porsche to chevy, the question is how fast can you get back up and driving?  Warranty plays a huge roll in this as same day or next day inhouse service can be a godsend to whatever you buy.  Think about this carefully since a warranty upcharge could cost as much as 30% or more of your original PC choice.  So you buy a basic dual core Win VISTA box for $500 and then spend $200 on next day inhouse (meaning they come to your location without the hassle of boxing it up and sending to a repair depot) repair.  Then that repair if it is determined not covered will still cost you the hardware and perhaps labor to fix, not to mention down time itself.  So really after all the thinking of what to buy it really comes down to they all break, they all have some problem, so how fast and cheap can you get up and running?  A manufacture warranty is the only way to make this happen.  I have heard horror stories of BestBuy toying with a repair for weeks.  I have had a friend get the dumbest tech support from DELL telling him to reformat his laptop which he did but only to later think, "wait, what was all the software on it again?".  Having the peace of mind knowing that WHEN something fails you can make a call and get a guaranteed repair schedule is a primary goal in PC ownership. 

 

For Cost subject we have not talked software but mostly hardware, focusing on the CPU and Video.  A lot of people want word processing etc to run on their PC.  Rather than go out and get the Microsoft Office suite or such think hard and long about downloading the free OpenOffice from Sun [OpenOffice.org].  This is an open source free suite and for most kids homework and basic spreadsheet stuff you just saved anywhere from $100 to $700.  Understand you get what you pay for, and some of the bling is gone, but I always say scale up and into the more expensive stuff only when you think you need it.  Too many users buy the expensive stuff and find out they really dont need or use anywhere near all the features that an application has.  There are academic versions and the such that are cheaper, and there are basic versions of antivirus (Avast) and cd burning (Nero) software that all mean less features.  DO NOT play the pirated software game!  That same client that does production videos had weeks of failed DVDs, called coasters because that is all they become good for, because of a not legal software issue where the program put a rootkit on the pc and dialed to the application's maker that he was using a hack.  And the sites that sell the pirate stuff will kill your PC 9 times out of 10... just dont go there.  You wont get support and you could in some unprobable way get busted perhaps. 

 

 

 

Summarizing that we know how big the warranty is, and how much it means to getting up because in the computer world it really is all about the down time.  Third party warranties often come cheaper but will not benefit you as much as the Original Equipment Manufacture warranty.  DELL for example has a three year warranty which I think is as far ahead as one needs assuming that after three years technology will obsolete your computer anyway and off it goes as a hand-me-down to your younger sibling or kid or a charitable give away.  True story, working with the Salvation Army as a client in the 90's they had received a huge 100 PC donation from a local Chicao Pharma company and it turned out the computers had nothing inside of them, just empty cases... shame.  Tax deduction jerks.

 

We like Apple because they have really come on strong for several reasons one of which is that Vista is not as good as first hoped, and that they have excellent customer service, and there are little to no viruses being thrown their way.

 

We know that cost is really the CPU and Video, all other components are pay as you want more.  A DVD burner is a nice thing because it can hold 4Gb of data which is important for backing up you pictures and other important data.  An external USB hard drive is not that expensive but is also a mechanical thing and can get lost or fail as well... DVDs tend to be good throw in the bookshelf backups.  Buying a computer can be as complicated as the user wants it to be.  Looking at eBay I see a lot of great deals in the $200 plus range for DELLs and the such.  But without a warranty coverage, it is a risk.  For a guy like me who can swap out all the internal components, knows what thermal paste is in case the CPU has not been set right, can change a power supply (and get one with LED lights cause thats just the kewl thang), then these cheap PCs at their price with no warranty arent such a bad thing.

 

But if you do not want to deal with what you know is going to be a "between problems" experience in owning a PC then I would focus on the warranty repair type. 

 

Well that ends this guide which I can already tell is too verbose... I will constantly edit it as time passes because I can never stand my first drafts of anything.  I will say this as I go to get my CompTIA certifications this week, there is way to much working in a computer for what the end user needs to know, these things can get way over complicated when all you wanted to do was freaking boot it up and read one email from your college buddy... I know people hate the car comparison, but frankly I could never tell you how the combustion engine works, pistons fire, but I can tell you when something doesnt "feel" right about that same car.  Same with a PC, you will eventually be in tune with your PC and get a vibe when something isnt right.  Over time that vibe builds and you become, get ready, a computer user.

 

User used.  Power on, boot up, log in, open application, read email, and shut down.  Then one day the email application will say "program not found, error"... that is when the tech support comes in regardless of your PC maker, brand, or cost.

 

Best error ever?  "KEYBOARD NOT FOUND.  PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE"

 

More to come....