subject: New Computer Upgrade For Christmas [print this page] Nearly 95% of households in American have at least one desktop personal computer (Desktop PC) or laptop. You must take time and plan your purchase carefully when looking to buy a computer. Do you need a gaming machine or a cheap computer for surfing websites, uploading documents or photos, and playing games such as those on Facebook?
Computers are in nearly every house these days. They're actually more popular than televisions in some households. In fact they even take the place of most other forms of entertainment in the majority of American households. Thanks to streaming video sites such as Netflix, YouTube, and most news websites; many people watch their favorite movies and television shows directly from their computer.
Features are perhaps the most important thing to take into consideration when buying a computer. Highly sought-after features include:
Memory or RAM: This type of memory doesn't store things long-term; it is the short-term memory that makes things run smoothly on the screen. More RAM means better performance for programs, graphics and surfing the internet. RAM is calculated in Gigabytes, or GB. Aim for at least 2 to 4GB of RAM.
HDD: The HDD or Hard Drive Disk (or simply HD or Hard Drive) is where all of your programs and data are stored. Unlike RAM, the HDD holds programs long term and stores things until the data is destroyed or deleted. The smallest recommended hard drive size is 500GB;
GHz: GHz, or Gigahertz, describes the swiftness of the CPU that actually processes information within the personal computer. The minimum recommended is 2GHz; people who play video games or run other burdensome programs on their personal computer usually need 3 or 4GHz for sound functionality.
Graphics Cards: Most "out of the box" computers have an onboard graphics card built in; this simply means it can display 2D games, videos, and websites with ease. Some may even be able to display 3D graphics, but this is often very taxing on the computer. Gamers often purchase a graphics card separately.
Other Peripherals: A CD or DVD drive is required if you intend to install programs on your new computer; which is the target, right? Look for the ability to write, rewrite and read. Terms like 16X means 16 speed; look for something with at least 16X to 32X so you can write to CDs and DVDs quickly.
Operating System: The most important part to consider when you plan to buy a computer is the operating system. Most companies include a copy of the latest operating system such as Windows 7 Home, Windows 7 Home Premium, or Windows Vista.
Stick to a Reliable Name Brand
Don't fall prey to the hype! Many off-brand names offer some incredible "deals" on computers; the problems begin when you realize the pc needs some work but the company you purchased from is out of business. Always buy from a trusted, reliable source that you know has been in business for a long time.
Read all reviews about the pc before you buy it. Don't just buy something because it's cheap. If all else fails, ask a trusted friend or advisor before you buy a computer. Show them the ad and ask them to help make sure you're purchasing something that won't make you regret it later.
