What to focus on when buying a new computer

01-08-2009 | Alan Royal

I have previously advised against buying a new computer as long as your present machine is doing what you want.

Some of the reasons for this advice include the need to come to grips with a rapidly changing technology in terms of hardware and new learning curves and compatibility issues with new software.

Below are what, in my view, are the main features to be considered when you do make the decision to buy a new computer.

Forget about brand names. Today's computers are all robust. The additional specifications are, in most cases, unlikely to benefit many of the type of operations that you will use.

The most important component to look for is memory - called RAM. You can buy a cheaper machine and add RAM. RAM is a relatively cheap addition. My choice is to go for a minimum of 2GB of RAM, but preferably 4GB. An off-the-shelf machine with 4GB of RAM usually has more powerful built-in components.

Assuming that you will be buying a Windows Vista computer (unless you are going to hang out until late October for a Windows 7 system), go for a minimum of Windows Vista Home Premium. If you buy a Vista machine now you can request an upgrade voucher for Windows 7. My preference would be to hold off and get Windows 7 as the operating system, rather than having to upgrade.

One issue with Vista is that several programmes that ran on Windows XP will not run on Vista. The good news is that Microsoft has stated, with some confidence, that if your software runs on Vista it will run on Windows 7.

The most confusing aspect of computer buying is the processor - should it be an Intel or AMD processor? The experts will produce charts and graphs to prove one is better than the other - faster than the other, smarter than the other. Unless you're a scientist doing massive number crunching calculations, you won't notice any difference between Intel "Duo" and AMD Dual Core processors.

Your graphic adapter or "video card" (simplistically) determines what and how fast you see images on your PC screen. Preferably, do not buy a computer with a graphics adapter integrated into the computer's mainboard and using some of your installed RAM to operate. This means that whatever amount of RAM you have installed, some of it will be diverted to your graphics adapter, and this means your computer will not be able to take advantage of the entire RAM that is installed.

A separate graphics adapter or graphics card uses its own separate RAM which is part of the adapter itself. Note, though, that computers with integrated graphics adapters are cheaper than those with stand-alone graphics adapters. Almost always, computers with separate graphics adapters will outperform those with integrated ones.

The bigger the hard drive the more data it holds. Yeah, right. Some big hard drives are faster than others. You'll probably want at least a 320GB hard drive in a laptop and a 500+ GB hard drive in a desktop. Hard-drive speed is measured in RPM (revolutions per minute). The more RPM the faster your hard drive will be. At present, hard-drive speeds average 7200. You can find them faster than that. Should you pay more for a 9600 RPM hard drive or save the money and go with the 7200 RPM hard drive? Save your money. You probably wouldn't notice a difference.

If spending extra money on a new computer, consider RAM, graphics adapter and hard drive first and don't worry about the processor.

Lastly - compare prices. There are some good bargains out there.

  Printable View