The Customers Guide To Buying A New Computer

Buying a new computer today depends on a lot of things. But the overriding factor, perhaps, is budget. Recent technology advances have brought down the prices for most of the computer's internal components, and there is no good reason why one shouldn’t have a capable machine for under or around $500. This is good news for those brought to bear under the current economic malaise. Do Check: Why Buying A Cheaper Computer May Be A False Economy What the computer is to be used for is another important factor. Most people would want a computer for basic Web surfing, handling email, doing homework, record keeping and the such. Others would want a machine that could carry the heft of the multimedia possibilities, playing games, editing photos or video, downloading and burning music and movies. A little technical stuff will help the buyer in a good way. This article will explain components making up a basic computer model that could be had for around $500. The computer's main component is the CPU (central processing unit) chip. Today’s basic computer would have a CPU made by standard bearer Intel, or its sister AMD. Two-core or quad-core means the CPU acts as ’2 CPUs’ or ’4 CPUs’ at one time. This is good for the multitasking involved in games and video, and other heavy processing tasks. The CPU processes billions of bytes of data, gigabytes (GB), per second. ‘Hz’ stands for ‘hertz’, one processing cycle. An average, good performing computer would have a processing speed around 2-GHz, or less. The other important component is memory. There are two kinds, RAM memory and the hard drive. While it is working, the CPU stores everything temporarily in RAM. Today’s RAM typically comes in the form of DDR-2 chips, ‘DDR’ standing for ‘double data rate.’ Using RAM sticks with 1 GB storage capability, and depending on the computer’s operating system, the basic computer will have one or two sticks of 1 GB RAM. Optimal operating systems, such as Windows Vista, or Windows 7, require 2 to 4 GB. The more RAM the computer has, the better runs the CPU. Data is permanently stored on the computer’s hard drive. Technology on hard drives has improved explosively. Storage space has become cheap, with 250 GB, 500 GB, and terabyte (1,000 GB) drives becoming common. The budget machine would easily have around a 500 GB hard drive. These components make up the basic computer. Adding to them the mouse, keyboard, and monitor results in the basic 'desktop.' Several other accessories are standard with this model. They include a DVD-RW drive for reading and writing CDs and DVDs, USB ports for hooking up USB components, and a modem for internet connectivity. All this can be had for, around, $500, and enhanced for a few hundred more. Today's trend, influenced by the tablature design, is to pack the components into one unit with the monitor, the all-in-one model. The jury is still out on this phenomenon, but it certainly bears watching. The desktop model enables easy, accessible care and repair, and pretty good affordability. Dell Inspiron 15R 1570MRB 15.6-Inch Laptop (Mars Black) will be the perfect fit for those who are looking to buy computer within the $500 price mark. Looking for computer stores Perth? Austin Computers have 6 convenient locations across the Perth Greater Metro area, and if you ever need computer repairs, upgrades or servicing each store has it’s own service center.