Buying A Personal Computer System

1

• Buying A Personal Computer System

2
Lesson Outline

• Learn what to look for in buying a PC
• Text reference
• Pages 444-456
• This material will be tested on the Final Exam

3
To Buy or Not to Buy?

• Seems like computers just keep getting faster and
  better. Is this true?
• Moores Law
• Intel co-founder Gordon Moore predicted in 1965
  that the number of transistors in a CPU would
  increase so fast that processing capacities would
  double every 18 months
• Equivalent to putting 10 cents in a bank account
  in 1965
• Today, it would be worth more than 3.3 million!

4
Steps to a Successful Personal Computer Purchase

• Step One Analyze needs
• What do you need the computer to do?
• Desktop or mobile? Tablet? Media center?
• Multimedia or gaming?
• Whats your budget?
• For Assignment 2, its 1,600 for everything
• Step Two Determine software needs
• Driven by outcome of Step One
• Determines some of the hardware requirements
• Example MS Office 2003 Standard edition requires
• Pentium III recommended
• 128 MB RAM
• Over 500 MB hard disk space
• CD-ROM or DVD drive
• SVGA monitor (600x800)

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Steps to a Successful Personal Computer Purchase

• Step Three Look at Whats Available
• Software - by function, brand (NAU has deals on
  some SW)
• Hardware - by function, brand
• Intel chip or AMD?
• PC-compatible or Mac? (Dell has largest market
  share at 35 Apple has smallest at 2)
• Compatible with school or workplace?
• Security issues (most viruses target Windows)
• Step Four Choose System Components
• Suggested minimums (from WSJ Tech Columnist
  Walter Mossberg)
• 512 MB RAM
• 60-80 GB hard drive
• USB 2.0 ports (at least one on front)
• Pentium M for laptop AMD Athlon, Pentium 4 or
  Celeron
• Separate video card (inside system unit) and
  dedicated video memory

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Additional Considerations

• Hardware
• Monitor
• Flat panel
• Secondary Storage
• CD-RW/DVD
• Flash memory cards
• Keyboard, mouse
• Wireless
• Printer
• Modem or network card
• Expansion slots USB 2.0
• Wireless
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

• Software
• Does the package have all needed features?
• What are the hardware requirements?
• Do you have enough secondary storage space?
• Is it easy to learn and use?

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Laptop Considerations

• Size and weight
• Some lightweight machines dont have floppy disk
  drives
• Check keyboard size and key locations (insert,
  del, home, page up/down)
• Screen
• Minimum 12 inch viewable area
• Resolution (at least 1,024 x 768 pixels)
• Battery Life
• Used as a desktop replacement?
• Docking bay/port replicator

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Operating Issues

• How will file backups be done?
• Is electrical surge protection needed?
• Is security a concern?
• Physical
• User (passwords)

• Do you need virus protection?
• What will you do in case repair is needed?

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Assignment 2

• Complete Checklist for pricing
• Suggested websites
• Dell.com, Outpost.com, newegg.com
• Apple.com, cnet.com
• If you build your own, list all the sites for
  your parts
• Complete word document describing your decision
  and key features of your chosen system.
• Turn in filled-in assignment sheet and word
  document