How to Buy a Personal Computer

1
How to Buy aPersonal Computer

• Digital Media Center

2
Topics of Todays Workshop

• Introduction
• PC vs. Macintosh
• Where to buy your computer
• Components of a computer
• Computer buying checklist
• Protect your investment

 
3
Introduction

• There are many different kinds of computers to
  choose from and finding the one that is right for
  you and fits your budget can be difficult
• The purpose of this workshop is to describe the
  parts of the computer, the benefits and pitfalls
  of these parts so that you can make an educated
  decision on your computer purchase
• This workshop is designed to assist you in buying
  a home computer and will not cover portable
  computers or laptops

 
4
PC vs. Macintosh

• The PC is more widely used in the home and
  business, and there is much more software
  available for the PC compared to the Macintosh.

 
5
Where to buy your PC

• The prices any three different computer sellers
  is likely to be competitive. As with any product,
  you get what you pay for. A cheaper computer may
  contain cheaper parts that are more likely to
  fail
• If your computer should fail or stop working it
  is important to know how to get help
• Two things to check for with any purchase, that
  many people overlook are
• Does the manufacturer have a toll free technical
  support phone number?
• Does the company charge for using the technical
  support?

 
6
Components of a computer

• CPU
• Processor (CPU) types
• Processor Speed
• Which processor is best
• RAM (Memory)
• Cache
• Motherboard
• Case

• Disk Drives
• Hard drive
• Floppy disk drive
• CD ROM drive
• DVD drive
• Tape backup drive
• High capacity removable storage

 
7
Components of computer (continued)

• Input devices
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Joystick
• Scanners
• Cameras

• Output devices
• Monitor
• Video card
• Printer
• Sound card
• Modem

 
8
Computer buying checklist

• Processor type 686, Pentium, K6, Pentium II
• Processor speed in Mhz 166, 200, 233, 266, 300,
  350, 400, 450 
• RAM (Memory) at least 32 MB, 72 pin simms or
  168 pin dimms. EDO or SDRAM
• Cache at least 256 KB
• Case tower or desktop
• Hard Drive Capacity is it at least 2 GB?
• Does it have multimedia capabilities? For
  example, CD ROM, sound card, and speakers
• CD ROM at least 8x speed

 
9
Computer buying checklist (continued)

• Sound card is it 16 bit Sound Blaster
  compatible?
• Mouse two or three button
• Monitor is monitor included in price of system?
• Monitor non-interlaced, size measured in
  inches 15, 17, 19, 21
• Monitor Dot Pitch .28 inch dot pitch or lower
• Video Card is at least 2 MB of DRAM? VRAM is
  better
• Does it come with a printer?
• Choosing a printer dot matrix, ink or bubble
  jet, laser

10
Computer buying checklist (continued)

• Modem at least 33.6 Kbps, 56.6 Kbps is better
• Modem Does it have faxing and voice mail
  capabilities?
• Motherboard Number of expansion slots.
• Have you bought a surge protector?
• Is there a toll-free technical support phone
  number?

 
11
Protect your investment

• Surge protector a surge protector will blow a
  fuse if it gets hit by a surge of electricity
  (power spikes), thus protecting your computer
  from being fried
• If you are using a modem, be sure to get a surge
  protector with a telephone jack included
• Against a direct lightning strike, a surge
  protector will not do much good. The only sure
  protection against lightning strikes is to unplug
  your computer and modem during thunderstorms

 
12
Protect your investment (continued)

• Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) protects against
  surges and power outages. It contains a battery
  backup which will keep your computer running for
  a short time after the power goes out
• You will have enough time to save your work and
  turn off the computer before the battery runs out
• This is something you will be thankful for after
  you have typed about ten pages and the power goes
  off