Buying and Upgrading Your Computer System. Developing Your Own Microcomputer System. Get Started the Right Way. Analyzing Needs.

Transcription

1 Get Started the Right Way Buying and Upgrading Your Computer System The Right Way Determine your needs Make sure the computer will run the software you plan to use The Wrong Way Buying a computer based on price only Being swayed by salespeople or advertisements 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide 2 The Buyer s Guide Developing Your Own Microcomputer System Analyzing Needs Work Needs Analysis Kinds of Processing Today 2-3 Years from Now Budget Funds Available vs. Actual Costs Money Available Now Anticipated Funds in Future Slide 3 Slide 4 Analyzing Needs Software Needs System, Utilities, Applications Current Uses Future Changes Hardware Needs Processor, Types, Peripherals Present Specifications Future Expansion Requirements Hardware and Software Factors Plug-and-Play Hardware Installing Software Software Specifications Equipment Maintenance Security Measures Technical Assistance Backup Procedures Slide 5 Slide 6 1

2 Evaluating Alternatives Compare Needs Analysis to Software and Hardware Availability Test Functionality of Software and Hardware Design an Expandable System Workshops Computer Clubs Computer Shows Periodicals Books Electronic Media Where to Learn More About Microcomputers Slide 7 Slide 8 Choose the Right Hardware Understanding the following hardware components will help in making a good decision about which computer to buy: Processors Memory Hard disks Internal and/or external drives Monitors and video cards Speakers and sound cards Modems and network cards Keyboards and mice Uninterruptible power supply 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide 9 Slide 10 Mac Relies on the mouse for program control Excellent for publishing, music, graphics, illustrations, and Web site design More expensive than PCs Less software available Only Apple Inc. produces Macs Mac or PC? PC More keyboard shortcut keys than a Mac Excellent for business and engineering purposes Cheaper than Macs More software available Produced by many companies Can run Linux operating system on the same drive Both Easy-to-use GUI interface Major applications available Word processing, spreadsheets, databases, Web browsing, and Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide 11 Where to Buy Computer Systems What are disadvantages and advantages of each source Computer Stores Other Retail Stores The Internet Mail-Order Firms Manufacturers Value-Added Resellers Slide 12 2

3 Local Stores vs. Mail-Order/Online Companies When buying from a local store, problems can be resolved quickly by going back to the store Consider the following when ordering through the mail or online The company s return policy Shipping and handling charges Technical support Compare similar systems when getting price quotes Wise Shopping Tips Browse Web sites to comparison shop before buying No salesperson to sway your opinion Saves time and money (travel time and transportation costs) Read reviews about computer products in magazines and online Ask reliable, knowledgeable people about computer products Get quotes of several systems before buying Know what components and accessories you want before you buy Only buy from reliable sources 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide 14 Buying Used or Refurbished The Upgrader s Guide Used computers are available through classified ads, auctions, local sources, online, and mail-order catalogs They are usually cheaper than a new system Buying used computers is risky No warranty or tech support unless refurbished by the manufacturer The price may be higher than the actual value Upgrading Your Own Microcomputer System 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide 15 Slide 16 Upgrading Your System Upgrading refers to adding new hardware to the system to improve performance Upgrading may violate the computer s warranty Check the owners manual for hardware compatibility and installation instructions Wear a grounding strap on your wrist to prevent static electricity from destroying the computer chips Upgrading A System If and When to Upgrade Performance Needs What Performance Needs Upgrading Performance Analysis Storage Capacity Who Should Do Upgrade Professional Yourself 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide 17 Slide 18 3

4 Upgrading Software Factors Suite or Integrated Package Version or Release Compatibility Forward Backward Cross Upgrading Hardware Factors Speed, Memory and Performance Storage Capacity Add-In Board Features Slide Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide 20 Adding Expansion Cards and Upgrading Memory Adding expansion boards: Insert expansion boards in the correct type of slot (ISA, PCI, AGP) Gently but firmly press the board into the slot Upgrading memory: Determine which memory module (SIMM, DIMM, RIMM), type of memory (DRAM, SDRAM, RDRAM), and memory speed (66 MHz, 100 MHz, 133 MHz) your computer uses Snap the module into place Caring for Your Computer System Use a surge protector to protect the system from power surges Consider purchasing a UPS Don t plug appliances into the same outlet as the computer Don t block air flow around the computer system Switch power off when adding and removing cables and components Make sure cables aren t stretched or mashed by furniture 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide 22 Caring for Your Computer System Clean your computer, printer, mouse, keyboard, and monitor properly Don t eat or drink near the computer Follow proper shut-down procedures Defragment the hard disk regularly Run a virus checker frequently Stay abreast of technology innovations Periodically review your computer needs analysis Plan ahead well in advance of updating software and hardware A Look to the Future 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide 24 4

5 Participation Question What four steps in proper sequence are necessary for buying a computer with appropriate capabilities? A. Needs analysis, budget, software needs, hardware needs B. Software needs, processing analysis, budget, hardware needs C. Needs analysis, software needs, hardware needs, budget D. Hardware needs, processing needs, software needs, budget E. Needs analysis, software needs, budget, hardware needs Participation Question Which supplier would you buy from if your main concerns were knowledge, technical service and warranty support? A. Computer Stores B. Other Retail Stores C. Manufacturers D. Mail-Order Firms E. Value-Added Resellers 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide 26 Participation Question What should you do when deciding if you should upgrade your computer system? A. Decide if and when to upgrade B. Analyze what performance needs upgrading C. Determine who should do the upgrade D. All of the above E. A and B 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc Slide 27 5