What to Look for When Buying a Computer

Transcription

1 What to Look for When Buying a Computer Jason Gemmill June 10, 2005

2 Overview What type of computer do you need? What brand of computer do you need? What types of things will your computer be used for? What components to you need, and how to choose them Where to purchase your computer. Title 2

3 What kind of computer do you need? There are 3 basic types of computers. The Desktop computer The Laptop computer The Tablet Computer Title 3

4 Why get a desktop? If the computer will not be moved often If many people will be using it If you need the extra power, such as video editing, and gaming. Title 4

5 Reasons to get a laptop Extremely portable Compact and idle for places where space is an issue Can be used for note taking or presentations Title 5

6 Why get a tablet? You re Tech savvy You enjoy new kinds of technology The same reasons as getting a laptop. Space is an issue Easy portability Title 6

7 What type of computer do you need? There are 2 basic types of computer PC IBM Dell HP Mac Title 7

8 Why get a PC? They are more upgradeable You can buy off the shelf parts More user friendly More software is designed for PCs than Mac s On a limited budget Title 8

9 Reasons to get a Mac You like the Mac look Very good with video editing and web design Money is no object Title 9

10 What to look for when buying a computer. RAM Motherboard and CPU Video card CD/DVD rom/burner Soundcard, network card, modem Peripherals Monitor Title 10

11 RAM RAM is your computers memory The more it has the faster it can do tasks How much should you get? Standard is 2-4GB Recommended is 8GB or higher if you have enough money Title 11

12 CPU CPU is the computers brains, also referred to as the central processing unit Processor speed is not everything. A faster processing rate depends on speed and the number of cores. A slower dual core will run at equal or faster speeds than a quicker single core. Dual (and quad) core processors are pretty much the standard now Title 12

13 Video card A video card is where you monitor plugs into and allows you to see images and text. A most video cards have there own RAM attached to them to allow them to run fast and not to interfere with your computers activities The standard video card has 64 MB of RAM, there is really no need to go higher unless you do video editing or play games Title 13

14 Motherboard The motherboard is where you put the CPU It can also have video, sound, network and places to plug in your peripherals As long as you go with a brand name component you really can go wrong Title 14

15 Optical Device Typically most computers come with a DVD burner, if it does not get one Inexpensive Practical, burn home movies and pictures on to media, DVD s are cheap 1 DVD is equivalent to over 3200 floppy discs Title 15

16 Optional components Soundcard chances are its onboard Network card if its onboard there is no need to get one Modem if you need a modem you will probably need to buy it extra Mouse and Keyboard - if you already have one then it should work out fine. If not you can purchase them almost anywhere Title 16

17 Monitors There are three types of monitors that you can purchase LCD LED Plasma Title 17

18 LCD Monitor Pros Light weight and compact Low power consumption Cons Limited viewing angle Can have brightness distorted near edge of display Not affected by screen afterimage (permanent discolouring of areas of the display) Can develop dead pixels Repairs can be difficult Title 18

19 LED Monitor Pros Large viewing angle Cons Expensive Vivid colours because of having no backlit Quality of display deteriorates over time Light weight Can suffer from screen afterimage Title 19

20 Plasma Monitor Pros Excellent colour Sharp picture Scales well into larger monitor sizes Excellent viewing angle Cons Can have glare and reflections Relatively heavy Can suffer from screen afterimage Fragile and can develop dead pixels Title 20

21 Where to buy a computer Now that you know what you want in your new computer, all that is left is to buy it. You can buy a computer 2 ways From a store in person Online Title 21

22 Purchasing in Person If you go to a store to buy a computer Make sure that you have done some research Know what you want Don t get talked into something different by a sales person Title 22

23 Recommended stores to buy from Future Shop Business Depot Group 4 Technologies Campus Tech Shop Title 23

24 Purchasing Online If you purchase online Make sure the site you are on is a well known site If you are giving your credit card number out make sure that there is an encryption lock on the page Assure that the item is authentic, not a cheap knock off Title 24

25 Recommended online stores These stores are known to be quite proficient selling computers online Title 25

26 Question & Suggestions If you have questions or a suggestion, please contact me at your leisure Jason Gemmill ahshelp@healthy.uwaterloo.ca Title 26