Considerations for buying a new computer, or upgrading an old one. Peter Wood OTOW Computer Club Nov. 14,2009

Transcription

1 Considerations for buying a new computer, or upgrading an old one Peter Wood OTOW Computer Club Nov. 14,2009

2 Lets buy a new computer. If you are thinking about another computer, or upgrading one.i hope you will find this informative. If you are not thinking about another computer this may be educational anyway, because the process of buying a new computer touches on many computer hardware building blocks. 2

3 A letter to PC magazine: I'm going to be needing a new computer but am torn between a Laptop or a Desktop PC. I currently have an Advent 3Ghz, 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD with Windows XP Home. I need something to at least match this performance. I do a bit of graphics, and have lots of music and photos on my computer. If I were to go for a laptop, I wouldn't know which makes/model to go for etc. Anyone know of any good manufacturers/prices/deals of either Laptops or Desktop PCs 3

4 1 st Considerations Remember-these are my opinions your process may be different but whatever you do have a process. Selecting is not hard do some research and ask around. What are your current and future needs? Edit digital photos or movies..need power Web, or tax prep less power. But consider buying as powerful a machine that you can afford you will use more resources in time as you become more savvy 4

5 Sources of info & Comparisons Consumer Reports Magazine Smart Computing Magazine PC Magazine-Reviews and comparisonswww.pcmag.com/category2/0,2806, ,00.asp 5

6 Desktop vs Laptop or Netbook: 2000-Desktops 75% of market. In 2003, laptop sales exceeded desktop sales for 1 st time. Desktops are cheaper, more reliable, have greater capacities are easier to upgrade. Desktops-larger keyboard and monitor. New technologies show up in desktops ~6 mos. before laptops. Travel a lot or like mobility at home consider a Laptop or Netbook. More on Netbooks to follow.. Evaluate your uses-then decide. 6

7 Desktop vs Laptop-differences real-or based on yesterdays designs? (CR) The only way to tell how the two types differ is to compare the latest models head to head. And for the first time in all our reporting on computers, that's exactly what we did. We bought budget-priced desktops and laptops from the leading manufacturers, configured them similarly, put them through much the same tests, and compared features and designs. 7

8 LAPTOP VS DESKTOP/CR EVENLY MATCHED HARDWARE Overall, budget desktops and laptops are nearly equally capable, though laptops cost a couple of hundred dollars more. Both types have comparable, if not identical, hardware, including CD RW and DVD drives, as well as capable graphics processors with enough horsepower for photo editing and gaming. Price aside, we did find a few differences between the two: Desktops are easier to repair, because they use standard parts that are easily bought and replaced. Because of its modular design, a desktop can still operate without a noncritical component. Laptops are filled with proprietary components that consumers can't service; any failure can put the computer totally out of commission. Given those vulnerabilities, we advise more coverage than the basic warranty provides for any laptop you expect to frequently move from place to place. 8

9 LAPTOP VS DESKTOP cont d Desktops offer better sound than laptops and more options for expansion. You can equip them with surround sound to turn your computer into an entertainment center. Laptops' main advantages are that they're more compact and can be carried and used nearly anywhere. 9

10 Hardware component decisions Let s look at the main building blocks of the computer.these are the choices you have in selecting and building a computer: The CPU/ Memory(Ram)/ Hard Drive / CD- DVD/ Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse/ Graphics card/ Operating System/ Program software 10

11 The Processor/CPU The heart of the PC carries out the instructions of the Operating System/OS. Controls everything that happens in the PC Performance determined by clock speed and its private memory. 1.7Ghz Celeron ok, better with 2 Ghz pentium 4. (Ghz=billions of clock cycles per second/ how many instructions/sec. the processor can execute) 11

12 ..more on the CPU Dual core (Core duo)= 2 CPU s on one chip. Conserves power without increasing clock speed. Core 2 duo/ 30% speed increase with almost same power consumption/ battery life and $ about same Hold out for a Core 2 duo system! 12

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14 CPU SIZE Die of an Intel 80486DX2 microprocessor (actual size: mm) in its packaging (Wikipedia) 14

15 32 BIT OR 64 BIT COMPUTING If shopping you will run into the 64 bit option. 64 bit PC s offer added responsiveness if running a lot of applications at one time and switching between them frequently. 32 bit vs. 64 bit refers to the way the CPU handles info. The 64 bit version handles large amounts of ram more effectively than a 32 bit system but If you select a 64 bit computer you may have to replace your old devices and software programs Non 64 bit drivers/software won t mix with a 64 bit PC 15

16 Windows 7/ Intel and MSoft collaboration Win 7 OS involved significant Intel/ Msoft teamwork. (Oct. Smart Computing mag.) Result: Win 7 will take advantage of the multi core processor much more efficiently. Multitasking/ boot/shutdown/sleep times improved. Improvements in power management and battery life. 16

17 MAIN ISSUES SUMMARY CPU- single core vs dual core... Core 2 duo the gold standard. 64 bit vs 32 bit. Memory at least 2GB RAM for Vista and 7, 3-4GB for long term. If the computer can get everything it wants from the fast RAM, then it won t have to go to the slow HD. Hard Drive GB-Desktop ,Laptop Consider 300+GB if video editing or DVD downloads. Use Ext. HD for backups and photos, etc. CD/DVD drives- Optical 8x DVD 17

18 And more decisions Ergonomics-Monitor-flat plate LCD preferred, $ coming down. Get a good one! High resolution, large size. Keyboard/Mouse. Graphics card- important for video applications. OS- Windows or Linux or Mac Software/ preinstalled Support/ Warranty after purchase We will build a computer at the end of this discussion with above decisions made 18

19 Why not just upgrade? Windows versions become obsolete. Win 98 & XP not supported. Can t always get Anti Virus updates. Drivers may be an issue with new hardware. Old PC s underpowered for new OS. Slow CPU. Small slow HD. Low memory,<1 GB. Extended warranties may be voided. Cost to remedy may = cost of new PC. 19

20 What about Apple/Mac s? Great for music, Movies, photos.. not games. Have sig. less stability and security issues. Macs outperform PC s and best service history! Pricey!-one mfgr.but, value. Many applications are windows only, but applications becoming more compatible. Approx 20% of non-corp. sales 20

21 What type of Computer Netbook /Pocketbook Laptop Desktop 21

22 NETBOOKS or POCKETBOOKS Typically 10 screen, 2 to 3#, 10 wide and cost $330-$450. Smaller keyboards and small HD s may be an issue. I-2GB RAM. More scrolling with smaller screen. Marketed as an additional mobile network device rather than 2 nd computer. AT&T and Verizon are offering subsidized Netbooks at $50 to $250..catch is the necessary 2 yr wireless plan. Nokia s Booklet 3G entered the market in August. Samsung ($450) and Acer ($350) are 2 best rated by CR and WSJ. Asus, Toshiba, Dell and Acer best rated by PC magazine (pcmag.com /reviews) 22

23 LAPTOPS Typically screen screens offer best balance of size, portability and price (CR) Apple-best performance & service-but pricey! range- Apple, Toshiba, Dell, Lenovo and HP best rated by CR ($450-$1000). Apple & Dell 17 best rated by CR, Toshiba, Dell, HP rated by PC magazine. Laptop reliability ( undistinguished ) vs desktop. an issue. 23

24 DESKTOPS Cheaper, more reliable, larger HD s and more memory, easier to upgrade. Larger keyboard and monitor, more ports. No lugging computers around airports! (Travel with your flash drive and/or external HD only!) CR rates: Dell best for multimedia, HP for Standard PC s and Dell and Apple for gaming and all-in one units. 24

25 CR RATINGS-TECH SUPPORT 25

26 Summary/ Configuration CPU- Core 2 Duo, 64 BIT Memory/RAM- 4 GB, 3 GB OK. Hard Drive- 300 to 400 GB Optical- 8xDVD Monitor 21 (17 Laptop) 1024x 768 Graphics card O/S Windows 7 26

27 SO, LETS DECIDE ON A COMPUTER & BUILD IT.. Drumroll Dell Desktop! (Price/Perf./Service) Dell Studio Mini- base price $550- focus on multimedia. CR rated best for multimedia application. Alternative choice- HP desktops#subcats=inspndt&navla=&a= 27

28 Retiring your old computer? Tune in November 21 next weeks presentation 28