Key Features to Look for in a New Computer

When buying a new computer there are several key features that you should look for when selecting a system.  These features and their specifications will determine how the computer is priced and what the computer will be able to do.  Most people make purchase decisions based on the popularity of the computer brand.   But nowadays the popularity of the computer brand that should no longer be the main determining factor.  For example, E-Machine originally were not know for producing reliable systems but now they produce great lower end priced machine that are quite sufficient.

The first thing that one should decide when shopping for a new computer is whether they are wanting a laptop or a desktop.  Laptop are price for the mobility of the system and not for performance.  If you are needing a system to some heavy duty computing a laptop is not recommended.  Also, if you are intending to use the laptop for more than three hours a session, then you should consider a desktop. Laptops are not really designed for everyday extended use and have batteries that quickly go bad from over-charging.

The key features to assess when shopping for a new computer are processor speed, hard drive size, RAM and video card capabilities.

HARD DRIVE:

 

 

The hard drive is where you store all the data on the computer.  Terabyte hard drives are definite affordable and recommended.  So take care to compare pricing with wanting to get the largest capacity hard drive for your money.  Another alternative is to purchase a system with a small drive and supplement you storage with external drives.  With a terabyte or larger drive as that device fills data is accessed at a slower rate.

 

PROCESSOR:

 

Do not go frugal on the processor.  The faster the better, manufacturers are producing powerful processor which will insure you from purchasing a system that within six months is obsolete.

 

 

 

 

RAM:

 

The amount of ram that you have determines how many programs you are able to run on your desktop simultaneously.  The cost of ram currently is reasonably priced take care to at least get 4 G.

 

 

 

VIDEO CARD:

 

Usually the video card that comes standard with most computer systems is sufficient to run basic games and Windows Aero, the premium visual experience resident in Windows Vista and Windows 7.  But if you are wanting to do online MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft or HD viewing and editing you probably need a better video card.  It is best to research whatever game or HD software you are wanting to use and get their minimum requirements to make sure you make the correct