| Someone recently asked me "I teach senior citizens in | | | | the more RAM you have, the better your computer |
| a community based free computer lab. They often | | | | will perform. I recommend you have a minimum 256 |
| ask what to look for when buying a computer, what | | | | megabytes (MB) of RAM, but with 512 MB you'll notice |
| software they need for email, basic Internet usage, | | | | better performance.Hard (Drive) DecisionsThe hard |
| word processing, etc. Many are on a limited budget. | | | | drive is your permanent file storage. All of your |
| What would you suggest they need as a | | | | personal files, such as word processor documents, |
| minimum?"Recommendations For a New | | | | photos, music, and emails are stored here, in addition to |
| ComputerThe good news is that computer prices | | | | software packages and the operating system. Most |
| have dropped a lot over the past few years, and the | | | | new PC's come with a hard drive that's 40 gigabytes |
| computing power you get for your money is going up! I | | | | (GB) or larger. I recommend you start with a hard drive |
| don't recommend used computers for anyone, | | | | of 80 GB or more, if you plan to keep lots of photos |
| because the rate of change of computer technology | | | | or music on your computer.Go For a Large |
| will render most systems nearly obsolete within three | | | | MonitorHere's the formula: Larger Monitor = Less |
| years. If you're a computer novice, wondering what | | | | Eyestrain and Less Scrolling. I recommend a 17-inch |
| kind of computer, monitor, hard drive, memory, and | | | | monitor, or even a 19-inch if you don't mind spending a |
| operating system to get... here's some advice to get | | | | bit more. Don't worry about brand names here, they're |
| you rolling.Windows or Mac?You may have friends, | | | | all pretty much the same. Stay away from 14 or |
| relatives or neighbors trying to pull you into the | | | | 15-inch monitors, they're just too small to be |
| "Windows vs. Mac" holy wars. In my opinion, the choice | | | | practical.What About Software?Most of the software |
| of operating system really doesn't matter. From a | | | | you need will come pre-installed on your new PC. |
| beginner's perspective, each has point & click | | | | Windows comes with Internet Explorer (for web |
| interfaces that are pretty easy to use. Both will take | | | | browsing) and Outlook Express (for email). Many PC |
| you to the same Internet, and enable you to send and | | | | systems include a word processor, such as Microsoft |
| receive email. Both offer word processing, and the | | | | Word, WordPerfect, or OpenOffice. If your computer |
| documents they create are interchangeable. Because | | | | doesn't come with any of these, I suggest you |
| Windows-based computers make up 90% of the | | | | purchase Microsoft Works, which will give you MS |
| market, they are cheaper. It's the law of supply and | | | | Word, a spreadsheet similar to MS Excel, and other |
| demand in operation. And in some areas, it may be | | | | useful programs.Look for a computer that comes with |
| hard to find technical or repair support for Apple | | | | anti-virus software pre-installed. If yours doesn't come |
| Macintosh computers. So if you're budget-minded, and | | | | with any anti-virus package, check with your Internet |
| you don't have any friends willing to help you with Mac | | | | service provider to see if they offer anything for free. |
| issues, I suggest you go with a Windows-based PC.A | | | | Failing that, you can download the free AVG |
| good entry-level computer with monitor can be | | | | package.SummarySo in a nutshell, here are my |
| purchased for under $400, and sometimes you even | | | | recommendations: |
| get a printer in the deal. So what should a newbie look | | | | |
| for in terms of speed, monitor, memory and hard drive | | | | Look for a Windows XP-based PC with monitor for |
| specs? It doesn't have to be all that confusing...What | | | | around $400 |
| about Horsepower?The CPU (central processing unit, | | | | Processor: 1.5 GHz or better |
| or "processor" for short) is the brain of your computer. | | | | RAM memory: 256 MB or better |
| In general, the faster the better. Processor speeds are | | | | Hard Drive: 80 GB or better |
| measured in gigahertz (GHz) and as of this writing, the | | | | Monitor: 17-inch or larger |
| fastest models available operate at about 4 GHz. | | | | Software: Microsoft Works and AVG anti-virus |
| Entry-level machines start at about 1.5 GHz and are | | | | |
| more than adequate for web surfing, email and word | | | | Where to Buy?Look at your local computer store first, |
| processing. If you see a computer with a processor | | | | they may have some good deals and offer local |
| that has a speed specified in megahertz (MHz), steer | | | | support. Office supply and electronics stores such as |
| clear -- these are older models.Thanks for the | | | | Staples, Office Depot, and Best Buy are good options |
| MemoryThe next decision you have to make is how | | | | to explore too. If you're comfortable buying online, |
| much RAM memory you need. Don't confuse RAM | | | | check out the or offerings.BOB RANKIN ...is a tech |
| with hard drive (file storage) space. RAM is the | | | | writer and computer programmer who enjoys |
| temporary working memory that your computer uses | | | | exploring the Internet and sharing the fruit of his |
| to perform calculations and manipulate files. When you | | | | experience with others. His work has appeared in |
| open a document, it is copied from the hard drive into | | | | ComputerWorld, NetGuide, and NY Newsday. Bob is |
| RAM. As you and your word processor work on the | | | | publisher of the Internet TOURBUS newsletter, author |
| file, the modified copy exists only in RAM. When you | | | | of several computer books, and creator of the |
| save the file, it is copied from RAM back to the hard | | | | website. |
| drive, or permanent storage. And as with CPU power, | | | | |