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