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