Christmas time is quickly closing in on us and it’s a time when many families decide to upgrade their computers. We’re already being asked for specifications of what to look for: speed, memory, operating system, brand, etc. Chances are you haven’t had to look at computers in a few years and you may not know what to purchase.
First, you should know that most computer manufacturers purchase components such as hard drives, memory, motherboards, and CD drives from a close handful of manufacturers. Processors are made by two major manufacturers and operating systems are authored by one major player. With that being said, most manufacturers like eMachines, Dell, HP and Compaq all have similar designs based on industry standards.
Most new computers come with Windows 7, which I have discussed a lot lately. Manufacturers design the hardware around the operating system requirements and intent of the machine. In other words, a low end introductory machine may have Windows 7, a dual core processor, 3GB of memory and a 250GB hard drive. This is more than ample for home use.
On the other hand, a multimedia computer which will have significantly more computing power, may come equipped with Windows 7 64 bit, a quad core processor, 8GB of memory, and 2 large hard drives. If you pay attention to “bang-for-your-buck” pricing I think you’ll see that it’s not much more to purchase a better equipped computer than it is the lower end model.
I’m always being asked about warranties and how long one expects a computer to last. Most computers come standard with a one year warranty from the manufacturer. I would expect a new computer to last 3 before major repairs are needed. In 3 years you’ll find that the hard drive may start to fail along with other mechanical components inside the machine. I would not purchase an extended warranty from the store where you make your purchase. Generally, store warranties are handled by third party companies and having any success with them is difficult.
Some big box stores offer in-house setup service, data transfer plans, and other options when you make your initial purchase. Setting up a computer is VERY simple. All the cables are color coded and can only connect one way. Transferring data from one machine to another is somewhat easy using a thumb drive or hard drive if the older machine is working. Finally, when you turn on your computer it will suggest various setup options which you can disable during initial setup.
In addition to your new computer you may also consider a new flat screen monitor and other accessories to complete your new purchase. Monitors have come a long way in the last few years. I read recently that the new standard monitor size is 17 inches. Most new monitors have a very high refresh rate and resolution which makes viewing much easier. I would consider purchasing an external hard drive to backup your data in case of imminent failure.
Last but not least, you should compare prices and features between stores and brands. Each store will have different versions of similar machines. Pay attention to specifications and not brands or models. Most importantly, you should enjoy your search and make sure it’s right for your family.
Tech Tip of the week: 64 bit operating systems are quickly taking the place of 32 bit operating systems. Basically, 64 bit operating systems make better use of today’s hardware and accept a larger amount of memory.
(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. located at 509 Main St. in Gardner. You can e-mail him at Jeromy@LocalComputerWiz.com or call him directly at (978) 919-8059.)